Malocclusions and orthodontics

Malocclusion is the dental term for teeth that don’t fit together properly. Literally, malocclusion means “bad bite.” Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that corrects malocclusions and brings your teeth into proper alignment.

Importance of treatment

A malocclusion that isn’t corrected can affect your profile and appearance. Poorly aligned teeth can also contribute to tooth decay, bone destruction, loss of teeth, and jaw joint problems. These may, in turn, cause headaches, difficulty in opening and closing your mouth, clicking and popping sounds, and sore, painful jaw muscles.

Correcting your bite through orthodontic treatment can improve your dental health, and it has the added bonus of boosting your self-confidence and giving you a terrific looking smile.

Causes and types of malocclusions

Some people are lucky and naturally have straight teeth. Others aren’t as lucky. The size of your teeth and how they fit into your jaw are inherited traits, and malocclusion can often affect several generations. Besides genetics, malocclusions can also be caused by—

  • Accidents or disease.
  • A missing tooth, which allows the teeth around the open space to shift.
  • Habits such as thumb sucking, which can put pressure on teeth.
There are many types of malocclusions. Your upper or lower jaw may be too far in or out. There may not be enough space in your mouth for your teeth to develop properly, leading to crowding. On the other hand, you might have too much space between your teeth, allowing them to shift, or your teeth may be in crossbite, which means that one or more of your upper teeth bite inside your lower teeth.

 

SureSmile

Looking for an alternative to metal braces?

SureSmile is the clear and simple choice. No wires. No brackets. Just clear, convenient comfort—every reason to smile.
With SureSmile, your dentist or orthodontist can straighten your teeth using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners. Each aligner moves your teeth just a little bit at a time until you eventually get straight teeth.

Common Problems that SureSmile Addresses

Crowding

When teeth are too tight together they can become crooked and cause discomfort, difficulty cleaning and lead to other dental problems.

Spacing

Gaps between teeth are generally undesirable cosmetically, but are also a dental concern for increasing the chance of tooth decay.

Overbite

Aside from generally being a cosmetic concern, overbites can also cause eating problems and dental issues.

Crossbite

When lower and upper teeth are not aligned properly it can cause difficulty chewing and lead to jaw and other dental problems.