Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry focused on correcting irregularities of the teeth and jaw, especially in how they align and fit together. There are several orthodontic treatment options available, and our team of Drs. Brody Hildebrand and Cliff Alexander

 

We can also correct problems with the alignment of the bite, including overbite, underbite, open bite, and crossbite. Orthodontic treatment is now faster, more comfortable, and more effective than in years past, making now a great time to straighten your smile.

 

While many patients think of orthodontics as an effective way to improve the aesthetics of their smile, orthodontic treatment can also be very beneficial to your oral health and function. Correctly aligned teeth are generally at a lower risk for dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease, and orthodontics can also make it easier for you to chew, eat, and speak properly. To learn more about orthodontics and the treatment

Orthodontic braces are a treatment option that can help you achieve a smile that is straighter and healthier. One of the most common orthodontic treatments available for children and adults. We have tooth colored as well as metal braces that can work to improve your smile by gradually, gently realigning your teeth.

 

Our dentists may use braces to give you the straight, strong smile you deserve. Aside from their aesthetic benefits, straight teeth can relieve pressure on your bite and make your oral hygiene routine simpler. Dr. Hildebrand and Dr. Alexander urge you to schedule a consultation with our team at Preston Hollow Specialists if you are interested in braces in Dallas, Texas.

Braces are an orthodontic treatment option that can help you achieve a smile that is straighter and healthier. One of the most common orthodontic treatments available, braces work to improve your smile by gradually, gently realigning your teeth. Braces consist of a system of metal brackets, wires, and bands. The brackets are attached to the front of your teeth and are connected to each other through the use of a metal wire and bands. As we adjust the wire, the braces guide your teeth to their ideal positions in your smile. Ceramic braces are also often available, which are the same color as your teeth for a more discreet orthodontic option.

If you would like to straighten your teeth, our dentists may recommend Invisalign to give you your ideal smile. These aligners can be removed at any time, which allows for simpler eating. Our dentists, Dr. Hildebrand and Dr. Alexander, invite you to contact us at Preston Hollow Specialists if you would like more information about how we can help you with Invisalign in Dallas, Texas.

We are committed to treating all of your orthodontic problems so you can reach a smile that is straighter, healthier, more functional, and more attractive. Some of the most common orthodontic problems we see at our office include the following:

Overbite
In an overbite, the upper front teeth extend out over the lower front teeth. This sometimes causes the lower front teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth.

Underbite
An underbite occurs when the lower jaw extends out, resulting in the lower front teeth sitting in front of the upper front teeth.

Open Bite 
An open bite is characterized by upper and lower front teeth that do not overlap. This often causes problems with proper chewing, and it may also contribute to other unwanted habits like tongue thrusting.

Crossbite
In a crossbite, the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. This may result in tooth stratification and misaligned jaw growth.

Our orthodontists often use growth modification devices that can be removable or fixed. They guide the path of the bone and teeth to help position them in an ideal location to support facial esthetics.

Unlike traditional braces, our orthodontists use removable appliances to keep your teeth in their corrected positions or to guide the growth of your jaws to make changes to your facial structure. Furthermore, they are frequently used before fixed appliances are installed or while they are installed.

 

However, removable appliances should not be used to treat every orthodontic problem. When relying on these appliances, it is important to recognize conditions and factors that will either cause the success or failure of the appliance. Timing is also an important factor that must be considered when deciding if a removable appliance is right for you.

 

Drs. Brody Hildebrand and Cliff Alexander can use removable appliances and urge you to follow the instructions that they give to ensure that your treatment goes as successfully as possible. For example, if a patient removes their appliance too frequently, their teeth, muscles, or jaws could shift back to their original places. It is also extremely important to care for your appliance properly. Our team at Preston Hollow Specialists will gladly instruct you on how to care for your appliance.

 

If you have any questions about the benefits of a removable appliance in Dallas, Texas, we invite you to contact us today. We are excited to help you have and maintain the functioning, beautiful smile you have always wanted.

