If your teeth are less than perfectly aligned, you’re in very good company. According to a recent study, around 60-75% of the world’s population has malocclusion.
What is a malocclusion, you may well ask? Simply put, it means a bad bite.
Whatever you call it, misaligned teeth can cause difficulties. The good news is that there are lots of effective treatments and braces are not the only solution!
Join us as we explore the 7 most common types of malocclusion and what you can do about them.
1. Overbite
In people who have an overbite, their top teeth extend over their bottom teeth by 3mm or more. This is called a class 2 malocclusion.
A serious overbite can make your teeth more susceptible to getting broken if you fall or play sports. Plus, it can cause secondary issues with your gums and jaw.
If you notice your child is developing an overbite or any other orthodontic issue, it’s good to take them to see an orthodontist as early as 7 years of age. Treatment at a young age can reduce the need for treatment during the self-conscious teen years.
Treatments during childhood include:
- Palatal expanders to create more room in the upper palate for teeth to grow into
- Extraction of certain teeth to create more room
- Braces or clear aligners designed for kids
Adults and teens can benefit from braces or clear aligners to reduce their overbite. Occasionally, extractions or surgery may be needed.
2. Underbite
In a person with an underbite, the bottom teeth extend beyond the upper teeth. The jaw is out of alignment and in severe cases may be very noticeable and cause self-consciousness. This is a class 3 malocclusion.
An underbite can cause problems, including:
- Irregular wear of the teeth
- Speech difficulties
- Difficulty chewing food
- Anxiety related to the appearance of the underbite
- TMJ disorder because the jaw is out of alignment
If you have a mild to moderate underbite, Invisalign is a great option. They’re easy to maintain and comfortable to wear, as you can find out at carolinasmilesdds.com.
Braces are also effective at correcting many types of underbite. But if your underbite is more severe, you may need surgery to reposition your jaw. Underbite is easier to treat during childhood when our jaws are still growing but can be treated successfully in adulthood as well.
3. Crossbite
Crossbite happens when your upper and lower sets of teeth don’t match up correctly. They may cover each other in places and generally not align well. This group of bite issues can lead to headaches, teeth grinding, and irregular wear on the teeth.
During childhood and teen years, an orthodontist may recommend extracting certain teeth to create more room. Another option is a palatal expander which widens the roof of the mouth, creating more space. Orthodontic headgear is another option in some cases.
Braces and clear aligners are further options for young ones and adults alike, depending on the severity of the case. In severe cases, adults may need surgery as their jaw is no longer growing as it is in younger people.
4. Overjet
Wait, didn’t we cover this already with overbite? Actually, overbite and overjet are slightly different, although you can have them both at the same time.
Overjet means that the front teeth extend outward diagonally, in what is commonly known as buck teeth. This can make people feel very self-conscious, affect their speech, and also make it hard to closer their lips over their front teeth.
If you have a mild case, this may be corrected with cosmetic procedures, such as veneers, bonding, and crowns. Invisalign can also help in mild to moderate cases. If your case is more serious, traditional braces are usually the best option.
You can get straight teeth and improved comfort. Most people will need either a permanent or removable retainer. This will keep their teeth in the correct position after the teeth straightening treatment.
5. Open Bite
If you have an open bite, your front top and bottom teeth do not meet. There will be a gap between them, that in some cases is quite large. Although genetics play a big part, thumb-sucking and using a pacifier for a long time can make the problem worse.
If your condition is not serious, braces and clear aligners should be enough to close the gap. If the problem relates to your jawbone, surgery may be needed to move the bones into the correct position so that your teeth line up correctly.
6. Gaps Between Teeth
Also called diastemata, gaps between teeth can be due to the jaw being too big or your teeth being too small for your jaw.
In many cases, gaps between the teeth don’t cause problems. In some parts of the world, they’re even seen as a sign of beauty. But if they bother you, braces and Invisalign may be able to bring your teeth closer together.
Another option is bonding or veneers. Both of these treatments add to your teeth and can help to close the gaps.
7. Crowded Teeth
If your jaw doesn’t really have enough space for all your teeth, they’re all jostling and competing with each other. Rather than being perfectly in line, they’ll overlap and twist to fit. Crowded teeth are harder to brush, harder to floss and are more prone to gum disease.
Crowded teeth are also easy to correct with braces or clear aligners. But if you don’t want to go down the teeth straightening route and have a mild case, veneers could also help. Veneers are wafer-thin shells that just cover the front of your teeth.
They’re only suitable for adults. They can drastically improve the appearance of your teeth without teeth straightening. Bear in mind though that they won’t correct bite issues.
Treating All Types of Malocclusion
The good news is that there are now successful treatments for all types of malocclusion. Even if you’ve been turned away by orthodontists before, there may now be appliances and surgeries that can help.
If you’d like more helpful hints and tips on everything to do with health, check out our latest blogs today!