Steve Astuto, DDS, MSD, is a board certified orthodontist in Amarillo, Childress, Dalhart, and Hereford, TX, who offers braces, Invisalign^®, bite correction, palatal expanders, and more.

Invisalign treatment uses clear aligners to straighten teeth and is great for kids, teens, and adults. Unlike braces, these clear aligners are virtually invisible and removable, giving you the freedom to eat the food you want and keep your teeth clean without brackets and wires. You will wear your aligners throughout the day and night—when it’s time to eat, brush your teeth, or play sports, simply remove them.

Invisalign works similarly to braces by placing gradual pressure on the teeth to move them. You will receive a new set of aligners every 2 weeks to guide your teeth into their correct positions. Patients of all ages with bite problems, gap teeth, crowded teeth, or who seek a generally straighter smile can benefit from Invisalign.

When the teeth or jaws do not fit together, bite problems can occur that affect your ability to eat and speak, and can cause oral health problems if left untreated. This misalignment of the teeth and jaws, called malocclusion, can lead to TMJ pain, speech difficulties, premature wear on teeth enamel, and have a negative effect on your self-confidence from the appearance of your smile.

There are many types of bite patterns that require orthodontic treatment, including overbite, crossbite, underbite, open bite, and overcrowded teeth. Dr. Astuto can correct bite problems in children, teenagers, and adults with braces or Invisalign. Using rubber bands or other oral appliance attachments, we can guide the teeth and jaws into place, improving your confidence, oral health, and function.

Early orthodontic treatment can reduce the risk of future concerns, such as crowded teeth or bite problems, and help guide the growth of facial and jaw bones for better oral health. Palatal expanders are oral appliances that widen the upper jaw. If a child has a narrow jaw, palatal expansion is recommended around the age of 7, as the palate is rapidly forming and we can guide its development.

The situations that call for maxillary expansion include a crossbite, overcrowding, and impacted teeth. Expanding the upper jaw can create more space in the mouth for permanent teeth to come in and can shorten the amount of time the child will need to wear braces. A palatal expander is worn for 3–6 months and may be the only part of Phase 1 treatment, or combined with braces.