Common Orthodontic Problems
Crowding
Crowding occurs when there are too many teeth for the dental arch to accommodate. Crowding can make brushing and flossing difficult, which may result in cavities, gum disease and bone loss.
Spacing
Spacing problems may be caused by missing teeth, or by teeth that do not “fill up” the dental arches. Spacing is usually a cosmetic problem, but may sometimes affect the health of the bone and gums.
Protusion
Protrusion is what many people commonly refer to as an “overbite”. This may be caused by the upper teeth flaring forward or te upper and lower jaws growing at different rates. Protruded teeth are much more likely to get injured in sports and other daily activities.
Underbite
An underbite occurs when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth when back teeth are closed. This is caused by an undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. An underbite can cause poor chewing, speech impairment, excessive tooth wear, and can cause painful jaw/joint problems.
Crossbite
Crossbites occur when the upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth. They can occur on either the front teeth, side teeth, or both. Crossbites can cause excessive wear of the teeth, permanent changes to the face/jaws, and may cause painful jaw/joint problems.
Overbite (Deepbite)
Deep bite or overbite occurs when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. Severe deep bites can lead to gum problems/irritations and excessive wear on the lower teeth.
Openbite: Front Teeth dont touch
Open bites occur when some teeth are unable to make contact with the opposing teeth of the other jaw. Most often caused by an abnormal jaw structure or excessive thumb sucking, an open bite can cause poor or painful chewing, and even speech impairment.
