When teeth are properly aligned, they are easy to clean, reducing your risk of dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease. They also distribute pressure evenly, preventing excessive wear and tear on one tooth or the jawbone.

The ideal teeth alignment is a normal bite or occlusion. Children can often benefit from boca Dental and Braces to help their teeth and jaws grow into the correct position naturally.

Having an overbite can have negative effects on both your smile and your health. This condition can cause jaw pain and chewing issues, leading to temporomandibular disorder (TMD). If you have an overbite, correcting the issue is important to prevent more serious dental problems in the future.

Overbite occurs when your upper teeth protrude over your lower teeth. A 10 to 20% overlap between the upper and lower teeth is typically normal. However, overbites can worsen if the upper and lower jaw grows at different rates or are unevenly shaped. Harmful oral habits such as thumb sucking, clenching, or grinding your teeth (bruxism) may also contribute to overbites.

Overbite treatment varies depending on the severity of the malocclusion, but we can use braces or clear aligners to straighten your smile and correct the alignment of the lower jaw. We can also address the underlying causes of the overbite to prevent it from recurring.

A severe overbite can make it difficult to chew food, leading to nutritional deficiencies and gastrointestinal issues. It can also impact speech, causing a lisp or slurred pronunciation of certain sounds. In addition, an overbite can cause the lower incisors to wear down quicker than they should, leading to tooth decay and tooth loss.

Besides the physical issues that come with overbites, they can also lead to a lack of confidence and social isolation. People self-conscious about their teeth might not smile as much, missing out on the feel-good chemicals released when they do. Additionally, people with an overbite are at a higher risk of jaw pain, TMD, and sleep apnea.

Overbite can be corrected using traditional braces or Invisalign, and we can help you develop healthier oral hygiene habits to prevent future problems. Once you have achieved a more balanced bite, we will provide a retainer to keep your new alignment in place. By wearing your retainer regularly, you can avoid further orthodontic treatments in the future. Our orthodontist can recommend the right treatment based on your needs and situation.

An underbite is a malocclusion in which the lower teeth extend farther than the upper teeth. This is a more serious condition than an overbite and can cause several health issues, including difficulty chewing, bacterial infections, poor posture, and even sleep apnea.

The most common causes of underbites are genetics and prolonged childhood behaviors, such as prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use, and pushing on teeth with the tongue. Jaw injuries can also cause underbites, but surgery can often correct these. Finally, tumors can affect the shape of the jaw and mouth and lead to an underbite.

In most cases, an underbite can be fixed with braces. These will twist, pull, and move the teeth into better positions. The treatment can also include a jaw extender that fits over the back teeth to push out and then extend the palate gradually.

It is important to correct any dental alignment issues as soon as possible, so it is recommended that patients schedule regular visits with their dentist. Catching these problems early will help prevent them from worsening over time and reduce the risk of complications such as gum disease, jaw pain, and tooth decay.

The most effective treatment for an underbite is to wear braces to straighten the teeth. These can include traditional metal braces, clear aligners, or a combination of these devices. A reverse complete facemask may help retrain the jaw to close properly for patients with severe underbites.

Having a good bite can improve your oral hygiene, which will help to reduce the risks of dental problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). It can also help to decrease snoring and sleep apnea and reduce the strain on the mouth and face muscles.

A crossbite is a malocclusion that happens when your lower teeth sit on or over the upper teeth. This condition can affect a single tooth or multiple teeth on either the front or back of your mouth. In addition to affecting your smile’s appearance, this condition strains your jaw joints (TMJs), which can cause pain and other chronic medical problems over time. If you suffer from a crossbite, seeking treatment as soon as possible is important to avoid further complications.

There are several effective methods for treating a crossbite, depending on the severity and age of your case. Orthodontic treatment can correct this malocclusion and help you achieve a healthy, comfortable bite. In addition, a corrected crossbite reduces the friction between teeth. It can prevent food particles from becoming trapped in these nooks and crannies, leading to dental decay and other health problems.

One of the most common ways to treat a crossbite is through palatal expanders. These devices widen the narrow dental arches to move the upper and lower teeth into proper alignment. This is a highly effective method for treating crossbites, and it can be used in conjunction with braces or Invisalign to speed up the alignment process.

Invisalign is a popular choice for adults who want to treat their crossbite. This orthodontic method uses clear, removable aligners to shift the position of your teeth gradually. This method is often less invasive than traditional braces and does not require dietary restrictions.

Other treatments for a crossbite include dental restorations, which can improve mild misalignment by reshaping or covering your teeth to give them a more natural look. If you have a severe crossbite, surgery may be necessary to adjust the shape of your jaw and teeth. In most cases, however, early intervention can avoid more serious problems. Visiting an orthodontist regularly for dental cleaning and check-ups is important to spot any misalignments in their earliest stages. With the right treatment, you can enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for life!

Straightening them offers far more than a pretty smile if you have crooked teeth. Correcting malocclusions (the technical term for how your teeth fit together) helps avoid many serious oral and health issues.

Symptoms of malocclusions may not be obvious, but they often include problems with biting and chewing food that can cause tooth pain. The misalignment may also lead to speech issues, such as a lisp. If you notice that you are frequently experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist or orthodontist to learn if you have a malocclusion.

The most common type of malocclusion is an overbite, which occurs when your upper teeth overlap your lower teeth or come directly in contact with them. Other types of malocclusion include an open bite, in which the teeth are spaced too far apart, and a crossbite, which occurs when your upper and lower teeth meet at different angles.

Teeth that are not well-aligned create additional spaces where bacteria can hide, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Over time, the bacteria build up and harden into tartar, which can erode your teeth and jawbones. These hardened bacteria can also make it more difficult to clean your teeth effectively, resulting in increased cavities and bad breath.

These hardened bacteria can also spread to other parts of your body, such as the heart, causing problems with your blood pressure and heart valves. This is called periodontal or gum disease, which can affect people of all ages.

If you have crooked teeth, straightening them early can help improve your quality of life and boost your confidence. Many of the effects of crooked teeth can be reversed with orthodontic treatment, so don’t hesitate to contact a dentist or orthodontist today to get started!

Joan Richardson