For residents of Hamden, Connecticut, seeking orthodontic care often begins with understanding the specific dental issues that treatment can address. Feldman Orthodontics, a practice serving Hamden patients from its Cheshire office, has outlined the most common problems—crowding, spacing, and bite misalignments—and the approaches used to correct them. The practice is staffed by four board-certified orthodontists: Dr. Jonny Feldman, Dr. David Feldman, Dr. Kelly Morrison, and Dr. Preeti Chandhoke.
Orthodontic treatment typically targets one or more of the following conditions: crowding, where there is too little room in the dental arch, pushing teeth out of alignment and making cleaning more difficult; spacing, which involves gaps between teeth, often due to missing teeth or a size mismatch between teeth and jaw; and various bite issues such as overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. Overbite and underbite occur when upper and lower teeth meet incorrectly when the jaw closes, while crossbite involves upper teeth sitting inside the lower teeth, which can cause uneven enamel wear. Open bite is characterized by front teeth that do not touch when the back teeth are closed.
Many of these issues are easier to correct while a patient is still growing, which is why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends an evaluation by around age 7. Early assessment allows for timely intervention, which can guide jaw growth and create space for permanent teeth, potentially simplifying later treatment.
For some children, a two-phase treatment approach may be recommended. This splits care into an early stage during childhood and a second stage once all permanent teeth have erupted. The first phase focuses on guiding jaw growth and creating room, while the second phase aligns the teeth. However, this approach is not suitable for every child and is only advised when early guidance can meaningfully alter the outcome.
In more severe cases, surgical orthodontics may be necessary. This applies to a smaller group of patients whose jaw relationship cannot be corrected by moving teeth alone. In such cases, orthodontic treatment is coordinated with a surgical procedure to reposition the jaw. Both braces and clear aligners can be used in conjunction with these plans, depending on the individual case.
Orthodontic treatment typically spans many months, and appointment frequency is a significant consideration for families commuting from Hamden. Feldman Orthodontics addresses this by offering remote monitoring for qualifying patients, allowing progress to be reviewed between visits and reducing the number of in-office appointments. The practice also uses digital scanning and 3D imaging instead of traditional impressions for treatment planning and for producing clear aligners.
"Fewer visits without losing oversight of the case is the practical benefit for families driving in," said the Feldman Orthodontics team. This approach is part of the practice's commitment to providing efficient, high-quality care.
Feldman Orthodontics offers both braces and clear aligners to children, teens, and adults in the Hamden area. Every completed case transitions into a retention phase, which includes retainers and follow-up appointments to maintain the results. New patients are seen for a complimentary consultation before any treatment is agreed upon.
The practice, with offices in Cheshire, Wallingford, and North Haven, provides early orthodontic evaluations, teen and adult orthodontics, surgical orthodontics, retainers, and follow-up care. Patients in Hamden are served from the Cheshire office, and more information is available at Feldman Orthodontics.
