Redlands orthodontic practice addresses a wide range of orthodontic imperfections to help restore your oral aesthetics and chewing functions. Having well-aligned teeth benefits you in numerous ways. But not all are blessed with it! Orthodontic problems can throw your teeth alignment out of place, resulting in poor oral function (chewing, and speech) and aesthetics.
In this informative blog, we will explore some common orthodontic problems that will help you determine when to seek dental help.
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a dentistry specialty that deals with the following:
- Diagnosis of misaligned teeth and jaws
- Prevention of misaligned teeth and jaws
- Management of misaligned teeth and jaws
- Correction of misaligned teeth and jaws
- Modification of facial growth, known as dentofacial orthopedics
- Orthodontists use braces, aligners, and other appliances to correct misaligned teeth and jaws.
What are orthodontic problems?
Orthodontic problems are issues that affect the alignment of teeth and jaws, leading to various dental issues, including difficulty chewing and speaking, gum disease, and even tooth loss.
Some common orthodontic problems include:
Malocclusion: This is a condition where the teeth are not correctly positioned when the mouth is closed, resulting in an improper bite.
Crooked teeth: This is one of the most common orthodontic problems, and it can lead to difficulties in cleaning teeth properly, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Teeth crowding: This occurs when there is insufficient space in the jaw for all teeth to fit normally, leading to teeth becoming twisted or displaced.
Overbite: This occurs when the upper teeth protrude significantly over the lower teeth, affecting chewing and speaking abilities and contributing to the wearing down of tooth enamel.
Underbite: This is characterized by the lower teeth extending beyond the upper teeth, affecting chewing and speaking abilities and contributing to the wearing down of tooth enamel.
Protruding teeth: This occurs when the teeth stick out further than is aesthetically pleasing, often developed due to tongue-thrusting, periodontal disease, missing or damaged teeth, or genetics.
Impacted teeth: This occurs when an adult tooth does not emerge from the gum or bone or only emerges partially.
Asymmetrical teeth: This occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not match, especially when the mouth is closed but the teeth are showing.
Deep bite or overbite: This occurs when the upper teeth come down too far over the lower teeth when the teeth are clenched.
Reverse bite: This occurs when the upper teeth bite inside the lower ones when the teeth are clenched.
Open bite: This occurs when there is an opening between the upper and lower teeth when the teeth are clenched.
Underbite: This occurs when the upper teeth are too far back, or the lower teeth are too far forward.
Crossbite: This occurs when at least one of the upper teeth does not come down slightly in front of the lower teeth when the teeth are clenched.
Spacing (diastema): This occurs when there are gaps or spaces between the teeth, either because a tooth is missing or the teeth do not fill up the mouth.
Bottom line
Anyone can suffer from orthodontic problems. It could stem due to genetics or may be acquired from a young age due to oral habits like thumb sucking, nail biting, mouth breathing, etc. There are several orthodontic problems like overbite, teeth crowding, protruding teeth, crossbite, and underbite to name a few. Orthodontic treatment is necessary to correct these problems and usually involves the use of braces, aligners, and other appliances to move teeth into the correct position gradually.
If you or your child are suffering from any of the above-mentioned orthodontic problems, seek help from an experienced orthodontist for further evaluation and management. Early intervention will help offer quick, optimal, and long-lasting results.
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