Types of Bites

Crossbite

A crossbite is found when one or more upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth. This can occur with a single tooth or multiple teeth, in the front and/or the sides of the mouth.

Correcting Crossbites

If there is a single tooth causing the crossbite, the tooth can be moved with limited braces into the proper position. When multiple teeth are involved in the crossbite, it's usually because the upper jaw is too narrow and needs to be widened. This is done with an orthodontic appliance called a palatal expander.

Openbite

Openbite is an insufficient vertical overlap preventing the front teeth from biting properly. It can be caused by habits such as thumb or finger sucking, or occur naturally when the jaws don't grow evenly. Timing of overbite treatment is critical to orthodontic success.

Correcting Openbites:

Openbite can be corrected through growth modification of the jaws (using braces), extrusion of the front and anterior teeth, and in some cases surgical correction of the jaws. Breaking any oral habits such as thumb or finger sucking will also facilitate the correction.

Overbite

Also known as a "deep bite," overbite occurs when the upper front teeth protrude over the lower front teeth. Usually there is no contact between the upper and lower front teeth. Quite often you cannot see the lower incisors. Overbite can be due to a disproportionate eruption of the front teeth, overdevelopment of the bone that supports the teeth, and/or a front to back discrepancy in the growth of the upper or lower jaw.

Correcting Overbites:

Overbites can be corrected by moving up the front teeth with braces and/or bringing the back teeth closer together, which will then "open" the bite so the teeth are properly aligned, eliminating the overbite.

Underbite

The opposite of an overbite, an underbite occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. It is typically caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw and/or overgrowth of the lower jaw. Underbites can also be caused by retruded upper incisors and/or missing or small upper lateral incisors.

Correcting Underbites:

Underbites can be corrected through growth modification of the jaws or teeth extraction. In some cases, surgical correction of the jaws may be necessary.

Overjet

Overjet, also known as "protrusion", occurs when the lower teeth are too far behind the upper front teeth. This can be caused by an improper alignment of the molars, an imbalance of the upper and lower jaws, flared upper incisors, missing lower teeth or any combination of these. Habits such as tongue thrusting or thumb or finger sucking can worsen the condition.

Correcting Overjets:

Overjets can be corrected by changing the relationship of the upper and lower jaws though growth modification using an orthodontic appliance and/or braces with elastics.