Do you stare into the mirror at night, studying your teeth and wondering if they’re normal? Many people that are unhappy with their smile do. Occlusion, or dental bite, is how your upper and lower teeth fit together when closed or chewing. When the bite is out of alignment, it an impact your comfort and confidence. As a full service dentist and orthodontist in Phoenix, we can diagnose and correct a multitude bite of concerns. These are just a few examples.
Normal Bite
With a normal bite, the upper and lower teeth form two tidy arches. The teeth meet and close evenly, and the upper arch is slightly wider than the lower. Looking from the side, the teeth fit together like the teeth of two gears. The top of the upper teeth come to rest between two of the lower teeth. The teeth shouldn’t look too long or too short.
A normal bite is:
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Ideal for chewing and speaking
• Comfortable
• Supportive for the teeth and jaw
• Less prone to bruxism and TMJ pain
• Less prone to tooth sensitivity
Crowding
One of the most common types of bite issues is crowding. Crowding occurs when there isn’t enough space for the teeth to fit normally in the jaw. Teeth can end up rotated, crooked or “shoved” behind one another.
Crowding can:
• Make thorough brushing difficult
• Lead to tooth decay and gum disease
• Contribute to bruxism and TMJ pain
Spacing
The opposite of crowding, spacing occurs when there’s excess room in the jaw, teeth protrude or there’s a gum abnormality. Missing teeth or abnormally small teeth can also cause spacing. Spacing results in gaps between teeth.
Spacing can:
• Make chewing and speech difficult
• Contribute to gum problems
Crossbite
A crossbite is when one or more upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth instead of overlapping properly. In the front teeth, it’s typically caused by the teeth not growing in with correct alignment. In the back teeth, it’s typically caused by a narrowed jaw. Because crossbites can be detrimental to the development of the mouth, children diagnosed with one are immediately referred to an orthodontist in Phoenix for early correction.
Crossbites can:
• Cause difficulty chewing
• Cause asymmetrical jaw development
• Lead to premature wear on teeth
• Contribute to bruxism and TMJ pain
• Contribute to gum disease
Deep Bite or “Overbite”
An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth cover too much of the lower front teeth. The lower front teeth may be completely hidden and could even dig into the gum line of the upper teeth. It’s caused by excessive bone development or how the teeth grow in.
Overbites can:
• Wear down teeth
• Lead to bone and gum damage
• Cause discomfort and dysfunction of the front teeth
Overjet
Overjet is commonly confused with underbite, but they’re distinct alignment concerns. Overjet occurs when the front teeth protrude too far over the lower teeth, resulting in a “buck tooth” appearance. Jaw misalignment, flared front teeth, crowded back teeth and excessive thumb sucking can all contribute to overjet.
Overjet can:
• Wear down teeth
• Cause discomfort and dysfunction of the front teeth
Underbite
An underbite occurs when the lower teeth stick out in front of the upper teeth. It’s caused by to malformation of the upper or lower jaw or tilting of the upper or lower front teeth. Underbites are more difficult to correct as the patient ages, so children showing signs of an underbite should be seen by an orthodontist in Phoenix as soon as possible.
Underbite can:
• Cause overall oral discomfort and dysfunction
• Contribute to TMJ pain
Open Bite
An open bite occurs when the jaw is closed but the upper and lower front teeth don’t touch. It can be caused by jaw growth issues, but bad habits like tongue thrusting and thumb sucking are more common culprits. Open bites cause uneven pressure distribution in the mouth and are best treated as soon as possible.
Open bite can:
• Wear down the back teeth
• Contribute to TMJ pain and bruxism
• Cause oral discomfort and dysfunction
Impacted Teeth
Any tooth that fails to come in completely and is stuck partially or completely below the gums is impacted. Impaction is often called by abnormally positioning of the teeth, premature loss of baby teeth or tooth crowding. Some impactions require surgical intervention, but orthodontic treatment can also make room for the impacted tooth to erupt and help coax it in.
Impacted teeth can:
• Damage the roots of adjacent teeth, causing pain, abscesses and tooth loss
• Leave gaps in the smile
• Lead to improper alignment of the other teeth
• Cause oral discomfort and dysfunction
If you’re worried about the way your teeth fit together, an orthodontist is the person to call. Schedule an appointment with Sky Dental Alliance, an affordable orthodontist in Phoenix, for your free consultation.