Common Problems
Orthodontic problems can affect anyone, as teeth are rarely naturally perfect. Malocclusion, or a “bad bite,” can lead to chewing, oral hygiene, speaking, and appearance issues. A bad bite can be inherited or caused by thumb sucking, dental disease, poor dental hygiene, accidents, congenital disabilities, or other medical conditions.
Understanding the orthodontic issue you or your child may have is the first step to correcting it. Treatment provided by Dr. Brad and his team can enhance both your bite’s functionality and your smile’s appearance.
Here are some examples of the most common orthodontic problems we see in our practice:
Upper Front Teeth Protrusion
The appearance and function of your teeth are impacted by a severe overjet or “buck teeth” look. This can be dangerous in an accident since the lower teeth do not support the upper teeth to prevent breakage.
Overbite
The upper front teeth extend out over the lower front teeth, sometimes causing the lower front teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth, causing discomfort and TMJ issues. If left untreated, this can also prematurely wear down the enamel on lower teeth and require a lifetime of dental restorations to repair.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not meet correctly, causing some upper teeth to sit inside the lower teeth. This misalignment can affect both appearance and function, leading to uneven tooth wear, jaw strain, and potential TMJ discomfort. Early correction helps restore proper alignment and balance to your bite.
Open bite
Proper chewing is impacted by this type of bite, in which the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap. Open bite may cause some unwanted habits, such as tongue thrusting.
Crowding
Crowding occurs when there isn’t enough space for teeth to fit properly within the upper or lower jaws. This happens when there is a mismatch between the size of the teeth and the size of the jaw or when the teeth are too large for the available space.
Spacing
Spacing problems may be caused by gaps between teeth that are not caused by missing teeth. If the jaw size is too big for the size of the teeth, it can be a hereditary issue. This condition is the opposite of crowding.
Underbite
The lower teeth protrude in front of the upper teeth, which is usually a result of an anterior crossbite, inhibited upper jaw development due to breathing or health issues, or abnormally large lower jaw development.