Orthodontist Greenwich Village | Orthodontic Treatment Lower Manhattan

Orthodontic Treatment in Downtown Manhattan

Having to live with crooked teeth is a thing of the past, especially when you live in Downtown Manhattan. You have access to the best orthodontic provider in the City, one who’s also among the best cosmetic dentists in New York. Specializing in adult orthodontics, Dr. Alex Shalman runs a boutique dental practice, which means that he has the bandwidth to provide you with exceptional personalized care and treatment. If you have gaps between your teeth that require a specially trained expert in the use of Invisalign aligners, call Dr. Shalman. If you need orthodontic treatment in the form of implants, you’ve found an experienced implant specialist. Call today for a consultation.

What Kind of Dentistry Is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that specializes in treating teeth that aren’t lined up correctly, a condition known as malocclusion. Sometimes orthodontics is recommended for strictly cosmetic reasons, but teeth that aren’t lined up properly or don’t fit together correctly can cause dental health issues. Malocclusion can lead to a tooth decay, tooth loss and gum disease. The stress from chewing improperly can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and headaches.

What Dental Problems Require Orthodontic Treatment?

During your bi-annual examination and routine teeth cleaning, Dr. Shalman may suggest that you consider adult orthodontics. Alternatively, you’re welcome to visit the Lower Manhattan boutique dental practice if you feel like your teeth suffer from malocclusion.

Your NYC dentist performs a thorough exam including x-rays. Based on this information, he can tell you if you’d benefit from orthodontic treatment.

There are several types of malocclusion problems that may benefit significantly from orthodontics, including:

Spacing. This is when you have large spaces or gaps between teeth.
Crowding. Sometimes, you have too many teeth for them all to grow in properly.
Overbite. When your front teeth protrude over the lower teeth, it can cause problems.
Underbite. This is a condition where your lower teeth jut too far forward.
Crossbite. This happens when your upper teeth aren’t in front of the lower teeth when your mouth is closed.

When you don’t like the way your teeth look, it can affect your self-esteem. Even if your teeth weren’t corrected when you were a child, it’s not too late to have your teeth adjusted with adult orthodontics. Today’s treatment is less noticeable and more comfortable for people of all ages than it’s ever been before, thanks to Invisalign.

How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work?

For most orthodontic treatments, your misaligned teeth are moved by placing gentle, controlled force on them. It’s an intricate process that involves changes to soft tissue, facial bones and jaw bones as your teeth are slowly moved to a new, correct position.

The procedure is done using fixed or removable devices, such as:

Braces. Using brackets and wires, traditionally made of metal, braces move the teeth by tightening the wire attached to the brackets that are fixed directly to the teeth.
Fixed or removable space maintainers. These dental devices are used to keep space open between teeth.
Fixed or removable appliances. Orthodontic devices are used for a variety of reasons, such as widening the jaw or pushing or pulling teeth to correct bite problems. They may also be used to keep teeth from moving.

Dr. Shalman is a trained expert in the most popular use of clear aligners and Invisalign. Through his boutique Downtown Manhattan practice, you get the best treatment and follow-up for a successful Invisalign process.

You can trust Dr. Shalman to explain everything clearly, including:

What Are Other Orthodontic Options?

Orthodontic treatment may also include tooth extraction if overcrowding is part of your problem. On the other hand, when you’re missing one or more teeth, the gap left from a missing tooth can attract neighboring teeth, throwing off your bite. Additionally, a missing tooth does nothing to prevent bone loss.

Fortunately, you have options to replace missing teeth, including:

There are significant differences between dentures and denture implants. Both dental solutions require multiple visits to your dentist. Dr. Shalman is an implant specialist and can tell you if you’re a good candidate for one.

Where Can You Get Orthodontic Treatment in NYC?

If you have crooked teeth or a poor bite, Dr. Shalman makes sure that your teeth work the way they should, which makes it easier for you to talk, bite and chew. You’ll have healthier teeth, along with an improved appearance, too. The length of time needed for treatment varies depending on what needs to be corrected. Schedule your dentist appointment today to get started!