Orthodontic problems can affect anyone – in fact, our teeth are almost never naturally perfect. Malocclusion, or a “bad bite”, can cause problems with chewing, oral hygiene, speaking and aesthetics and also increase the probability of premature wear and cracking of the teeth. A bad bite can be genetic, or can be caused by habits such as thumb sucking, dental disease, accidents, birth defects or other medical conditions.
Being educated about the orthodontic problem you or your child may have is the first step to correcting it. Orthodontic treatment performed by Dr. Robert Iezman can improve both the functionality of your bite and the appearance of your smile.
Below are some examples of the most common orthodontic problems.
Upper Front Teeth Protrusion
The appearance and function of your teeth are impacted by this type of bite. It is characterized by the upper teeth extending too far forward or the lower teeth not extending far enough forward. This type of bite problem usually is indicative of the back teeth not having the proper bite relationship and puts the front teeth at higher risk for trauma related tooth fractures.
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. This type of bite problem can lead to premature wear and chipping of the upper and lower front teeth.
Crossbite
The upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. This type of bite problem can result in misaligned jaw growth, gum recession, tooth mobility and premature wear and chipping of the teeth.
Openbite
Proper chewing is impacted by this type of bite, in which the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap. Openbites may cause unwanted habits, such as tongue thrusting, premature wear of the back teeth and the inability to bite things with the front teeth.
Crowding
Crowding occurs when teeth have insufficient room to erupt from the gum. Crowding can often be corrected by expansion, and most of the time, tooth removal can be avoided. Crowding is unsightly and often interferes with the ability to keep the teeth and gums clean and healthy.
Spacing
Spacing problems may be caused by missing teeth, or they may only be a cosmetic or aesthetic issue.
Underbite
In an underbite, the lower jaw extends out, causing the lower front teeth to sit in the front of the upper front teeth. This type of bite problem usually is indicative of the back teeth not having the proper bite relationship and puts the teeth at risk for premature wear and fracture.
