Janet Lorraine Jordan, DDS

A dentist should be able to identify a problem but the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that an orthodontist examine a child's teeth by the time they are 7 years old, even while baby teeth are still in the mouth. It is an orthodontists specialty to evaluate patients for proper oral and tooth development and they can certainly help if a problem is detected.

Do see an orthodontist in your area. Catching an issue early might be as simple as having a retainer made to resist any further movement or potentially to correct any minor crowding. Invisalign or removable clear tray type treatment may also be an option that would work really well for you. Unfortunately, if your teeth are shifting again, then more than likely they will continue to move over time, leading to a much more extensive situation.

Research shows that thumb sucking after the age of four or five can change the shape of a persons jaws in a way that can lead to improper positioning of the teeth. If your child is under the age of four, thumb sucking doesn’t usually present a problem. If they are over age three and you are worried their sucking may be hurting their teeth don't hesitate to ask your dentist or visit an orthodontist who can evaluate your child's teeth. Most orthodontists are happy to offer a complimentary evaluation free of charge.

Although some people do have their permanent teeth grow in crooked, it is something that you should have your local orthodontist take a look at. Typically, crooked back teeth will not improve on their own. A visit with an orthodontist should clarify for you what is going on for you and if he needs help, the orthodontist should be able to advise you as to what can be done to fix it. Most orthodontists will evaluate patients free of charge.

Have you discussed this with your orthodontist? That should be your first step. Your doctor should be able to evaluate you and address your concerns.

Zirconia braces are a type of braces that are meant to be less noticeable than metal braces. They are a type of ceramic braces that offer a more cosmetic approach to treatment without significant functional compromises. They are durable, cosmetic, and the risk of discoloration is minimal. Zirconia is a mineral extracted from beach sands of Australia. The partially stabilized Zirconium developed from this sand is known to be a highly stress-resistant material. Similar to other ceramic braces, Zirconia brackets have good fracture toughness, which means, they will not break easily. Polycrystalline Zirconia brackets are known to be a little more opaque than other ceramic brackets though and can exhibit some intrinsic colors.

I am sorry to learn of your worry. Please know that if you are feeling unsure about this next step, you should not be afraid to discuss this thoroughly with your dentist. This is understandably a very big decision and you should not proceed until you are confident that this is indeed the right choice for you and that you have had an opportunity to ask any and all questions you might have. In addition, you may want to seek a second opinion. Please know that extraction of teeth in conjunction with braces is a procedure that is occasionally necessary to provide the best and most healthy outcome for an individual. I hope that you find this answer helpful and wish you all the best with your decision and with your treatment.

It is really hard to answer your question without fully knowing what your occlusion is like, but in short, there are situations where it would be appropriate to have braces on the top teeth only. Your Orthodontist should be able to advise you best.