Braces and other orthodontic treatments are used to treat malocclusion, which means having crooked teeth or a “poor bite.” One’s bite is the way the upper and lower teeth meet. Malocclusion is sometimes a cosmetic problem, but crooked teeth are also hard to care for properly. This can lead to tooth decay, or even tooth loss.
The most common kinds of malocclusion are:
– Upper protrusion (overjet) – The upper front teeth are pushed forward. This can be caused by a small lower jaw or by thumb-sucking, which may cause the roof of the mouth to change shape. Upper protrusion is sometimes referred to as buck teeth or overjet.
– Spacing or crowding problems – If a patient has too much or too little room in the mouth, spacing or crowding problems can occur. Crowding can keep the permanent teeth from coming in properly or at all.
– Open bite – The upper and lower front teeth do not overlap, thus creating an opening straight into the mouth. An open bite can also be present on the side(s) of the mouth.
– Overbite – If a patient has an excessive overbite, the upper front teeth sit too far over the lower front teeth. In extreme cases, this causes the lower teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth.
– Underbite – The front lower teeth are in front of the front upper teeth.
– Cross bite – A cross bite occurs when some or all of the upper teeth are on the wrong side of the lower teeth.
– Rotated teeth – A tooth is turned or tipped.
For more information about malocclusion and to set up your next visit with our orthodontist, Dr. Muhammad Abey, feel free to call Wayne Family Orthodontics at 973-341-3180 today.