When most people think of the word “bite,” they think of the action required to get a bit of a fresh apple, for example. However, that’s not the only meaning of the word. When orthodontists refer to bite, they mean how a person’s upper and lower teeth meet. While the technical term for a poor bite is “malocclusion,” people commonly describe these concerns as bite issues.
Bite is an easy way for us to understand the alignment of a person’s teeth and jaw. Most people have probably heard the terms “overbite” and “underbite,” which are just two types of overbite that exist. As you’ll see, the impact of bite can negatively impact mental and physical health, which is why bite correction can be crucial to quality of life.
What Causes Orthodontic Bite Issues?
Genetics is one of the most common causes of bite issues. This is why multiple people in the same family may have the same type of bite. Genes especially influence underbites more than they do overbites. Another factor where genes play a role in bite is jaw size because a small jaw can lead to overcrowding and overlapping teeth. Because genetics contribute to bite, parents can watch for similar bite issues in children to prevent them from developing severe issues.
However, someone might experience issues that need bite correction for more reasons than their genes. People sometimes develop habits that impact their bite. Unfortunately, these habits can start impacting people in childhood, such as thumb-sucking, prolonged pacifier use, and even bottle-feeding. These habits don’t just happen in childhood, either. People can grind their teeth at any age, which impacts bite.
Facial and jaw injuries can also cause orthodontic bite issues at any age if broken bones fuse so that teeth don’t align well when the jaw is closed. Accidents and tumors can both cause such injuries. Injuries can also cause tooth loss, leading to further malformations and potential bite issues like those below.
Types of Bite Issues
Below are the most common dental bite issues people can experience. Keep in mind that a normal bite allows the jaw to close, with top and bottom molars fitting snugly together. Typically, these concerns are split into mild, moderate, and severe cases.
Overbite: When the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth. The upper teeth overlap the lower teeth slightly with a normal bite, but an overbite involves a more drastic overlap of more than 1/3 of the lower teeth. The most severe cases are known as deep bites.
Underbite: When the lower front teeth protrude beyond the upper front teeth. This can make it look like the lower jaw is pulled forward, similar to a bulldog’s face.
Crossbite: When some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. Other upper teeth may overlap the lower teeth as usual.
Open Bite: When the upper and lower teeth don’t meet when the mouth is closed.
Other orthodontic bite issues include protrusion, where the front upper teeth stick out. This is commonly known as “buck teeth.”
Additionally, crowding and spacing issues can impact dental health and appearance.
Health and Functional Implications of Bite Issues
Serious orthodontic bite issues can make it difficult to chew, and some patients may experience difficulty swallowing. In addition to this, a malformed jaw or teeth may make it difficult to speak, leading to a speech impediment. This is especially common with open bites because the tongue can push between the teeth when talking. Some people may be surprised to learn that bite issues can even interfere with sleep, even causing sleep apnea, which comes with various symptoms.
Of course, long-term effects on oral health are expected consequences of bite issues. Without a normal bite, teeth may rub together, wearing down the enamel and ultimately making someone more prone to tooth decay. Orthodontic bite issues often come with jaw pain. Muscle tension and headaches can also happen because the muscles work harder to accommodate a poor bite.
Additionally, temporomandibular disorders, or TMJ disorders, affect the joint where the jaw meets the skull and may cause inflammation. In addition to difficulty with chewing, TMJ disorders can cause the jaw to click or lock. The pain from TMJ disorders can affect more than the face and jaw, too. People can experience neck, shoulder, and ear pain when this joint doesn’t function properly.
Unsurprisingly, bite issues change a person’s appearance, often away from what is considered normal or acceptable. These aesthetic variations can seriously impact someone’s self-esteem and cause insecurities, especially in romantic or professional situations. These insecurities are sometimes well-founded. Because appearance is so important in society, people may judge others for their bite issues, even if they are unaware of their biases.
Diagnosis and Orthodontic Evaluation
Diagnosis, which starts with an orthodontic consultation, is the first step in correcting bite problems and TMJ disorders. An orthodontist will visually examine the patient’s teeth, bite, and jaw alignment during this consultation. The orthodontist may also take X-rays and photographs to reveal the extent of any concerns. Current technology even allows orthodontists to make 3D images of the patient’s mouth to understand bite issues fully.
