Common Problems

Bite Issues Caused By Abnormal Orthodontic Development

When you look at your smile in the mirror, you may not realize that it's completely one-of-a-kind; something that's unlike any other smile out there in the world. This because there are countless factors that influence our oral development, from the habits that we have as a kid like thumb sucking, to our own genetics that determined the unique shape of our jaw. The result is the smile that you have today, but unfortunately, the chances are is that you have some sort of issue with your bite that can negatively impact your oral health because a perfect smile is extremely rare. 

At The Braces Place, we have everything you need to take that smile you've had your whole life and transform it into the form it was always meant to be in; a smile that's perfectly aligned, healthy, and fills you with confidence every time you see it. We have the latest and greatest in orthodontic treatment technology, from metal and SPEED self-ligating to Clarity clear braces and clear aligners. We work with patients of all ages, creating new smiles that are made to last a lifetime. To learn more about the different types of bite problems that we can treat with professional orthodontic care, check out the list of common bite issues below.

How Orthodontic Care Fixes Common Bite Issues

When the teeth are misaligned due to a bite problem, orthodontic treatments such as braces and clear aligners apply a small amount of directional pressure to the teeth with just enough force to move them into their ideal position in the jaw. The teeth move slowly over time, since the amount of pressure applied is designed to cause the least amount of discomfort for the patient. The average length of orthodontic treatment lasts anywhere between 12 and 36 months depending on the severity of the bite issue. In some cases, other corrective orthodontic treatment may be necessary, such as palatal expander which will create extra space in the jaw for healthier tooth development, or jaw surgery to correct more severe cases of jaw abnormalities. 

The Most Common Bite Issues & Abnormalities

Underbite

underbiteAn underbite is when your lower jaw extends out further than your upper jaw. As a result, the lower teeth will overlap the upper teeth when you bite down. Most cases of underbite can be completely corrected using orthodontic treatment, however, there are rare cases where the extent of the overbite is so severe that the jaw position must be adjusted with surgery before proceeding with braces or clear aligners.

Overbite

overbiteAn overbite is when the upper jaw extends past the lower jaw, resulting in your upper teeth overlapping the lower teeth when you bite down. While most overbites can and should be treated with braces or clear aligners, there are some minor cases of overbite that may not require correction at all. 

Upper Front Teeth Protrusion

protrusionOften confused with an overbite, the protrusion of the upper teeth is commonly caused by bad habits like finger sucking or tongue thrusting. Since these habits often put a significant amount of constant pressure to the upper front teeth, they become splayed outwards towards the lips. Orthodontic treatment can be used to adjust the angle of the teeth so they align with those of the lower jaw for a healthy and perfect smile.

Gaps Between Teeth

spacingGaps in the teeth can result from missing teeth, impacted teeth, protruding teeth, and the teeth being smaller than average in size. Since the gaps in the teeth can result in the formation of pockets in the gums that trap bacteria and increase the risk of infection and gum disease, it is recommended that gaps and spaces be corrected with orthodontic treatment as soon as possible.

Crowding

crowdingCrowding occurs when your teeth are trying to erupt, but there is not enough room in your jaw to accommodate all of them. As a result, they end up pushing up against each other during development, forcing them to erupt at varying angles. In some more severe cases of crowding, a tooth may need to be removed before orthodontic treatment, but otherwise, braces and clear aligners can effectively and efficiently correct crowded teeth.

Crossbite

crossbiteA crossbite is when the upper and lower jaw bones are different sizes, with the upper arch typically being more narrow than the lower arch. The result is the front upper teeth overlapping the bottom front teeth similar to an overbite, but the back upper teeth fall behind the back bottom teeth. Crossbites can cause issues with speech or eating if not treated, and may require a palatal expander or other orthodontic treatment to correct the abnormal shape of the jaw before proceeding with braces or clear aligners. 

Openbite

openbiteWith an open bite, the teeth on the top and bottom never meet when you bite down, resulting in a smile that always has an opening in the middle. Open bites increase the risk of developing other, more serious orthodontic and dental issues in the future, since the misalignment causes you to put more pressure on the back teeth when eating. This added pressure can result in increased wear and deterioration of the tooth enamel on your back teeth, which can lead to conditions such as sensitive or broken teeth. 

Dental Midlines not Matched

midlinesYour smile has two midlines, one in between your two upper front incisors, and another one in between the two bottom center teeth. With a perfect and healthy smile, these lines should form one straight midline all the way down the center. When these lines don't match up, there is a clear misalignment with the teeth or jaw. Midline misalignment can easily be corrected with orthodontic treatment.

Get A Healthy Bite & Perfect Smile With The Braces Place!

If you're tired of looking at a crooked and imperfect smile in the mirror, simply contacting us to schedule your first appointment at The Braces Place is all it takes to get started on the path to having the smile you've always wanted. With a broad selection of orthodontic treatment options to choose from, we work with you to find the solution that best meets your needs before crafting your personalized treatment plan, so your new smile is as perfect as it can be. If you have any questions about the common bite problems mentioned above or the treatments that we offer to the families of Lexington, KY and the surrounding communities, just reach out to us and we'll provide you with the information you're searching for. We look forward to seeing you in our office soon!