Speaks Orthodontics

A crossbite in children is when some upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside them. It is often caused by a narrow upper jaw, and it is usually easiest to correct while a child is still growing, often with an expander. Parents tend to notice a crossbite in one of two ways.

TADs, or temporary anchorage devices, are miniature implants placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw during orthodontic treatment. They give your orthodontist a fixed anchor point to move teeth in difficult directions, then they are removed once their job is done. If your orthodontist mentions a mini-screw or a TAD, it is

An overbite is how far your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth from top to bottom. An overjet is how far the upper front teeth stick out in front of the lower ones. Both can be corrected, but they often need different approaches. People use the two words interchangeably, and that is where

Orthodontic treatment can help jaw pain when the pain is driven by how your teeth meet. Many cases of clicking, tenderness, and morning soreness come from muscle strain, clenching, or joint changes instead, and those are managed with appliances and habit changes rather than braces. TMD is one of the most over-promised areas in dentistry.

MARPE is a palatal expander anchored to bone with small screws, which lets an orthodontist widen a narrow upper jaw in older teens and adults without jaw surgery. A traditional expander pushes on teeth alone and works best while the palate is still growing. If you have been told your upper jaw is narrow, you

A permanent retainer is a thin wire bonded behind your front teeth that holds them in place after braces or aligners. It never comes out, so it needs daily brushing, a floss threader, and a call to your orthodontist the moment it feels loose. Most patients leave treatment thinking about the removable retainer in the

Wondering what to expect at your first orthodontic visit? Learn the step-by-step process, exam details, and how to prepare for your consultation.

Wondering what to look for when choosing an orthodontist? Learn the key qualifications, treatment options, and questions to ask before starting care.

Learn what counts as a true orthodontic emergency, how to handle common braces issues at home, and when to call Speaks Ortho in Denver for urgent care.