A person’s “bite” refers to how their upper teeth and lower teeth meet inside the mouth. In a perfect world, everyone’s bites would come together seamlessly without the need for orthodontic intervention. Unfortunately this isn’t the case for most of us. A malocclusion or “bad bite” is when the upper teeth and lower teeth don’t come together properly. There are many different types of bites, all of which can be fixed by orthodontic treatment such as braces. In some cases, tooth extraction and even jaw surgery may need to be supplemented to ensure a proper bite.
In this article, we will discuss the eight common bite problems, what factors may cause them and how your Arco orthodontist can treat each of these conditions.
For a more individualized examination of your particular bite problem, contact your local Arco orthodontist office, Randall Orthodontics.
What Causes Bite Problems?
Despite bites manifesting in different forms, malocclusions occur due to one or more of the following environmental or genetic situations:
- Myofunctional Habits – This includes habits such as bottle feeding, mouth breathing, thumb sucking, tongues thrusting, etc.
- Genetics
- Facial Development
- Injury
Common Bite Problems
Overbite
An overbite is a when the upper front teeth overlap or cover part of the lower front teeth. This type of bite can wear down the front teeth, predominately the incisors (the two front teeth). Additionally, an overbite can cause damage to the gum tissue and often results in what is known as a “gummy” smile. Depending on the severity of the overbite (overbites that cause front teeth to mostly cover the lower teeth are called deep bites), most types of braces, including invisible aligners, will fix this issue.
Underbite
Sometimes referred to as an anterior crossbite, an underbite can cause a “bulldog” appearance, where the lower jaw sits out in front of the upper jaw. This type of malocclusion causes stress on the jaw joints and if left untreated can cause tension headaches, jaw problems, and even TMJ disorders. This type of bite problem is typically more difficult to treat and may require a person to wear braces for a longer amount of time compared to someone with a mild overbite. In addition to braces, a severe underbite may require that a person undergo jaw surgery to reshape either the lower or upper jaw to create a proper bite. If you have an underbite, consult with your Arco orthodontist office to determine what the best course of action will be for you.
Crossbite
A crossbite can affect one tooth or multiple teeth and is when the upper teeth fit inside of the lower teeth. This can be caused by misaligned teeth, bone or both. This type of bite can cause issues for people in terms of biting and chewing and tend to worsen over time. For this reason, it is crucial that you take your children to seen an orthodontist by the time they are seven. Even if there are no signs of malocclusion, your Arco orthodontist will be able to see if it may become an issue in the future. The quicker this problem can be dealt with, the better.
Openbite
Similar to crossbites, early intervention is the best practice as open bites can cause potential swallowing and speech problems. There are two different types of open bites, anterior and posterior. An anterior open bite refers to when the upper and lower teeth do not overlap (or touch in some cases) when the back teeth are together. A posterior open bite is when the upper and lower teeth meet, but not the back teeth.
Custom braces may need to be created by your Arco orthodontist in order to treat this specific malocclusion.
Crowding
When there isn’t enough space in your mouth for teeth to come in properly, it causes crowding. Crowding is one of the most common problems that orthodontists take care of and can be corrected by most braces. Crowding can cause people to lose confidence in their smile, but the issues of crowding go beyond appearance. Crowding makes it harder to clean teeth and get in between teeth while cleaning, resulting in increased cavities and gum disease, such as gingivitis.
Spacing
Spacing, the opposite of crowding is another common malocclusion many people experience. Despite being the reverse of crowding, spacing, when not treated, can also lead to an influx of cavities and gum disease. This is because rather than not being able to clean between teeth like crowding, spacing allows for food particles and plaque to build up in these “wider” spaces, if not properly cared for. Similarly, the reason for spacing is due to a inconsistency of tooth size and jaw space. Damon braces (self-litigating braces) are a faster option for spacing than traditional braces. Call Randall Orthodontics to see if Damon braces are the right option for you.
Dental Midlines
When the dental midlines of a person’s mouth don’t meet up this malocclusion can cause dental health to deteriorate as well as ongoing problems with the jaw. A dental midline issue is apparent when the top teeth don’t meet up with the bottom row of teeth. In many midline orthodontic cases, a person may need to have braces in addition to tooth extraction to correct the midline. Invisible aligners cannot be used for most midline issue. You can find more about if invisible aligners here or by talking with your local orthodontist.
If you would like to correct your bite, contact Randall Orthodontics today. We want to help you smile with confidence!
