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. A bad bite can be genetic, or can be caused by thumb sucking, dental disease, poor dental hygiene, 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. Don Wilson and Dr. Paul Kim 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. There is also a risk of trauma while playing games or sports. This can be treated at a young age. We want to see all children for an orthodontic examination by age 7.
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 can limit potential jaw growth and needs to be treated at a young age. We want to see all children for an orthodontic examination by age 7.
Crossbite
The upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth, which may cause asymmetric jaw growth. This can cause unwanted jaw growth and needs to be treated at a young age. We want to see all children for an orthodontic examination by age 7.
Openbite
Proper chewing is impacted by this type of bite, in which the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap. This should be treated at a young age since it may cause unwanted habits, such as tongue thrusting. We want to see all children for an orthodontic examination by age 7.
Crowding
Crowding occurs when teeth have insufficient room to erupt from the gum. Crowding can often be corrected by expansion, and many times, tooth removal can be avoided, especially if seen at a young age. We want to see all children for an orthodontic examination by age 7.
Spacing
Spacing problems may be caused by missing teeth, can cause problems with the gums, or may be a cosmetic issue.
Underbite
In an underbite, the lower jaw extends out, causing the lower front teeth to sit in front of the upper front teeth. This can cause unwanted jaw growth and needs to be treated at a young age. We want to see all children for an orthodontic examination by age 7.
