Common Orthodontic Issues – Oklahoma City, OK
Correct Your Bite & Improve Your Life
Orthodontic issues are often viewed as an aesthetic concern – and while they certainly can detract from a smile’s appearance, the problems don’t stop there. They can also have a significant impact on your oral health, and cause difficulty with biting and chewing, speaking, and more. Luckily, our team here at Casady Square Orthodontics knows exactly how to help. Read on to learn more about some of the most common bite problems and other orthodontic issues we can treat, and of course, feel free to contact our Oklahoma City office if you have any questions.
Underbite
An underbite occurs when the lower jaw extends past the upper jaw, resulting in the bottom teeth sitting before your upper ones when you bite down. This can cause difficulty when chewing, as well as impact your facial structure by making your chin protrude.
Overbite
Normally, the upper teeth should sit slightly in front of your lower ones when you close your mouth, but if they rest too far ahead, you have what’s called an overbite. Left untreated, overbites can cause the enamel to wear down prematurely, as well as impact oral functionality.
Generally Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth can occur due to a variety of reasons, including physical trauma, genetics, or even simply from having a small mouth. In any case, the issues it can cause will impact your oral function and increase your risk of decay.
Open Bite
If you close your mouth and only your back teeth touch, while the upper and lower front ones remain apart, this is what’s called an open bite. It’s often the result of excessive thumb sucking as a child, and like other orthodontic issues, it can impact your ability to chew and speak properly.
Impacted Teeth
If some of your teeth haven’t fully erupted through the gumline, they’re impacted – this often occurs with the wisdom teeth, but it can affect any tooth in the mouth. It’s not always obvious, so it might need to be identified via X-ray imaging; however, it needs to be addressed to avoid potential complications.
Overcrowded Teeth
Believe it or not, some people are born with extra teeth, which can cause overcrowding in the mouth. On the other hand, it’s still possible to experience this issue if you don’t have extra teeth. In both cases, it can lead to various issues, including a heightened risk of decay, as well as an uneven bite.
Gaps Between Teeth
It’s possible for the teeth to become too spaced apart, either due to a wide dental arch, missing teeth, or smaller-than-normal teeth. This can lead to uncomfortable chewing, an increased risk of oral health issues, and all kinds of other issues.
Crossbite
This issue involves one or more of your upper teeth resting behind your lower ones. If left untreated, a crossbite can greatly impede jaw function and dental development. It can occur on one or both sides of the mouth, too.
Excessive Overjet
An excessive overjet occurs when the top front teeth stick out far beyond the bottom ones, creating a significant gap between the two arches. This can make your top teeth look far too long, as well as cause eating and speech impediments.
Orthodontic Extractions
In some cases, we may need to extract a tooth or multiple teeth to effectively correct your orthodontic solution. Rest assured, we’ll only do this when absolutely necessary and if we’re certain it’s the best solution for improving your bite and future oral health.