Straight Teeth, What should they look like?

There is no normal smile because everyone has a different tooth shape, size and bone structure. This is why it is important to assess straight teeth on the basis of 32 adult, healthy, working teeth arranged correctly in the upper and lower jaws. 

Do you feel that your understanding of the term “straight teeth” is incomplete? You’re not alone because most people focus on what is visible when you smile and that is usually the front six teeth! 

Everybody cannot conform to the ideal or perfect ‘dental arrangement’ because of differences in tooth shape, size, bone structure and racial characteristics. However, aesthetic professionals agree that there is no ‘normal’ because of this variability! When analysed from different viewpoints there are some key features that need to be demonstrated for your orthodontist to be satisfied that your teeth are straight. Here we lay them out for you in plain language.

In the diagram, the midline (the dashed blue line) between the two middle upper and lower front teeth should coincide. Preferably this dental midline should coincide with the center-line of the face.

All the teeth that appear in aesthetic zone (green box) should be in a balanced relationship with each other.

Your biting edges of the teeth need not be straight, it is perfectly natural for your teeth to form a contoured pattern, such as illustrated by the red line.

When your teeth are together the upper teeth should overlap the lowers no more than 30%. 

Why You Should See An Orthodontist

To have the best and healthiest smile you can have.

Get it by relying on orthodontists’ expertise, which comes from their extensive education. After graduating from dental school, orthodontists go on for another two or more years of education just in orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Orthodontists are dedicated to helping your teeth and jaws work in union so that you can speak, bite and chew comfortably and effectively. There’s a bonus. Teeth and jaws that work well tend to look good, too.

To both feel good and look good.

With care from an orthodontist, you have an expert who has been educated to understand how your teeth, your jaws and your facial muscles all work together. A healthy mouth contributes to your overall good health. Your appearance gets a boost, too.

To get the specialized treatment you deserve.

You trust your heart to a cardiologist, your skin to a dermatologist, your knees to an orthopedist. Like these specialists who study their specialty areas after their general medical education, orthodontists devote additional years of study to orthodontics after they graduate from dental school. And like their medical counterparts, orthodontists limit their practices to their specialty area. Orthodontists have in-depth experience in orthodontic care. They use their knowledge and skills to help you get the best results possible.

To get your bite right.

Your bite is a complex biologic system. Its components include up to 32 teeth, upper and lower jaws, gums and facial muscles. Your healthy bite is the orthodontist’s goal. The goal is met by making sure the separate elements are positioned for optimal performance. You enjoy the ability to bite, chew and speak well.

To solve the problem.

You may see six crooked front teeth. The orthodontist sees the cause of crooked teeth in three dimensions. Orthodontists use their education, experience and expertise to delve deep to discover the root of your orthodontic problem. Armed with a diagnosis that takes all factors into account, orthodontists can plan your solution—one that delivers a healthy, attractive smile and a lasting result.

To recommend the right treatment for you.

There are a lot of treatment options these days, from clear aligners to modern braces. They each have their uses, but only an orthodontist has the specialized knowledge to identify and plan for all the variables in your mouth. Orthodontists take your unique needs and wishes into consideration, too, when recommending the right treatment option for you. Orthodontists have knowledge of the full range of orthodontic appliance “tools.” They know what to use and when to use it because they work with these tools every day.

To address the big picture.

Sure, you want a dazzling smile. Your orthodontist wants that for you, too—and treatment results that last. You deserve the best—a good bite and a healthy, beautiful smile. Consult an orthodontist for your life, your health, your happiness, your smile.

Orthodontics? What is it?

Orthodontics? What is it?

The term Orthodontics comes from the Greek words "orthos" meaning straight or correct and "dontia" which means relating to teeth.

Dentistry has many branches and specialties. Orthodontics is the specialty which treats abnormalities of the bite and jaws in children and adults. Improvements in the appearance of teeth, smile and face are among the cosmetic benefits derived from orthodontic treatment.

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who works to prevent or correct misaligned teeth and jaws, which are called malocclusions or faulty occlusions. A person may seek the services of an orthodontist for cosmetic reasons as well as health reasons. Beside the insecurity and low self esteem that dental irregularities may cause, they can also affect a person’s ability to chew and speak. Severely misaligned teeth and jaws can cause snoring, sleep apnea and other breathing problems.

