Before and After

Interceptive Orthodontics:

Orthopedic, or skeletal correction, achieved with appliances that correct underlying skeletal discrepancies either before or in conjunction with traditional orthodontic therapy.

Case 1: This six year old patient presented with a crossbite and an openbite due to a previous thumb sucking habit. She wore a removable expander for correction, and was then placed on observation for braces to be placed when all her permanent teeth were erupted.

Case 2: This patient had an underbite. His bite was “jumped” with a removable expander. He is currently on observation for braces to be placed when all of his permanent teeth are erupted

Case 3: This patient was treated at an early age for an underbite with a removable expander, and then had full orthodontic treatment with braces to detail his bite.

Case 4:This patient had a severe underbite, primarily due to a deficient upper jaw. She wore a facemask, or reverse-pull headgear to a fixed expander, for the period of a year, to pull the upper jaw gently forward.

Case 5: This patient was treated with a Twin-block appliance to help facilitate the growth of his short lower jaw. His bite was then detailed with braces.

Case 6: This patient was treated with a M.A.R.A. to help facilitate lower jaw growth in conjunction with traditional braces to detail his bite.

Case 7: This patient was treated with a Twin-block appliance to help facilitate the growth of his short lower jaw. His bite was then detailed with braces.

Traditional braces:

If there are no underlying skeletal issues (i.e. a narrow top jaw or small lower jaw), the appropriate age for orthodontics is around age 12, or when all of the permanent teeth have erupted. There are many benefits to orthodontic treatment. The following pictures illustrate how orthodontics will provide a beautiful smile. Please follow our why do I need braces link to learn more about other benefits of orthodontic treatment.

Case 8: This patient has a narrow upper arch and dental crossbites on both sides. In addition, he exhibited moderate to severe crowding, and an overbite. He was treated with traditional braces, without pulling teeth.

Case 9: This patient presented with posterior open-bite and cross-bite on her right side, and an anterior open-bite tendency due to poor tongue posture, with moderate crowding of her upper dentition. She was treated with traditional braces, without extractions.

Case 10: This patient was treated with traditional braces to treat crowding, a deep overbite, and to detail the relationship of her posterior teeth.

Case 11: This patient was treated with traditional braces to treat severe crowding due to premature loss of her right baby canine, a deep overbite, and to detail the relationship of her posterior teeth.

Case 12: Due to the presence of a dental crossbite on her right side, and a significant overbite, this patient had traditional braces in order to achieve her beautiful smile.

Case 13: This patient exhibited severe crowding due of premature loss of all of his baby canines. He had a upper TPA and lower lip bumper to preserve and create space for the eruption of his permanent teeth, resulting in a great outcome without the extraction of any permanent teeth.

Case 14: This famous patient was treated with traditional braces for a narrow top jaw and some minor crowding issues.

Dental Extractions

At times, removal of permanent teeth is necessary to achieve the best result for a patient. Our preventative and interceptive modalities attempt to avoid extraction of teeth; however, based on the patients facial profile and amount of crowding, dental extractions can be a great choice for the success of orthodontic treatment, when needed, as evidenced by the following patients.

Case 15: This patient had all four of her first premolars removed to bring more balance to her facial profile, and to alleviate crowding issues.

Case 16: The patient has severe crowding of his upper and lower arches, and was beginning to develop gum and bone loss at a young age. Dental extraction afforded him a healthier supporting structure for his teeth, and a beautiful smile.

Case 17: This patient had a reasonably balanced face and a functioning bite. However, she was missing two lower premolars. Two upper premolars were extracted, helping with facial balance, correction of archforms, and detailing her occlusion. This method of treatment also avoided the need for future prosthodontic replacement of missing teeth.

Case 18: This patient ahad 4 premolars removed to help with facial balance and lip closure.

Case 19: This patient also had four premolars removed to improve her facial balance; however, she had all of her 2nd premolars (closer to the back of her mouth)  removed to ensure that her facial change would not be too dramatic.

Adult Orthodontics

About 40% of our practice population consists of adults seeking orthodontic treatment. Now more than ever, adults understand that crooked teeth and a bad bite can contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay, abnormal wear of the tooth enamel, headaches and jaw joint (TMJ/TMD) pain. Please follow our adult orthodontics link to learn more.

Case 20: The patient has moderate crowding of her upper and lower dental arches, and a narrow smile. She had traditional braces to treat her bite.

Case 21: This patient had a severe deep bite, cross bite, and crowding. She had traditional braces to open her deep bite and alleviate her crowding. This improved her ability to maintain good oral hygeine, and provided her with better dental function and a more pleasant smile.

Case 22: This gentleman had traditional braces with removal of four premolars due to severe dental crowding.

Orthognathic surgery

In patients with poor skeletal harmony, surgery may be required to establish correct jaw relationships, in addition to orthodontic therapy, for the best possible result. Please read our surgical orthodontics section for more information.

Case 23: This patient presented with an “underbite” due to deficient growth of her upper jaw (maxilla). She had orthognathic surgery to correct her jaw relationship by moving her top jaw forward, and her bottom jaw back. Braces were used throughout treatment to detail her bite as needed.

Case 24: This patient presented with a skeletal open bite, retrusive and narrow upper jaw, and a deficient lower jaw and chin. She had orthognathic surgery to correct her skeletal abnormality in conjunction with braces.

Case 25: This patient had previous premolar extraction and orthodontics; yet, she was not pleased. This was due to the fact that she had a lower jaw that was too short in length. She underwent orthognathic surgery to position the bottom jaw forward, and braces to detail her bite.

Case 26: This patient had a lower jaw deficiency which required surgery. She too underwent orthognathic surgery to  correct her jaw relationships incombination with braces for bite detailing.

Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)

Dr. Farhad Moshiri has successfully treated TMJ dysfunction patients for over 30 years. TMD can occur for many reasons, and can seriously impair ones quality of life. For more information, please read our TMJ dysfunction section.

Case 27: This patient presented with bilateral symptoms of headaches and locking of her jaw. She underwent splint therapy an initial phase of treatment, and then jaw surgery and braces to fix her skeletal underbite.

Case 28: This patient presented with symptoms of bilateral joint pain and chronic headaches and a historyy of previous orthodontic therapy. She underwent orthognathic surgery after splint therapy to correct her jaw and bite relationships.

Case 29: This patient presented with chronic headaches, reduced opening of her mouth, and muscle pain. She underwent braces for bite correction and prosthetic build-up (veneers) of her anterior teeth for a more functional and esthetic bite relationship.

Craniofacial Abnormalities

Moshiri Orthodontics welcomes the opportunity to treat and care for patients with craniofacial abnormalities. Treatment involves a team of specialists, in addition to an orthodontist, to achieve the best result. Please visit our craniofacial abnormality section for more information.

Case 30: This patient presented with craniofacial microsomia. After multiple surgeries and orthodontics, he was able to achieve his final result.