Common Orthodontic Problems
What is a crossbite?
When you close your mouth and some of your upper teeth are sitting inside your lower teeth — rather than on the outside, like they normally would — your doctor calls this a crossbite.
What kinds of problems can a crossbite cause?
A crossbite can make your teeth wear down or chip. It can also make your gums start to recede or make little notches above your gum line. This kind of damage can lead to painful gum problems or even bone loss.
What is open bite?
If your upper and lower teeth don't touch when your mouth is closed, your doctor calls this an open bite.
What kinds of problems can an open bite cause?
An open bite can make it hard to chew or difficult to bite into some common foods, like apples.
What is overbite?
An overbite is when your upper front teeth overlap with your lower front teeth. Most people have at least a little overbite.
What kinds of problems can an overbite cause?
When your overbite is too large, your doctor might tell you you have a deep bite. This can cause problems, from your teeth wearing down to pain in your jaw. Doctors use a percentage to describe overbites, and 5 to 25 percent is ideal.
What is an underbite?
An underbite is when you close your mouth and your lower front teeth are in front of your upper teeth. In many cases, this is actually a problem with your lower jaw being too far forward.
What kinds of problems can an underbite cause?
An underbite can make it hard to chew properly and speak clearly, and it might cause your teeth to wear down more quickly.
What are crowded teeth?
When you don't have enough room in your jaw for your teeth to fit normally, your teeth can bunch up, overlap and twist, sometimes getting pushed to the front or the back.
What kinds of problems can crowded teeth cause?
Crowded teeth can make it hard to brush and floss well. Then it’s easier for plaque, tartar, and harmful bacterial to build up – and down the line, this can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Your crowded teeth can also get worse over time.
What are gap teeth?
When you have extra space between two or more of your teeth, your doctor calls this spacing issues or gap teeth.
What kinds of problems can gap teeth cause?
Gap teeth can create pockets between your teeth and gums where food can get stuck. It can make your gums tender and sore and even lead to gum disease.
What is Phase 1?
As a child grows, their smile grows with them. And even with baby teeth, it may be the perfect time for children ages 6 to 10 to start orthodontic treatment. This is known as Phase 1 treatment.
What are the advantages of Phase 1 treatment?
The goal of Phase 1 treatment is to develop young jaws and/or arches to make room for existing teeth and for incoming permanent teeth.
Can prevent pre-existing bite issues from getting worse.
Can fix existing teeth straightening conditions.
Can improve the appearance of a growing child’s smile.
Can help with oral habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
Can make Phase 2 treatment shorter and easier.
Crooked Teeth seem like a little thing. Why should you fix it?
You like your smile — but you really want to love it. Maybe you have a special event coming up, or you want the confidence to take on the world at work or at school. Small fixes can make a big difference, and with Invisalign treatment you can now see the difference faster than with braces.