Orthodontic Disorders - Type of Bites
Crossbite
Crossbites can occur in the front and/or the sides of the mouth: One or more upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth. This can occur with a single tooth or multiple teeth. Early correction of crossbite is recommended.
Crossbite should be corrected because it can create these problems:
- cause premature wear of the teeth
- cause gum disease including bone loss
- cause asymmetrical development of the jaws
- 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, the arch needs to be expanded with braces or other intra-oral appliances
Open Bite
Open bite 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. The timing of treatment is critical to the overall success of the therapy.
How can an open bite be orthodontically corrected?
Open bite can be corrected through growth modification of the jaws using braces, extrusion of the anterior teeth, and in some cases surgical correction of the jaws. Also breaking oral habits, such as digit sucking, will facilitate the correction of an open bite.
Overbite
Class II Overbite
An overbite is a dental condition that occurs when the upper front teeth extend over the lower front teeth. Generally, there is no contact between the upper and lower front teeth, and often, the lower incisors are not visible. Overbite can be caused by the disproportionate eruption of front teeth or excessive bone development that supports the teeth. It can also result from a front-to-back discrepancy in the growth of the upper or lower jaw, which is known as a Class II relationship. Overbite is also referred to as a deep bite.
Overbite could cause various issues if not corrected:
- improper functioning of the front teeth
- the lower front teeth biting into the gum tissue of the upper palate leading to tissue problems
- unusual wear of the lower front teeth
- jaw or joint problems
- a less attractive smile
How can an overbite be orthodontically corrected?
Overbite can be corrected by 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
Class II Overjet
Overjet, also referred to as protrusion, occurs when the lower teeth are positioned too far behind the upper front teeth. This can be due to a variety of factors, including improper alignment of the molars (known as Class II Relationship), skeletal imbalance between the upper and lower jaw, flared upper incisors, missing lower teeth, or a combination of these factors. Additionally, oral habits such as thumb sucking, finger sucking, or tongue thrusting can worsen the condition.
Overjet should be corrected to prevent certain conditions:
- proper functioning of the front teeth
- premature wear
- a less attractive smile
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
Class III Underbite
When the lower teeth stick out past the upper front teeth, it's called an underbite. This happens because the upper jaw doesn't grow enough, the lower jaw grows too much, or both (known as a Class III relationship). An underbite can also be caused by upper front teeth that are flared out, missing lower teeth, or a combination of these factors. It's advisable to correct an underbite early on.
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.
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