Malocclusions
Malocclusion (“bad bite”) refers to the misalignment of teeth and/or incorrect positioning of the jaws when the mouth is closed. It affects how the upper and lower teeth fit together (bite) and can lead to functional and aesthetic issues. Bad bites, like these illustrated by the pictures below, are recommended to have an orthodontic treatment by the American Association of Orthodontists.
Crowding:
Orthodontic crowding is a common dental condition where there is insufficient space in the dental arch to accommodate all the teeth properly, leading to overlapping, rotation, or misalignment of teeth. It is one of the most frequent reasons patients seek orthodontic treatment.
Deep overbite:
A deep overbite (also called a deep bite) occurs when the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth in a vertical direction when the mouth is closed. In severe cases, the lower teeth may bite into the roof of the mouth, leading to discomfort and potential dental issues.
Anterior open bite:
An anterior open bite is a type of malocclusion where the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap vertically when the back teeth are in contact. This results in a gap between the upper and lower incisors when the mouth is closed. Anterior open bite can affect both function and aesthetics and may be caused by dental, skeletal, or habitual factors.
Anterior cross bite:
An anterior cross bite is a malocclusion where one or more upper front teeth are positioned lingually (behind) the lower front teeth when the jaws are closed. This can occur in a single tooth or involve multiple teeth and may result from dental or skeletal discrepancies. Anterior crossbites can affect aesthetics, function, and long-term dental health.
Multiple Teeth:
Single Tooth:
Lateral cross bite:
A lateral cross bite is a malocclusion where one or more upper posterior teeth (premolars or molars) are positioned lingually (inside) relative to the lower posterior teeth when the jaws are closed. It can affect one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral) of the dental arch. Lateral cross bites often result from discrepancies in arch width, skeletal imbalances, or dental misalignment and can lead to functional and aesthetic complications if untreated.
Unilateral Cross bite:
Bilateral Cross bite:
Excessive over jet:
An excessive overjet is a malocclusion characterized by a pronounced horizontal overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth, typically exceeding the normal range of 2–4 mm. This condition can affect aesthetics, function, and long-term dental health
Spacing:
Spacing in orthodontics refers to gaps or spaces between teeth due to discrepancies between tooth size and jaw size, missing teeth, or other factors. It can affect aesthetics, function, and oral health.
Premature Primary Teeth Loss
This refers to the loss of baby teeth before their natural exfoliation time, which refers to the loss of baby teeth before their natural exfoliation time, which can lead to significant orthodontic and functional complications if untreated. Space maintainers are critical to preserving arch integrity and guiding permanent teeth eruption.
Retained primary teeth:
Commonly known as "baby teeth," are those that remain in the oral cavity beyond the typical age of exfoliation, failing to shed naturally as permanent teeth erupt.
Oral habits
Oral habits are repetitive, non-functional behaviors involving the mouth or perioral structures that can disrupt dental development, occlusion, and facial aesthetics. Early identification and management are critical to prevent long-term orthodontic issues.
