Issues with the alignment of your bite are often why people turn to orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists deal primarily with resolving issues with the structure of the teeth and jawbone, which includes a bite that isn’t quite right. Aside from aesthetic concerns, different bite-related issues can impact the health of your teeth. They can put undue pressure on certain teeth or make it more difficult to clean the teeth properly. They also often cause significant pain, especially when they prevent you from being able to chew properly.

Keep in mind that there is never a smile that is too far gone to be saved, so contact us if you have any concerns regarding your bite. At Bailey Orthodontics, we are passionate about making orthodontic treatment accessible and ensuring that you have the most positive experience possible. We offer multiple financing options to ensure that you can obtain the services that you need. Here are a few common issues related to your bite, as well as potential options for treating them.

Overbite

An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth cover a portion of the lower front teeth. The vast majority of people have a slight overbite. However, when the overbite is too large, it can result in significant issues for your teeth. It can cause teeth to wear out more quickly and can cause substantial pain in the jaw. The size of the overbite is generally measured in percentages, which will allow your orthodontist to determine whether the overbite is large enough to cause issues with your teeth. Receiving the appropriate treatment and care can help to lessen the size of an overbite, which will both enhance the appearance of the teeth and ensure that they can remain as healthy as possible. An excessively large overbite is often referred to as a “deep bite” because overbites are so common. This helps to differentiate between a regular overbite and an overbite that may cause an issue with the smile. 

Underbite

Conversely to an overbite, an underbite occurs when the lower teeth remain out in front of the upper front teeth when the jaw is closed. This is commonly due to the lower jaw being too far forward, which causes this misalignment. An underbite often results in difficulty eating properly, which can lead to further issues with nutrition and maintaining a healthy diet. It can also impact an individual’s speech, which can make it more difficult to speak clearly and be understood. Underbites can put unevenly distributed pressure on the teeth, which can cause them to wear down quickly, as well. This condition is less common than overbites, but still occurs frequently. The appropriate treatment for an underbite will depend primarily on the severity of the situation.

Crossbite

In a healthy bite, the upper front teeth generally sit outside of your lower front teeth. A crossbite occurs when some of the upper teeth are located behind the lower teeth when the jaw is closed. In these situations, it is often that the teeth are misaligned within the mouth, which causes some teeth to be outside, while others tilt inward. A crossbite tends to put significant amounts of pressure on the teeth, which leads to excessive wear, as well as makes the teeth vulnerable to chipping. This can also cause the gums to recede or sustain other issues. These issues with the gums can result in severe pain and even deterioration of the bone.

Open Bite

In an open bite, the upper and lower front teeth don’t touch when the jaw is closed. This is often attributed to using a pacifier for too long or frequently sucking the thumb as a child. These actions cause the teeth to grow in at angles surrounding the implement, whether pacifier or thumb, which creates an open bite. An open bite can cause substantial aesthetic concern and self-esteem issues, as they are rather apparent. One of the largest problems caused by an open bite is difficulty chewing. This can make it incredibly difficult to bite into certain types of foods, like apples. An open bite is commonly due to the teeth growing in at an angle, though some jaw conditions may result in an open bite, as well. Obtaining the appropriate orthodontic care can ensure that the teeth are able to fit together properly, which can alleviate many related problems.

Treatment Options

There are multiple treatment options to ensure that a successful method is attainable to fix your misaligned bite. For overbites, treatments like braces or Invisalign are often able to resolve the issue, ensuring that the overbite is at a healthy size. Underbites can be treated by the same techniques. In severe cases, these techniques may be used in conjunction with surgical orthodontics to effectively resolve the existing issue. For issues that are related to the jawbone being misaligned, methods to straighten it can be implemented. In some cases, this is as simple as using elastics with braces to move the jaw into place. Other situations may require alternative appliances. Crossbites are often caused by misaligned teeth, so traditional teeth straightening methods may aid in resolving these issues. Whatever the prevalent issue is in the smile, orthodontic treatment can be customized to effectively resolve your concerns. 

Contact Us Today!

Issues with your smile can lead to a wide array of problems. They can cause individuals to feel self-conscious, which can result in them smiling less often. This can also make it more difficult for them to communicate with others and can affect their quality of life. Structural issues with the teeth can make it difficult to eat nutritious foods, which can cause further damage to both their health and the general health of the individual. These issues may also make the teeth more difficult to keep clean, which can simply exacerbate potential problems. Here at Bailey Orthodontics, we strive to provide compassionate, effective orthodontic treatment to eliminate these problems in the mouth. To learn more about the treatment options we provide or to schedule an appointment with us, contact our experts today. 

There are over 4 million people that have braces in the United States alone. If you are unhappy with your smile, or you feel like your teeth aren’t looking quite as good as you’d like them to be, it’s time to consider braces. Fortunately advancements in orthodontia have brought about new styles of braces so patient’s aren’t regulated to just one option. The three most common types of braces are: traditional, self-ligating brackets, and Invisalign. The modern braces are smaller and comfortable compared to styles from even a decade ago. With our innovative designs and patient treatment plans, we can help you finally have the perfect smile you’ve always wanted.

Traditional Braces

It’s common for children to have traditional braces as they are normally the most affordable option for parents. Traditional braces are typically made with a system of brackets and wires. The brackets are designed to fit the tooth and shaped and bonded to keep them from slipping and falling. An arch wire is then used to shape the bite into the position of how it should look. The brackets and metal wire work together to place gentle pressure on the teeth, forcing them to slowly move position.

The modern brackets we use have a smaller and smoother design from the older styles. We also have thinner wires so there is less friction and discomfort for patients. We know how many people feel about the look of braces, so we work hard to try and limit how large and bulky they feel. We want our patients to still feel comfortable sharing their smiles with others.

The fun thing about braces for children is the fact that they love to place colorful elastics with then. Metal braces are still affordable and popular for patients, especially for younger patients. We do recommend parents look at all the various options available in order to choose the right braces. Traditional braces are recommended for children so they do not need to worry about remembering to place aligners in their mouth. Traditional braces are always placing force on the teeth, so it does tend to bring about faster results from other options.

Self-Ligating Braces

Unlike traditional braces that include rubber bands around the brackets, the self-ligating braces are designed to use small metal doors to hold the wires. Self-ligating braces are popular because they can speed up the alignment stage of orthodontics since there is less friction with the wires and metal doors. The metal doors are nice because they are a little easier to clean than the elastics. If there are spaces, some patients will need to have some elastic chains during treatment.

Invisalign

Adults often feel embarrassed by needing braces, so they don’t want to have the traditional metal or ceramic braces bonded to their teeth. Invisalign may be the right option for patients who want to adjust their teeth without it being visible. A fixed appliance is a great option if you don’t want to worry about dealing with brackets and wires.

Invisalign works by having a digital scan of your mouth completed to create the 3D model of your mouth and then we create plastic aligners based on our recommendations and specifications. The custom aligners will be placed over your teeth and you wear them all day and night, except when you are eating. As long as you remember to wear the aligners, they work effectively to move the teeth into proper position.

Depending upon the movement of the teeth, you normally get a new set of aligners every two to three weeks. The teeth start to shift with each set of aligners until they have finally made it to the right position. When you are finished with the treatment, you will have a beautiful smile you can share with others!

Getting Started With Braces

Now that you understand the different types of braces, we recommend contacting our office to schedule a consultation. Our experts are here to help you finally get that perfect smile you’ve always dreamed of! We will sit down with you and go over the various types of braces, the amount of time in which you will need braces, and the costs. Come visit our Farmington Orthodontic or Bountiful Orthodontic office to get started on your journey to a straighter smile!