Orthodontic Disorders

Crossbite

Crossbite can occur in the front and/or the sides of the mouth. When you bite down, one or more of the upper teeth come down inside the lower teeth. Early correction of crossbite is recommended.

Crossbite should be corrected because it can:

• Cause premature wear of the teeth
• Cause gum disease, including bone loss
• Cause asymmetrical development of the jaw and maxilla
• Cause dysfunctional chewing patterns
• Make your smile less attractive

How can a crossbite be orthodontically corrected?

If there is a single tooth crossbite, the tooth can be moved with braces into the correct position. In some cases, a retainer can be utilized. With multiple teeth in crossbite, braces or other intra-oral appliances will be needed to expand the arch. 

Openbite

Openbite is an insufficient vertical overlap of the teeth. It is caused by oral habits such as tongue thrust, digit sucking or when the jaws don't grow evenly. Timing of treatment is critical to the overall success of the therapy.

How can an openbite be orthodontically corrected?

Openbite can be corrected through growth modification of the jaws using braces, extrusion of the front and anterior teeth and in some cases surgical correction of the jaws. Quitting habits that contribute to the misalignment, such as thumb-sucking, may be needed for treatment to be successful.  You dentist can offer tips for quitting oral habits. 

Overbite

Overbite occurs when the upper front teeth protrude over the lower front teeth. Generally there is no contact between the upper and lower front teeth. Often you cannot see the lower incisors. Overbite is due to a disproportionate amount of eruption of front teeth or a front to back discrepancy in the growth of the upper or lower jaw (Class II Relationship). Overbite is also known as a deep bite. Overbite should be corrected because it can:

• Cause improper functioning of your front teeth
• Result in the lower front teeth biting into the gum tissue of the upper palate, leading to tissue problems.
• Unusual wear of the lower front teeth
• Cause jaw or joint problems
• Make your smile less attractive

 

How can an overbite be orthodontically corrected?

Overbite can be corrected through moving the front teeth up and/or bringing the back teeth together, which will "open" the bite so the teeth are properly aligned and the deep bite is eliminated.

Overjet

Overjet is also known as protrusion. In this case, the lower teeth are too far behind the upper front teeth. This can be caused by an improper alignment of the molars, a skeletal imbalance of the upper and lower jaw; flared upper incisors, missing lower teeth or a combination of all the above. In addition, oral habits such as thumb sucking, finger sucking or tongue thrusting can exacerbate the condition.

Overjet should be corrected because it can:

• Prevent proper functioning of the front teeth
• Lead to premature wear
• Make your smile less attractive

 

How can overjet be orthodontically corrected?

Overjet can be corrected through growth modification using a functional appliance and/or elastics to reduce the skeletal imbalance or extraction of teeth.

Underbite

The lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. An underbite is usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or a combination of the two. Underbite can also be caused by flared upper incisors, missing lower teeth or a combination of all the above. Early correction of underbite is recommended.

Underbite should be corrected because it can:

• Prevent proper functioning of the front teeth or molars which can lead to premature wear of the teeth
• Cause chewing or eating problems
• Cause jaw or joint problems
• Make your smile less attractive

 

How can an underbite be orthodontically corrected?

Underbite can be corrected through growth modification of the jaws, extraction of teeth and in some cases, surgical correction of the jaws.

Impacted teeth

Impactions can be caused by improper positioning of the developing tooth bud as a child. Due to poor positioning, the tooth never surfaces from below the gum, and instead crowds the jaw bone. Impactions can also be caused by early loss of primary teeth or crowding of teeth. Wisdom teeth are the most commonly impacted teeth but canines and premolars can also become impacted.

This problem should be corrected because it can:

• Cause damage to the root structure of adjacent teeth
• Interfere with the sinus cavity
• Leave unwanted spaces
• Lead to improper functioning of the teeth
• Cause premature wear of the teeth
• Case asymmetric alignment of the teeth

 

How can impacted teeth be orthodontically corrected?

Usually the impacted tooth is exposed over the course of a few months and brought into the correct position of the mouth. Correction of impacted teeth may involve a minor surgical procedure performed by our oral surgeon. This will allow us to then guide eruption of the impacted tooth into proper position.

Missing teeth

Missing teeth is the absence of a tooth or teeth that should normally be present. This can be caused by trauma or lack of development.

This problem should be corrected because it can:

• Cause improper functioning of teeth
• Cause premature wear of teeth
• Cause asymmetric alignment of the teeth
• Make your smile less attractive

 

How can missing teeth be orthodontically corrected?

Depending upon the situation, the space can be closed with braces or opened for tooth replacement. A bridge or dental implant are restorative options if a space is created.

Crowding of the Teeth

Crowding is the lack of space for all the teeth to fit normally within the jawbone. The teeth may be twisted or displaced. Crowding occurs when there is disharmony in the tooth to jaw size relationship or when the teeth are larger than the available space. Crowding can be caused by improper eruption of teeth and early or late loss of primary teeth.

Crowding should be corrected because it can:

• Prevent proper cleaning of all the surfaces of your teeth
• Cause dental decay
• Increase the chances of gum disease
• Prevent proper functioning of teeth
• Make your smile less attractive

 

How can crowding be orthodontically corrected?

Extra space can be created by expansion of the arches or extraction of teeth. Once space is created, braces will eliminate crowding and align the teeth. Correction of crowding can help prevent dental decay and periodontal disease by improving the ability to remove plaque from the teeth.

Spacing of the Teeth

Spacing (the opposite of crowding), is an excess of space for your teeth which results in gaps between your teeth. This generally occurs when the teeth are smaller than the available space. Spacing can also be caused by protrusive teeth, missing teeth, impacted teeth or abnormal tissue attachments to the gums.

Spacing should be corrected because it can:

• Result in gum problems due to the lack of protection by the teeth
• Prevent proper functioning of the teeth
• Make your smile less attractive

 

How can spacing of the teeth be orthodontically corrected?

The spaces can be closed by moving the teeth together and properly aligning them within the arch.