Furthermore, reviewing the patient’s medical and dental history and symptoms can help diagnose bite issues. This consultation may also involve making dental impressions. Not only can these impressions help with diagnosis, but they can also be used to make molds for any necessary orthodontic appliances for bite correction.
Once the orthodontist has diagnosed the bite problem, it’s time to talk about orthodontic treatment options for bite correction. The best plan will be personalized to the patient, whether they need overbite treatment or crossbite correction. This is precisely the type of orthodontic care Richmond patients can expect at Elara Orthodontics.
Treatment Options for Bite Correction
Braces may be the best-known option for correcting bite problems. They can with crowded and rotated teeth as well as open bite correction and overbite and underbite treatment. While people often associate braces with children, they can also be useful for adult bite correction.
Braces also come in more options than they once did. Traditional Metal Braces are still available, but ceramic braces are less noticeable. Lingual braces sit inside the teeth and work best for crossbites, underbites, and crowding.
Clear Aligners such as Invisalign for bite correction are also less noticeable and more comfortable, so some prefer them to braces. In fact, Invisalign sometimes provides results more quickly than braces for bite correction! Patients will receive new clear aligners for bite correction as their issues improve until the desired results are achieved.
Orthognathic surgery can solve some severe problems when other orthodontic treatment options can’t. This surgery repositions the jaw bones to better align the teeth. However, it can cause more discomfort and requires patients to follow post-surgery instructions to ensure proper healing.
Orthodontic appliances include headgear, expanders, and rubber bands designed specifically for jaw alignment treatment. Patients commonly have braces for bite correction and headgear or rubber bands to realign their jaw simultaneously. While braces and expanders, which widen narrow upper jaws, are sometimes combined, it’s more common for the expander to be used before the braces.
Duration of Orthodontic Treatment and Bite Correction
A Richmond orthodontist can provide estimates for how long bite correction will take. Braces and Invisalign both typically take between one and three years to work. However, these estimates are imprecise and depend on other factors, including the patient’s age, the severity of their orthodontic bite issues, and how well they follow
care instructions. Someone with mild concerns who is compliant will typically see results faster–in as little as six months–than someone with more severe issues who isn’t compliant. Bite issues in children may also improve more quickly than treatment for adults.
Managing Discomfort During Treatment
Bite correction may be necessary but can sometimes be uncomfortable, especially when first installed or adjusted. Fortunately, many people become used to braces for overbite problems. Ice, pain relievers, or oral anesthetics can improve the pain from bite correction. A Houston Heights orthodontist can also provide patients with orthodontic wax to apply if the braces for bite correction cause irritation when rubbing against parts of the mouth.
After orthodontic care Houston Heights patients should follow strict dental hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and gargling. To ensure the best results, patients must also protect braces and orthodontic appliances during activities such as sports.
Aftercare
Retainers after bite correction are an important part of aftercare because they keep the teeth in place once braces for underbite or other bite issues come off. Otherwise, teeth may return to their previous positions. Patients can expect to follow up with their orthodontist for several months after bite correction if not a few years.
Orthodontic Success Stories
Elara Orthodontics has seen many success stories for underbite, cross bite, open bite, and overbite treatment. See these real before-and-after pictures of patients at Elara Orthodontics Houston Heights for proof of how bite correction and jaw alignment treatment can work!
Why Choose Elara Orthodontics for Bite Correction?
Elara Orthodontics Richmond has expertise in complex orthodontic bite issues that other providers may lack. We also use state-of-the-art technology and offer personalized care to ensure jaw alignment treatment and other orthodontic treatment options work as well as possible. With convenient locations in Richmond and Houston Heights, Texas, Elara is the smart choice for both child and adult bite correction.
How to Get Started with Bite Correction
Patients with bite concerns can contact Elara Orthodontics at (832) 702-2727 or use online booking to schedule an orthodontic consultation.
Patients should bring proof of insurance and medical history to be collected in the first appointment. They may also need a referral letter or consent form for treatment.
Orthodontic bite issues can be much more than a cosmetic issue, and going without treatment can have drastic consequences that worsen over time. Fortunately, proven orthodontic treatment options exist, and Texas residents can begin their bite correction journey with Elara Orthodontics today!