Common Conditions Treated with Orthodontics
Common Conditions Treated with Orthodontics
Helping Kids, Teens & Adults Smile With Confidence
Orthodontics isn’t just about straight teeth — it’s about creating healthy bites, balanced facial structure, and long-term oral wellness. At Oakton Family Orthodontics, we treat a wide variety of orthodontic conditions in patients of all ages, using personalized treatment plans that go far beyond one-size-fits-all braces.
If you’ve noticed something off with your or your child’s bite or smile — or your dentist has mentioned a concern — we’re here to help.
Conditions We Commonly Treat
Crowding
Crowding (crooked teeth) happens when there isn’t enough space in the jaw for all of the teeth to fit properly. This can make it hard to clean teeth and may lead to misalignment or damage over time.
How We Fix It:
Braces or aligners can gently guide the teeth into better alignment. In some cases, we may recommend early treatment or expansion to create more room for adult teeth.
Spacing
Too much space (gaps) between the teeth — especially between the front teeth — can affect function and aesthetics. Gaps can also occur when teeth are missing, undersized or when there is a habit like thumb-sucking.
How We Fix It:
We use braces or clear aligners to close gaps and align the bite, creating a more uniform and functional smile.
Overbite (Deep Bite)
An overbite means the upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth. In deep bites, the lower teeth may even bite into the roof of the mouth.
How We Fix It:
We use braces, aligners, and sometimes growth guidance appliances to balance the bite and protect the teeth and gums from long-term damage.
Underbite
An underbite happens when the lower jaw extends beyond the upper jaw, causing the lower teeth to sit in front of the upper ones.
How We Fix It:
If caught early, we may use growth guidance appliances like a reverse-pull headgear or jaw-correcting devices. In older patients, jaw surgery may be necessary, but we’ll always explore non-surgical options first such as braces or clear aligners.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when some of the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth rather than outside. This can affect the front teeth (anterior crossbite), back teeth (posterior crossbite), or both.
How We Fix It:
Treatment may include a palatal expander, braces, or clear aligners — depending on the severity and patient’s age. Correcting crossbites helps prevent tooth wear and jaw shifting or asymmetry over time.
Open Bite
With an open bite, the front teeth don’t touch when the back teeth are closed — which can affect speech, chewing, and facial development.
How We Fix It:
We may use braces or aligners along with habit correction or growth guidance appliances. In some adult cases, jaw surgery may be needed — but we will explore all other options first.
Mouth Breathing & Airway Concerns
Mouth breathing, snoring, or chronic fatigue in kids can sometimes be linked to narrow jaws and airway obstruction. Orthodontic treatment can play a powerful role in improving breathing and sleep quality.
How we fix it: Airway-friendly orthodontic care may include expanders, growth appliances, or early interceptive treatment to improve jaw development and nasal airflow.
Early or Late Tooth Loss
Losing baby teeth too early (or too late) can impact how and where adult teeth come in — often leading to alignment issues.
How we fix it: We monitor timing carefully and may recommend space maintainers or early intervention to guide proper tooth eruption.
Not Sure What You’re Seeing? That’s What We’re Here For.
You don’t need to know the exact name of the issue — if you’ve noticed crooked teeth, difficulty chewing, jaw shifts, or changes in how your child’s face is growing, it’s worth getting a professional evaluation.
Get Peace of Mind With a Free Consultation
The sooner we identify and treat orthodontic issues, the better the outcomes. At Oakton Family Orthodontics, we make it easy to get started — with free new patient consultations, expert evaluations, and a warm, supportive team who loves helping families.
Located in Oakton, VA — proudly serving Vienna, Fairfax, Oak Hill, Merrifield, Tysons Corner, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Burke, Chantilly, McLean, Falls Church, and surrounding communities
Let’s build a healthy, confident smile — together.