In dentistry, the term “bite” refers to how your upper and lower teeth line up. A bite issue occurs when your teeth don’t come together properly. If you’re looking to fix your bite, Dr. Sandhu at Forest Lawn Dental Centre can provide orthodontics to help you get the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. However, there are several different kinds of bite issues and each has its own set of potential problems associated with it. Here are the most common types.
1. Overbite
In a normal bite, the top front teeth will slightly overlap the bottom front teeth. If you have an overbite, this overlap is especially pronounced. An overbite can occur when there’s too much or too little space for your teeth in your mouth. If your bite isn’t corrected, you may experience several uncomfortable symptoms, such as tooth decay, jaw pain, and difficulty eating, and it may actually change the structure of your face.
2. Underbite
The opposite of an overbite is an underbite. This problem occurs when the bottom teeth extend over the upper teeth. Among other things, this condition can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), a chronic disorder of the jaw joints.
3. Crossbite
A crossbite is diagnosed when one or several of the top teeth rests behind the bottom teeth. This can wear out the protective layer of enamel on the affected teeth and can cause your jaw to become lopsided.
4. Open bite
If your back teeth meet but your front teeth don’t touch when your mouth is closed, you likely have an open bite. This can be caused by excessive tongue sucking or thrusting. If untreated, you may experience problems with speech and swallowing.
5. Misplaced midline
If the centre line of your upper front teeth don’t match up with the corresponding point on your lower front teeth, you have a misplaced midline. This is usually the result of issues with the alignment of the bite of your back teeth and can lead to problems with your jaw.
6. Spacing
Having too much room between your teeth is problematic because food can easily get stuck in the gaps. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Spacing can be the result of an oversized jaw, missing teeth or undersized teeth.
7. Crowding
In contrast to spacing, crowding occurs when there isn’t enough room for all of your teeth to fit in your mouth. This may cause your teeth to become rotated, crooked or overlapped. Crowding also makes your teeth difficult to clean, which puts you at an increased risk for tooth decay.
Having Bite Issues? Book a Free Consultation with your Dentist at Forest Lawn Dental Centre in SE Calgary!
If you’re concerned that you or your child has a bite issue, make an appointment with the SE Calgary dental team at Forest Lawn Dental Centre. We’ll talk to you about your options, and whether or not braces are the right solution. Contact our clinic in Calgary for more information or to schedule an appointment.