Malocclusion, or a “bad bite,” is when the teeth or jaws do not line up correctly. The most common types are crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and protruding front teeth. Left untreated, these can affect chewing, cleaning, speech, and the long-term health of your teeth. Dr. Robert Iezman treats all of them at Berkeley Family Orthodontics.
Very few people get a perfectly aligned bite naturally, so orthodontic problems are extremely common. A bad bite (the clinical term is malocclusion) can be inherited or can develop from habits like thumb sucking, from injuries, or from teeth coming in crowded. Beyond appearance, an untreated bad bite can make chewing and cleaning harder and can wear or chip your teeth over time. Understanding which problem you or your child has is the first step, and Dr. Robert Iezman can correct both how your bite works and how your smile looks.
Common Orthodontic Problems (Types of Malocclusion)
Upper Front Teeth Protrusion
This condition occurs when the upper front teeth extend too far forward or the lower teeth are positioned too far back. It impacts both the appearance and functionality of the teeth. Often caused by misalignment of the back teeth, this issue puts the front teeth at a greater risk of trauma and fractures.
Overbite and Protruding Front Teeth
An overbite is when the upper front teeth extend too far over the lower teeth, sometimes far enough that the lower teeth bite into the roof of the mouth. Closely related is protrusion, where the upper front teeth stick out too far (or the lower teeth sit too far back). Both can wear or chip the front teeth and put them at greater risk of injury.
Crossbite
A crossbite is when some upper teeth close inside the lower teeth rather than outside them. It can lead to uneven jaw growth, gum recession, loose teeth, and early wear, so it is worth correcting rather than leaving alone.
Open Bite
An open bite is when the upper and lower front teeth do not touch when the back teeth are closed. It can make biting into food difficult and is often linked to habits like tongue thrusting or prolonged thumb sucking.
Underbite
An underbite is when the lower jaw sits forward, so the lower front teeth close in front of the upper teeth. It often reflects a difference in jaw size or position, can cause uneven wear, and in more pronounced cases may need coordinated care. Significant jaw-based underbites are one situation where surgical orthodontics is sometimes discussed.
Crowding
Crowding happens when there is not enough room for teeth to come in straight, so they overlap or twist. It is one of the most common issues and often one of the more straightforward to treat, sometimes with expansion and usually without removing teeth. Crowded teeth are harder to clean, which raises the risk of decay and gum problems.
Spacing
Spacing is the opposite of crowding: gaps between the teeth. It can come from missing teeth, teeth that are small for the jaw, or simply be a cosmetic concern. Closing spaces improves both the look and the function of your smile.
Which Problems Are Easiest to Treat?
Patients often ask which bites are simplest to fix. As a general rule, mild crowding and spacing are among the most routine to correct, while bite problems rooted in jaw size or position (such as a strong underbite) can be more involved and occasionally require coordinated jaw treatment. The only way to know what your case needs is an evaluation. Dr. Iezman will explain exactly what he sees and the simplest effective way to correct it.
Get Your Bite Evaluated in Berkeley
If you recognize any of these in your own or your child’s smile, an evaluation is the best next step. Call Berkeley Family Orthodontics at (510) 849-3613 or request an appointment online. Our office is at 2999 Regent Street, Suite 408, in Berkeley’s Elmwood neighborhood.
