Mission City Orthodontics

Should you see an Orthodontist?
--- a simple test.

There's no reason anyone should go through life with anything less than a beautiful smile. Below are some simple questions that, when answered candidly, can help determine if you should seek a professional evaluation by an orthodontist. A licensed orthodontist has gone through four years of college, four years of dental school and two or more years of orthodontic school, specializing in growth and development of the jaws and teeth.

These questions point out some of the more obvious signs that orthodontic care would be of great benefit-though bear in mind this is no substitute for a complete examination and evaluation. After answering these questions, if you have any doubts or concerns, please call our office for answers or to schedule an exam. While we normally start evaluating our patients at the age of seven to chart the development of their teeth and jaws, we treat patients of all ages. It is never too late to have a beautiful smile and healthy bite.


Do your (or your child's) top teeth protrude or are they bucked?
Do top front teeth cover more than 25% of the bottom teeth?
Do you (or your child) cover your teeth or smile with your hands?
Are there crowded, overlapped, or misplaced teeth?
Are there spaces between teeth or are there extra teeth?
Do top front teeth grow in behind the bottom front teeth?
Is there a space between the top and bottom teeth?
Do some teeth not meet at all?
Are your child's baby teeth falling out too early or very late?
Do the centers of the top and bottom front teeth not line up?
Is there often biting of the cheek or roof of the mouth?
Is there difficulty chewing or biting with teeth that don't meet?
Do teeth wear unevenly?
Do your (or your child's) jaws shift off center when the teeth bite together?
Is there evidence of a weak chin or a prominent chin?
Do you (or your child) have difficulty brushing or flossing?
Do your (or your child's) lips not touch when the mouth is closed?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is a strong possibility that problems exist that are easily corrected with orthodontic care. Please call our office to find out how we can help you, or someone you love, have a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.

We build beautiful smiles and healthy bites.