Do you have proper teeth alignment? How should your teeth line up? A “bad bite” is about more than crooked teeth. Misaligned teeth can cause health issues, from headaches to digestive problems. It’s important to fix your teeth issues as soon as possible.
Wilson and Hendrickson Orthodontics can fix all kinds of teeth issues, from overbites to crowded teeth. Invisalign can fix many tooth problems, and braces treatment can cover nearly all of them.
What Is a Malocclusion?
Did you know there are different classifications of “bad bites” or malocclusions? Then, there are types of dental issues within those classifications.
Let’s start with the three main classifications of malocclusions.
- Class 1 Malocclusion: This is a normal bite in which the teeth, particularly the molars, are lined up correctly or barely off. Class 1 may not need correction.
- Class 2 Malocclusion: This is an overbite where the upper incisors sit further forward from the lower incisors, and the upper molars sit forward from where they should meet the lower ones.
- Class 3 Malocclusion: This is an underbite in which the lower incisors sit forward from the upper incisors, and the lower molars are moved forward.
These are the three main types of bad bites, but there are dental problems within these classifications.
Types of Dental Teeth Issues
Do you have crowded teeth or gap teeth? Did your crooked teeth cause other teeth to erupt above or below your gum line? Most people have more than one type of teeth problems. Even people with normal jaw alignment may still have teeth issues.
What are the different types of teeth problems?
Crowding
If your teeth are too large or your jaw is too small, you may lack space for all your permanent teeth. When your teeth run out of space, they crowd each other. Teeth crowding can be fixed with a palate expander or braces. In severe cases, tooth extractions or surgery may be necessary.
Crossbite
A crossbite is where your upper teeth sit inside your bottom teeth. There are two variations of crossbites, posterior and anterior. A posterior crossbite refers to the upper molars sitting inside the bottom ones. An anterior crossbite is when that happens with the incisors or canines in the front of your mouth.
Overbite
Your upper front teeth naturally sit in front of your lower teeth with only a small space between them. An overbite is when that space is larger than normal. An overbite can be caused by genetics, teeth grinding (bruxism), and extended thumb sucking or pacifier use past age 3.
Deep Bite
A deep bite is an overbite where the front teeth almost completely overlap the front lower teeth. In some cases, the deep bite is so severe that the lower teeth press into the palate behind the upper incisors.
Underbite
An underbite is the opposite of an overbite. The lower incisors rest in front of the upper incisors. This can often result in the chin jutting forward or looking larger than normal.
Open Bite
An open bite is when the upper incisors are angled outward, causing a gap between the upper and lower teeth. An open bite is often caused by overuse of a pacifier or thumb sucking. A tongue-thrusting habit can also cause it.
Excessive Spacing
The opposite of crowding, excessive spacing or gap teeth is when the teeth don’t rest side-by-side, resulting in extra space between them. Gap teeth can be caused by an oversized jaw, smaller-than-normal teeth, missing teeth, an oversized frenum (tongue tie), and genetics. Excessive spacing can be fixed by orthodontic treatment, though a tongue tie may need surgery to be corrected properly.
Abnormal Eruption
This refers to teeth that don’t erupt fully or in the wrong place on the gums, such as above or below the gum line. This can be caused by teeth coming in too soon or too late, overcrowding of other teeth, extra teeth, a small jaw, or injury.
Why Should I Fix My Jaw Misalignment?
If these are common teeth problems, then is it common to live with these problems? It may seem OK at first, but jaw alignment is important to your oral health.
Bad alignment and bad teeth can cause excessive tooth wear, tooth decay, periodontal disease, weakened tooth enamel, problems chewing, jaw pain and popping, headaches, speech problems, digestive issues, snoring, and sleep apnea.
Dental issues worsen over time, so the sooner you fix your jaw alignment problems, the better your health will be, both orally and overall.
How Do I Fix My Bad Bite?
Wilson and Hendrickson Orthodontics can fix your bad bite with braces treatment in Topeka, KS. We also offer treatment with Invisalign clear aligners, though the more severe dental cases may require braces.
We can help your teeth issues with orthodontic appliances such as palate expanders, tongue cribs, and spacers for your teeth. If necessary, we can use braces and clear aligners to straighten your teeth and give you normal jaw alignment.
You may think that only children and teenagers can get orthodontic care, but that’s not the case! We can treat patients of any age. You don’t have to live with the pain and look of misaligned teeth and a bad bite.
Orthodontic Treatment in Topeka, KS
Orthodontic treatment helps to correct any misalignments you have so you can improve your oral health as well as your overall health and boost your confidence. If you are interested in what we can do for you or you know you are ready for our orthodontic treatment, contact us to schedule your appointment! Let us create your perfect smile!
