Crowded teeth are one of the most common problems in orthodontics. Crowding is the result of inadequate space in the jaws to accommodate all of the teeth. An overbite is one of the most common orthodontic problems. In an overbite, the upper front teeth extend over the lower front teeth.
This sometimes causes the lower front teeth to bite the roof of the mouth. In the most severe cases, an overbite can make chewing difficult. It's usually best to correct this problem with braces during adolescence. However, adults can also correct the problem with braces.
A variety of orthodontic problems can be a challenge for children, teens and adults. From cluttered teeth and spacing issues to underbites and overbites, the doctors at Montini Orthodontics are here to help patients in Ocala, Gainesville and throughout North Central Florida. Malocclusion literally means “bad bite” and is the number one reason people see an orthodontist. There are many different forms of “bad bites” that can lead to a variety of complications.
Crowded teeth, the opposite of spacing, occur when there simply isn't enough room in the mouth for all of those teeth. The crowding worsens over time as one tooth pushes on the other, leading to the teeth overlapping. Crowded teeth are more difficult to clean than straight teeth, which will lead to cavities and cavities. The crowding can often be corrected by expanding to prevent tooth extraction.
In an underbite, the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw, which causes the lower teeth to protrude ahead of the upper ones. An overbite, or deep bite, occurs when the front teeth cover the lower teeth too much. Excessive overbiting causes tooth wear and tear and can even cause the lower teeth to bite the palate. Malocclusion, known as spacing, is too much space between the teeth.
Spacing can occur if teeth are missing, small, or if the dental arch is wide. The most common complaint of patients with excessive spacing is aesthetics. A crossbite is when the upper teeth of the back fit inside the teeth of the lower back. A crossbite causes stratification of the teeth and misaligned mandibular growth.
Adults often see their teeth begin to pile up toward the center of the mouth. Your bite can also change to a misalignment due to a missing tooth. But it's good to know that regardless of your age, orthodontic treatment is available for all of the common orthodontic problems listed below, as long as your teeth and gums are healthy. It's also important to remember that wearing a retainer after any orthodontic treatment will help preserve the results for as long as possible.
Abnormal eruption occurs when a tooth comes out through the gum in the wrong place. If the tooth is locked so that it cannot fully grow (a situation called impaction), a minor oral surgical procedure may be required to uncover the tooth before orthodontic treatment begins. Crossbite occurs when one or more of the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of on the outside. This is usually related to misalignment of the upper and lower jaws.
In a child who is still growing, widening the upper jaw with an orthodontic appliance called a palatine expander may solve the problem. Excessive spacing can occur when one or more teeth don't grow, are lost due to trauma or illness, or there is a discrepancy between the size of the jaw and the size of the tooth. It's important to close gaps because excessive space allows nearby teeth to move out of position. Overbite (deep bite) occurs when the upper front teeth bite too far down on the lower teeth.
Sometimes the bite is so deep that the upper teeth completely cover the lower teeth, forcing the lower teeth to bite the palate. This is often due to a discrepancy in the size of the jaw. Orthodontists, with their advanced training in growth and development, have at their disposal a variety of techniques and appliances, as well as orthopedic appliances, to correct bite problems. These and other orthodontic problems usually become apparent around age 7, when the permanent teeth have started to come out.
This orthodontic problem occurs when the back bite doesn't fit properly and can adversely affect the jaw and proper dental function. The patient's parents were concerned about both the aesthetics and the health of the erupting permanent teeth when they took him to the orthodontist at age eight. Learn the basics of smile analysis and design and discover if the magic of orthodontics will work for you. Orthodontic problems can affect both children and adults, even those who used braces when they were young.
The need for orthodontics is the result of crooked and crowded teeth, a bad bite, or a combination of the two. This boy's parents were concerned about both the aesthetics and the health of his permanent teeth when they took him to the orthodontist at age eight. . .