In dental jargon, a bad bite is called a malocclusion and might not even be noticeable to you. So why bother seeking dental care? Well-aligned teeth are easier to keep clean, which means less risk of needing gum disease treatment later. Non-surgical bite correction also eliminates strain on your teeth, jaws and muscles, which lessens the risk of a broken tooth. It might also reduce the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ or TMD).
Types of Malocclusions
Gapped Teeth
Gaps between teeth can occur with abnormal continued growth of the jawbone. Missing teeth can also cause the surrounding teeth to shift due to the extra space, creating gaps in your teeth. Spacing issues and gaps between teeth can lead to gum problems (due to lack of protection by the teeth), periodontal pockets and increased risk of periodontal disease (gum disease).
Overbite
Overbite occurs when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. It’s typically caused by genetics, bad oral habits, or overdevelopment of the bone that supports the teeth. This can lead to gum problems or irritation, and/or wear on the lower teeth, and can cause painful jaw and joint problems.
Underbite
Underbite can occur when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. It’s usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. It can also be caused by missing upper teeth. This can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars, which can lead to tooth wear. It can also cause painful jaw and joint problems.
Open Bite
Open bite often occurs when some teeth are unable to make physical contact with the opposing teeth for a proper bite. Most often caused by a genetic abnormal jaw structure or excessive thumb-sucking, an open bite can cause poor or painful chewing, and even speech impairment. It can also lead to greater issues like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
Overly Crowded
Teeth crowding occurs when there is simply a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally. When left untreated, overly crowded teeth can get worse over time, and result in severely crooked teeth. This crowding can lead to plaque accumulation, tooth decay and an increased chance of gum disease.
Crossbite
Crossbite can occur when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned. It causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, and can happen on both the front and the sides of the mouth. This can cause wear of the teeth, gum disease and bone loss.
Chew on This
Most malocclusions are discovered by a dentist during a routine dental exam. The dentist will watch as you bite down to see if your teeth align properly. If not, the dentist may suggest X-rays, molds of your teeth and possibly a visit to the orthodontist.
Although more severe cases of malocclusion may require some type of dental surgery (such as jaw surgery), several non-surgical bite correction techniques are more common:
Night Guards
Do you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding)? If so, your dentist might recommend a night guard, a custom-made plastic dental appliance that fits over your top or bottom teeth. Night guards are usually worn while you sleep. The goal is to reduce the wear and tear grinding causes your teeth, helping to improve a bad bite.
Tooth Reshaping
When teeth are fairly well aligned but still not touching perfectly, tooth reshaping may be the non-surgical bite correction treatment of choice. Rough or irregular teeth may be adjusted down to evenly distribute the pressure of your bite across all of your teeth. The dentist begins by having you bite down on a piece of coated paper placed between your upper and lower teeth. As you move your teeth around while biting, the paper will leave colored marks at the points where your teeth touch. Your dentist then uses a dental drill to shape the teeth so that they only touch where they are supposed to touch.
Orthodontics
A malocclusion is most often treated by an orthodontist. Through the use of dental braces, orthodontic retainers and other dental appliances, teeth are slowly moved into the desired position. This process can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months. Problems with teeth alignment are easier and quicker to treat when corrected early. That’s why dental braces are more common in children and teens since their jaws are still developing and their teeth are easier to move. But that doesn’t mean orthodontics can’t help adults! It just means it might take a little longer.
Replacement and Reconstruction
This includes repairing any worn out or damaged existing dental work, such as a tooth filling. It also includes reconstructing teeth that are cracked, broken or have a large cavities through dental bonding or a dental crown. The goal is to create healthy teeth that are the size and shape they should be.
Maintaining the Picture of Perfection
One important thing to remember is that your teeth don’t stop moving as you age. Even if you undergo non-surgical bite correction now, it doesn’t mean you won’t need some minor adjustments later. But don’t worry too much – the amount your teeth move is very slight and it takes years to see a noticeable change. As long as you continue having regular dental visits and keep practicing good oral hygiene, your dentist can make sure your perfect bite stays that way.
Sources: 1800Dentist.com, Invisalign.com