It is estimated that more than half of the US population has misaligned or irregular teeth and jaws. The severity and types of these faulty occlusions differ in their presentations and include cross bites, open bites, over and under bites and many more. An orthodontist is also instrumental in correcting the teeth and jaws in babies born with cleft lips or cleft palates.

The techniques that an orthodontist uses depend on his or her diagnosis. Diagnoses are usually made by taking x-rays and by having the patient bite down onto a mold to determine the specific alignment of his or her teeth. Correction methods might include braces, invisalign, retainers or other special devices to realign or guide incoming teeth.

Children and adults should visit the orthodontist for a specialized analysis of the teeth, bite and jaws because orthodontists can help prevent, diagnose and treat these irregularities.

Understanding Smiles and Faces

Expressions communicate our emotions and are read by others around us to assess our mood or reaction. Even when we purposefully mask our true feelings we can be betrayed by involuntary subliminal facial signals which indicate the opposite of what we intend others to think. Some people, usually extrovert types, are more expressive and show more animation in their faces. Research has shown that some facial expressions can be learnt or faked - comedians and actors utilize their expressive talents to mimic various human emotional conditions and we as the audience are 'face readers.'
Once our teeth are revealed in a smile, we are communicating positively and powerfully. It can feel like baring of the soul. Not surprisingly, we feel more comfortable if the teeth are straight, white and healthy. Research has suggested that there are around eighteen 'varieties of smiles' and the best ones involve an element of tooth show. We hope this blog and future blogs gives you the information you need to understand your teeth, your smile, your mouth and to understand the role of dental professionals and the difference that orthodontics can make to you and the way you live your life.

Prevent Accidents, But Know What To Do If One Occurs

Mouth guards are one of the least expensive pieces of protective gear available. They can help prevent or minimize tooth and jaw injuries. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends mouth guards be worn any time the teeth could come into contact with a ball, a hard object, another player or the pavement. The recommendation applies to organized sports as well as leisure activities like bicycling.


If a mouth guard is not worn and an injury occurs, follow these first aid tips.

Broken Tooth

-Clean the injured area and put an ice pack on the lip or gum.
-Cover any exposed area with sterile gauze.
-Save the tip of the tooth (for possible reattachment) and call your family or pediatric dentist right away.
-Store the tooth fragment in water.

Loosened Tooth

an accident can cause a tooth to come loose from the socket. a tooth can be:
Pushed into the socket (intruded)
Knocked part way out of the socket (extruded)
Pushed sideways, but still in the socket (luxated)

-Apply an ice pack to the injury.
-You may attempt to gently push an extruded tooth back into the socket.
-Call your family or pediatric dentist for immediate attention. Early stabilization is the best chance for the tooth to reattach itself.


Knocked Out Permanent Tooth Time is Critical

A tooth might be saved if cared for properly and reimplanted as soon as possible.
Timely treatment may improve the chances of reattaching an injured tooth.

-Call your family or pediatric dentist for immediate attention.
-Locate the tooth; hold it by the crown (the wide part, not the pointed end/root).
-Remove large pieces of debris but avoid rubbing or touching the root.
-Rinse the tooth. Do not scrub. If using a sink, be sure to put the plug in the sink so that the tooth will not go down the drain if it is dropped.
-Attempt to gently put the clean tooth back in its socket. Cover with gauze or tissue and bite down to stabilize it, if possible, or hold the tooth in its
socket until seen by the dentist.
-If the tooth cannot be put back into its socket, store the tooth in liquid until you see the dentist. Put the tooth in milk or sterile saline solution (contact lens solution with no preservatives). Do not soak or store the tooth in water because water will kill the cells on the root that are vital for successful reimplantation. If milk or saline solution are unavailable, the tooth can be stored in the cheek where saliva will help provide vitality to the root surface. If stored in the cheek, be careful not to swallow the tooth.
-Do not let the tooth dry out.

Jaw Injury

If teeth appear to fit together properly when the mouth is closed:

-Apply ice to control swelling.
-Restrict diet to soft foods and if no improvement occurs within 24 hours, seek dental care to rule out subtle injuries.
-If in doubt at any time, contact your dentist or seek medical attention.

If teeth do not fit together properly when the mouth is closed:

-Seek emergency medical attention.