Everyone wants that perfect smile, but the chances of being born with perfectly aligned teeth is pretty rare. Most smiles will be affected by one of several common bite issues that result in misaligned teeth or the upper and lower jaw not fitting properly together. These issues are referred to as "malocclusions," and all of them typically require orthodontic treatment to create the perfect healthy smile. If a malocclusion is left untreated, it can lead to various issues, including difficulty with speech, accelerated wear and damage to your teeth, a higher risk of dental problems like gum disease or tooth decay, and a higher chance of injuring your teeth or jaw joints.
Here at Lindsey Orthodontics, we offer professional orthodontic care that is personalized just for you. We work with patients of all ages, from kids who are just starting to develop their smile to adults looking to achieve the radiant, perfect smile of their dreams. With the experience of Dr. Lindsey and our talented orthodontic staff, we can work with you to fix any common bite problem to create a healthy smile that will last a lifetime. Read the following to learn more about the common bite problems that we can treat with orthodontic care.
Underbite
An underbite is when the lower jaw extends out further than the upper jaw, which results in the lower teeth overlapping and sitting in front of the upper teeth.
Overbite
An overbite is the opposite of an underbite when the upper jaw extends out further than the lower jaw, causing the upper teeth to rest in front of the lower teeth when biting down. With a severe overbite, it's possible for the lower front teeth to even bite into the roof of the mouth, which can be painful. An overbite can result in some other common smile issues, such as a "gummy" smile where a large portion of the gums shows when smiling, protruding lips, or accelerated wear on your incisors.
Crossbite
A crossbite is when the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth, which can be uncomfortable and lead to bite, speech, and other jaw development problems. While it looks similar to an overbite, it's more of an issue with teeth alignment than misalignment of the jaw. In many crossbite cases, people will have to move their lower jaw forward to close their mouth comfortably. This can lead to other dental issues and even contribute to asymmetry with the facial structure.
Upper Front Teeth Protrusion
An upper front teeth protrusion is similar to an overbite in appearance and can negatively impact the appearance and function of your teeth. This malocclusion is typically characterized by the upper teeth extending too far forward, so they are protruding at an angle from the smile. In some cases, it's not the upper teeth that are the problem, but rather it's the lower teeth not extending far enough forward.
Crowding
Crowding teeth is a common issue that can range from just a few teeth being misaligned to your entire smile being pushed together. Crowding results from an insufficient room in the gums for the teeth to develop, causing them to collide and push against each other during development and forcing them to grow at different angles. If crowded teeth are not corrected with braces or Invisalign, it could lead to periodontal problems such as gingivitis, severe gum disease, and tooth decay due to the difficulty of cleaning crowded teeth.
Spacing
While spacing is sometimes an issue of missing teeth, it's also possible for spaces to naturally develop in the smile if there is too much room in the jaw for the teeth to grow, or the teeth are smaller than average. Spaces in the teeth can lead to issues with speech or a greater risk of gum disease since there is more room for food and bacteria to build up.
Open Bite
An open bite is when the lower front teeth and upper front teeth don't come together when biting down, resulting in an opening in the smile. Open bites can dramatically impact comfort when chewing and speaking. If someone with an open bite also has habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, it can worsen dental and orthodontic issues.
Dental Midlines Don’t Match Up
Your dental midlines are the lines between your two front upper teeth and the two lower bottom teeth. Typically, one sign of a properly aligned smile is when these two midlines match up together from one end to the other. However, when these midlines don't match up, it means that the upper or lower jaw is misaligned to either side. Even if the teeth themselves seem relatively straight, the jaw misalignment could lead to more serious dental or orthodontic issues in the future.
Treatment Options in Griffin and Locust Grove, GA
At Lindsey Orthodontics, we have several different treatment options for bite issues, including traditional metal braces, clear braces, Damon braces, and Invisalign for both adults and teens. We also utilize a state-of-the-art digital impression system known as iTero to take impressions for making your orthodontic appliance.
Make an Appointment with Lindsey Orthodontics Today!
Everything that you and your family need to have perfect, healthy smiles that last for a lifetime is right here at Lindsey Orthodontics. If you have any questions about your bite issues or you'd like to schedule an appointment, contact us. With two local offices in Griffin and Locust Grove, GA, the professional orthodontic care that you need is never far from home!