A retainer is a custom-made oral appliance often used to maintain the alignment of your teeth after orthodontic treatment. If you have finished your orthodontic treatment, such as braces, our dentist may recommend a retainer to keep your smile properly aligned. As you age, your teeth tend to shift; the retainer ensures that your teeth remain in correct alignment for optimal oral health, functionality, and appearance. There are three main types of retainers available:

 

Hawley retainers consist of wires and clasps embedded in a plastic body that covers the roof of the mouth (for the upper arch) or lies along the tongue side of the teeth (for the lower arch). The clasps fit around certain teeth to anchor the retainer in place, while the wire arches across the front of the teeth to maintain their alignment.

 

Clear retainers are made of clear plastic and fit snugly over the teeth. A clear retainer is usually more discreet than a Hawley retainer, although it may not be as durable.

 

Fixed retainers also called bonded or permanent retainers, are permanently attached to the backside of the front teeth. This prevents the teeth from shifting out of place, and it can only be removed by your dentist.

At Preston Hollow Specialists, our team offers care to patients at any age, starting with children as young as 6 years old. However, Before Drs. Brody Hildebrand and Cliff Alexander can begin your treatment, our dentists must diagnose the condition of your mouth. This examination generally includes taking X-rays, impressions, and photographs. After we have gathered this information, we will be able to classify any imperfection in the positioning of your smile.

Depending on your situation, our dentists will be able to categorize your face or teeth into one of three categories. Depending on your needs, your face itself can be classified into one of the following three classes:

Class 1: This class of skeletal face position is characterized by good facial symmetry and harmony

Class 2: This class of skeletal face position routinely requires orthodontic treatment along with growth modification and at times surgical intervention.

Class 3: This class of skeletal face position routinely requires orthodontic treatment along with growth modification and often surgical treatments to fully correct.

Your teeth can be categorized similarly.

Class 1: This class describes a normal bite or balance.

Class 2: This class describes lower teeth that are further back than your upper jaw.

Class 3: This class is used to describe a condition occurring when your lower teeth are moved too far forward.

Dr. Hildebrand and Dr. Sanovich invite you to contact us today if you would like more information about how your face and teeth may be classified in Dallas, Texas. We are eager to help you have the ideal smile you have always wanted.

Impacted & Missing Teeth

How can I treat an impacted tooth?

An impacted tooth (or a tooth that does not erupt or only partially erupts) can cause improper positioning. Impactions can also be caused by the loss of a primary tooth or by crowding. Wisdom teeth are the most common teeth to become impacted, but canines and premolars may also become impacted. Our dentists recommend that you correct impacted teeth before they can:

Damage the roots of nearby teeth

Create unwanted spaces

Wear down adjacent teeth

Cause asymmetric alignment

Fortunately, our team can usually treat an impacted tooth by exposing it and carefully bringing the tooth into place with one of several methods.

What can I do for a missing tooth?

Another reason why your tooth may not have grown in correctly is because the tooth itself is missing from your jawbone. A tooth may be missing because of trauma or simply because it did not develop. If your tooth is missing, Dr. Hildebrand and Dr. Alexander may recommend one of many restorations to return your smile to its ideal health, appearance, and comfort. Our team at Preston Hollow Specialists invites you to contact us today if you would like more information about your treatment options for impacted teeth in Dallas, Texas.

Crowding & Spacing of Teeth

What is crowding?

If your teeth are twisted or displaced, you may suffer from crowding. This condition occurs when your teeth are larger than the space you have available, when you lose your teeth, and when your tooth erupts prematurely. If it is not treated, crowding can lead to several problems, such as:

Damage to your temporomandibular joint (or TMJ)

Difficulty cleaning your teeth

A higher chance for gum disease or tooth decay

Increased wear on your teeth

Our team can combat crowding by extracting a troublesome tooth or by expanding your arches. After we have allowed for more space, Dr. Hildebrand and Dr. Alexander can utilize braces to give you the straight teeth you deserve.

What is spacing?

Spacing is essentially the opposite of crowding. Instead of having little room for your teeth, your mouth has too much space. This can be caused when your teeth are missing or when they are impacted. This difficulty can lead to several similar problems. This problem can typically be resolved by moving your teeth together and aligning them properly. Our dentists invite you to contact us at Preston Hollow Specialists today if you would like more information dental crowding or about tooth spacing in Dallas, Texas.