Seven Problems Orthodontics Can Fix

Our ‘bite’ refers to how the upper and lower jaw meet. In normal situations, the bite should fit seamlessly. Unfortunately, that is not the case for some of us. A percentage of people suffer from malocclusion where the upper and lower jaw do not meet properly. This leads to other dental problems. Fortunately, with orthodontic treatment, you can correct these bite problems, and restore your teeth to the correct position.

Many different bite problems can be fixed by orthodontic treatment. In this post, we look at seven of the problems.

What Causes Bite Problems?

Malocclusion, though it manifests differently, is a genetic problem. This means it is passed down through the generations. However, some factors, habits, and conditions can change the structure and shape of the jaw. Some of the conditions include:

• Palate and cleft lip
• Prolonged use of a pacifier
• Thumb sucking
• Prolonged use of bottle-feeding
• Tumors in the jaw and mouth
• Impacted teeth
• Dental trauma that results in jaw misalignment
• Poor dental care
• Obstructed airways caused by allergies or enlarged tonsils

What Are the Common Bite Problems?

1. Overbite

An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth cover part or overlap the lower teeth. This can cause the lower front teeth to wear down. Furthermore, you may have damaged gum tissues, often resulting in a ‘gummy smile’ because of excessive gum display.

2. Underbite

An underbite develops when the lower jaw protrudes and sits out in front of the upper jaw. This stresses the jaw joint and if left untreated can cause tension headaches and jaw problems such as TMJ.

Underbites are difficult to treat and usually require more treatment time than the overbite. At times, our orthodontic dentist in Muskogee can recommend jaw surgery to reshape either the upper or lower jaw.

3. Open bite

Open bites are rare, affecting 0.6 percent of the population. It results from excessive use of a pacifier or prolonged thumb sucking in early childhood. This malocclusion is characterized by space between the upper and lower front teeth. Most children outgrow this problem when their baby teeth start to come off or stop using the pacifiers.

However, at times, the permanent teeth can also be affected, creating the need for orthodontic treatment.

4. Crossbite

Crossbite affects how your teeth are aligned. In most cases, the upper teeth fit behind the lower ones when the mouth is closed.

A crossbite is similar to an underbite, but it only affects a group of teeth, not the whole set. Ongoing crossbite can cause pain in the jaw, tooth decay, sleep apnea TMJ disorders, and frequent headaches.

5. Crowding and spacing

When you don’t have enough space in the jaw, some of your teeth may overlap with the others, causing them to get crowded. This is a common orthodontic problem affecting a great percentage of children and adults.

Overcrowding is a dental nightmare as it increases the risk of tooth decay and gum infections. When your teeth are cramped up, it is hard to clean all the parts properly, which results in cavity formation.

Spacing develops when there is a lot of space on the jaw for your teeth to fit.

6. Dental midlines

The dental midline is the line between the two upper and two lower teeth. The dental midlines should align properly with the middle of your face. When this doesn’t happen, it can cause backbite not to fit well.

7. Misaligned jaw

Uneven jaw develops due to biting problems. Crooked and crowded teeth put pressure on the jaw. If these bite problems are not treated, they will cause the jaw to develop in an improper position. Braces can work to correct the teeth alignment. But, at times, surgery may be required to fix the jaw position.

What are the Types of Orthodontic Treatment?

Several orthodontic treatments can be used to correct the malocclusion.

• Traditional braces
• Ceramic aligners
• Invisalign®
• Lingual braces

Dr. Moiz Horani will recommend a suitable form of treatment based on your orthodontic condition.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Dental Care of Muskogee for more information on orthodontics and brace problems.