Overbite
An overbite occurs when the upper teeth are too far in front of the lower teeth. It can be due to a large upper jaw, a small lower jaw, protruding upper teeth or a combination of these factors. Orthodontists call this a class 2 problem. Typically the jaw growth pattern is inherited, but can be worsened by habits such as thumb-sucking. |
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Underbite
Underbites (a class 3 problem) occur when the lower teeth bite in front of the upper teeth. The lower jaw may be too big and / or the upper jaw may be too small. Underbites are usually inherited. |
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Crowding
Crowding usually stems from a discrepancy between the space available in the jaw and the size of the teeth. Aside from appearance, crooked teeth may be associated with gum problems and a higher risk of decay due to difficulty in cleaning. |
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Spacing
Like crowding, generalised spacing may be related to a tooth-to-jaw size disharmony. Localised spacing can be caused by protrusion of front teeth, or prominence of the fleshy tissue between the front teeth. Other contributing factors include unusually narrow teeth and missing or impacted teeth. |
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Deep Bite
In a deep bite, the upper front teeth cover most or all of the lower front teeth. Sometimes the lower front teeth may even touch the roof of the mouth and cause trauma to the gum. Excessive front tooth wear is a common consequence of an untreated deep bite. Deep bites can also cause gummy smiles and jaw joint pain. |
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Open Bite
In an open bite, there is an opening between the upper and lower teeth. This condition may exist in the front teeth, in the back teeth, or in both. Tongue thrust, speech problems, allergies, and breathing difficulties might be the cause of an open bite. An open bite can make eating more difficult, such as taking a bite of a sandwich. |
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Crossbite
Normally the upper teeth bite outside the lower teeth. This is true for both front and back teeth. Crossbites occur when this situation is reversed and upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. Back tooth crossbites usually result from a narrow upper jaw or sometimes a wide lower jaw. They can occur on one or both sides of the mouth. Sometimes the true bite is edge-to-edge but the lower jaw is moved to the side so that it seems as if only one side is affected. This posturing can cause the jaw to grow abnormally. Front tooth crossbites can also cause this problem if the teeth clash together when the jaws close. Excess tooth wear is the most common result of a front tooth crossbite. Early treatment is always advisable for any crossbite. |
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