Not everyone has their upper and lower jaws aligned to be exactly perfect. Having both the jaws aligned perfectly is ideal, which is why people often seek orthodontic treatment to be able to correct this. If these are not fixed in time, they can lead to a variety of orthodontic problems in the long run, which can sometimes be difficult to handle. Things like wear and breakage of the teeth, speech problems, food retention are all problems that people face when their jaws are not aligned with each other. Adequately aligned jaws are also considered to be more aesthetically pleasing and can make a smile look better and brighter than it already is.

Here are some of the common jaw and bite related problems that people tend to face, which may require attention and orthodontic treatment.

Underbite
A person is said to have an underbite when the lower jaw extends further out than the upper jaw. In this case, the teeth of the lower jaw are rested in front of the upper teeth. An underbite, when not treated in time, can cause a host of other bite related problems.

Overbite
An overbite is similar to an underbite and is when the upper jaw extends forward as compared to the lower jaw, which is the case in underbite. The teeth of the upper jaw rest in front of the lower jaw. Sometimes, the teeth overlap in a way which makes the lower teeth appear hidden, resulting in a smile that shows more gums and fewer teeth.

Crossbite
A crossbite is something that forms as a result of an underbite and overbite not being treated promptly. In a crossbite, the teeth are not aligned properly and can appear disrupted. It is common for patients to have to move their upper jaw to one side, just to be able to close their mouth and align their laws properly.

Upper Front Teeth Protrusion
Upper Front Teeth Protrusion is characterized by the teeth of the upper jaw protruding forward extensively. In this, the functionality of the teeth and jaws are compromised, and the person cannot properly bite or use these front teeth. They have to rely on their back teeth to be able to chew their food.

Crowding
Crowding happens when the teeth do not have enough room to grow out of the gums in the early stages of development. This starts to emerge when a child is around seven to ten years old, but can also emerge later on in life. It is one of the most common reasons for which people tend to seek braces.

Spacing
Spacing happens between the teeth for a variety of reasons. One of them is because the structure of the jaw is big, and the teeth have a little too much room to grow out. If a person has missing teeth, or even if they have any of their teeth removed in the past, over time, the remaining teeth tend to spread out, causing spacing.

Open bite
Open bite is one of those jaw alignment issues that need to be addressed at the earliest before it becomes too late. In this, the upper and the lower jaw are both not aligned with each other, thereby creating a large space in between the upper and lower teeth. This can cause severe chewing issues and can lead to a host of other jaw-related problems.

Dental Midlines not Matched
The dental midlines should be attached so that the jaw can function adequately, and without any disruptions. This alignment is mostly done for aesthetic reasons. However, it can lead to other kinds of bite related problems, depending on the severity of the situation.

If you would like to get a thorough checkup of your smile and bite, contact our Austin Orthodontics practice for a complimentary consultation today!