MALOCCLUSION: IMPROVING YOUR SMILE AND ORAL HEALTH
Orthodontic treatment goes beyond enhancing the appearance of your smile; it corrects malocclusions, which are irregular or bad bites caused by tooth and/or jaw misalignment. Malocclusions impact various aspects of your oral health, including chewing, cleaning your teeth, speech, and overall confidence in your smile.
It is essential to address malocclusions (bad bites) promptly. According to research conducted by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), untreated malocclusions can lead to several problems:
- Crowded teeth make proper brushing, flossing, and cleaning challenging, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Protruding teeth are more prone to accidental damage, chips, and fractures.
- Crossbites and underbites (reverse overlap of teeth) can lead to uneven jaw and facial growth, as well as irregular tooth wear.
- Open bites (lack of vertical overlap of front or back teeth) can result in tongue-thrusting habits, speech difficulties, and excessive tooth wear.
- If left untreated, these conditions may require extensive treatment or even surgery in the future.
Ultimately, orthodontic treatment not only gives you a beautiful, straight smile but also improves your overall oral health.
Here are common malocclusions/conditions that can be treated with orthodontics:
OVERJET: When the upper front teeth stick out more than usual (“Overbite”).
UNDERBITE: When the upper front teeth bite behind the lower teeth, causing the lower teeth to protrude.
CROWDING: When there isn’t enough space for the upper and/or lower teeth.
EXCESS SPACE: When there are unusual gaps between the upper and/or lower teeth.
CROSSBITE: When the upper back (or front) teeth bite inside the lower teeth, creating a reverse overlap.
OPEN-BITE: When the front (or back) teeth don’t overlap properly.
MIDLINE MISALIGNMENT: – When the center of the upper and lower teeth doesn’t line up.
DEEP BITE: When the upper front teeth cover too much of the lower front teeth.