Malocclusion

Straighten Teeth to Fix Bad Bites in Orange County

When a person’s teeth or jaw structure do not fit together properly, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to straighten teeth and promote ideal function. These problems, often referred to as malocclusions (or bad bites), can cause speech difficulty, premature wear of the teeth and protective enamel and even increase the chance of injury to teeth and jaw joints, if left untreated.

Each of the following is an example of a malocclusion. In most situations, orthodontic treatment is all that is necessary to straighten teeth and correct the bad bites. In extreme cases, surgery may also be necessary.

Underbite

In an underbite malocclusion, the lower jaw extends out, causing the lower front teeth to sit in front of the upper front teeth.

Spacing

Bad bites due to spacing problems may be caused by missing teeth or they may only be a cosmetic issue.

Upper Front Teeth Protrusion

The appearance and function of your teeth are impacted by upper front teeth protrusion. These bad bites are characterized by the upper teeth extending too far forward or the lower teeth not extending far enough forward.

Crowding

Crowding occurs when teeth have insufficient room to erupt from the gum. A malocclusion caused by crowding can often be corrected by expansion, and many times, tooth removal can be avoided.

Crossbite

In a crossbite malocclusion, the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth, which may cause tooth stratification and misaligned jaw growth.

Overbite

In an overbite, the upper front teeth extend out over the lower front teeth, sometimes causing the lower front teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth.

Openbite

Proper chewing is impacted by an openbite, in which the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap. Openbites may be caused by habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.

Dental Midlines Not Matching

Dental midlines that do not match are evident when the back bite does not fit and match appropriately. This malocclusion may negatively impact jaw and proper dental function.

If you suffer from a malocclusion and live or work in the Dana Point or San Clemente areas, give our San Juan Capistrano orthodontic office a call today or fill out the form on this page. Orange County orthodontist Dr. Taylor Olsen has the knowledge, skill and expertise necessary to be able to fix bad bites. Through orthodontic procedures, Dr. Olsen can straighten teeth resulting in a correctly functioning bite and a beautiful smile.