Misaligned teeth, known as malocclusion, can be embarrassing and sometimes even cause pain. More than that, though, it can cause irreversible health effects that can change your daily life. Fortunately, Dr. Struhs has nearly two decades of experience helping his patients in Parker and Castle Rock, CO fix their smiles and lead healthier lives.
Here’s how orthodontics can correct your bite pattern.
Can an Orthodontist Fix a Misaligned Bite?
Keeping your teeth clean is one important step to strong dental hygiene. But, a misaligned bite is another important issue that can be easily overlooked.
A normal bite means your upper and lower teeth fit together evenly. A bad bite, or malocclusion, happens when your teeth are mismatched. Luckily, orthodontics can help you fix a misaligned bite. First, you’ll need a thorough exam to determine what bite pattern issues you have.
Common Bite Pattern Issues
Through our numerous alignment correction methods, we can help with any bite pattern issue that comes through our doors, including:
- Crossbite: A crossbite is when one or more top teeth close inside of the bottom ones.
- Crowded Teeth: When teeth are crowded, they push together and move to random positions.
- Open Bite: An open bite is when the front upper and lower teeth have space between them when biting down.
- Overbite: The opposite of an open bite, this is when the top teeth overlap the lowers excessively when you close your mouth. This can lead to traumatic and uneven tooth wear.
- Overjet: Commonly known as “buck teeth”, this is seen when the top front teeth protrude forward over the bottom ones.
- Underbite: Underbites are defined by the lower teeth closing in front of the top teeth, usually caused by jaw misalignment.
- TMJ Problems: Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can result from malocclusion and cause headaches, jaw popping, and jaw pain.
Bite Correction Methods
Treatment options differ depending on the nature of the malocclusion. A misaligned jaw is treated differently than an open bite, for example. Below is a list of common bite correcting treatments.
- Braces
- Herbst Oral Appliance
- Retainers
- Tooth Shaping
- Expanders
- Orthognathic Surgery
- Orthodontic Headgear
Causes of Improper Bite Pattern
According to the National Library of Medicine, malocclusion affects about 60% of the world’s population to some degree. There are numerous ways to develop an improper bite pattern so it’s no wonder why so many people have it. Some of the more common ways improper bite patterns can occur includes:
- Thumb Sucking
- Prolonged Bottle Use
- Using a Pacifier Past Age three
- Abnormal Teeth or Tooth Growth
- Mouth or Jaw Tumors
- Jaw Injury
- Improperly Fitting Fillings, Crowns, or Dental Appliances
Health Risks Associated With an Improper Bite Pattern
It’s a common misconception that the only reason to fix bite patterns is for aesthetic purposes. Many problems can result from misaligned teeth such as a decline in overall health. We’ve compiled a list of some of the health risks associated with neglecting malocclusion.
Tooth Decay
An improper bite pattern allows food to easily get trapped between teeth and can make cleaning them more difficult. As a result, those with malocclusion tend to have higher rates of tooth decay in the form of cavities or even gum disease. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss, respiratory complications, and heart disease, among other things.
Tooth Damage
Teeth misalignment can put excessive pressure on teeth when chewing and talking. This can lead to cracking, chipping, and breaking of otherwise healthy permanent teeth.
Bite Pattern Correction in Parker & Castle Rock, CO
As you can see, bite pattern issues are not something that should be ignored. If they aren’t fixed, they can cause adverse health effects and cost you significantly more money down the road.
Call or schedule an appointment at our Parker or Castle Rock office today to make an appointment and get ahead of any bite pattern issues!