At Darmitzel Orthodontics we want you to have an exceptional experience and get to show off some exceptional results when your done. We provide patients with several options to achieve the results they want and offer metal braces, clear braces and Invisalign.

The gallery below shows treatment results of common orthodontic problems we encounter on a daily basis. All case type examples are of patients treated by Dr. Stephen Darmitzel. Click the links below to explore treatment types.
 

Adolescent/Adult Treatment Cases | Early Treatment Cases
 

Adolescent & Adult Orthodontic Treatment

Case 1: Crowding 

This case is a good example of crowding characterized by blocked-out canines and a lateral incisor in x-bite. It was managed with braces and elastics. Treatment time was 18 months.

Case 2: Crowding 

This is a good example of a case presenting the severe crowding. This case was managed with braces, elastics and extractions to gain space to align the teeth and correct the bite. Treatment time was 26 months.

Case 3: Crowding corrected with Invisalign

This is a great example of a case with moderate crowding treated with Invisalign. Invisalign is a removable clear aligner system that moves teeth like braces. Treatment time was 14 months.

Case 4: Spacing 

This a typical example of simple spacing involving the upper incisors that was corrected with braces. 

Case 5: Overbite 

This is an example a large overbite in combination with upper arch spacing and incisor protrusion corrected with braces, elastics and auxiliary appliances.

An overbite exists when the upper front teeth extend excessively past the lower front teeth. Patients with large overbites sometimes have difficulty eating and are susceptible to wear of the back teeth because the front teeth do not contribute functionally. Overbites are the most common bite problem we encounter.

Case 6: Underbite 

This is an example of a large underbite corrected with braces, elastics and auxiliary appliances.

An underbite exists when the lower front teeth are positioned in front of the upper front teeth. This bite problem can also be destructive to the teeth and gums and can sometimes require more than just braces for correction. This particular case was started when primary teeth were still present due to the severity of the bite.

Case 7: Deep bite 

This is a great example of a deep overbite and crowding corrected with braces and elastics.

A deep overbite exists when the vertical overlap of the front teeth is excessive.  This condition typically causes significant wear to the upper and lower front teeth with time. This is a very common bite problem that often goes undiagnosed and untreated until later in life when the tooth wear eventually needs to be addressed.

Case 8: Open bite

This is an example of an open bite corrected with braces and elastics.

An open bite occurs when the front teeth do not overlap vertically. It causes difficulty biting into foods and tends to allow significant wear to the back teeth with time.

Case 9: Impactions 

This is an example of an impacted upper premolar and canine. Impactions are corrected during orthodontic treatment with braces and auxiliary appliances as needed.

An impaction occurs when a permanent tooth fails to erupt because it is displaced or blocked out be neighboring teeth. Impacted teeth are at risk for causing damage to adjacent structures and benefit from orthodontic alignment to place them in healthy positions. The most commonly impacted teeth are the upper canines.

 

Early (Interceptive) Orthodontic Treatment

While most patients are in orthodontic treatment as teenagers or adults, there are reasons to start treatment at earlier ages when several baby teeth are still present. We recommend early orthodontic treatment (Phase I) in situations where significant bite problems are identified between the ages of 6 to 9. This is recommended because waiting until all the permanent teeth are present may result in irreversible damage to the teeth and gums or become uncorrectable with simple treatment methods. Early treatment typically lasts 8-14 months.

After early treatment is completed we like to give patients a break before starting full orthodontic treatment (Phase II). We advise all early treatment candidates that full orthodontic treatment will be recommended later on to idealize the bite and the positioning of all the permanent teeth after they have erupted.

Early Treatment Case 1: Simple anterior x-bite 

This is a case that was recommended for early treatment due to the presence of an anterior (front tooth) x-bite that was causing gum recession of the involved lower tooth and high risk for development of tooth wear. Phase I treatment time was 8 months.

Early Treatment Case 2: Underbite 

This is an example of a case recommended for Phase I treatment due to an underbite. If uncorrected during an early phase, patients with underbites may need jaw surgery for correction at a later date. In these cases, the goal of treatment is to get the upper front teeth in front of the lower front teeth and normalize the jaw growth pattern. Treatment time was 11 months.

Early Treatment Case 3: Overbite 

This is an example of iPhase I treatment for correction of an overbite combined with a narrow upper arch, protruding and spaced upper incisors. Protruding upper incisors are at risk of damage due to trauma and early correction can reduce the risk of damage to those teeth.  Treatment time was 12 months.