Common Orthodontic Problems
When you visit us for a complimentary consultation, Dr. Albert will examine your smile, explain the underlying issue, and walk you through your treatment options.
These are some of the most common orthodontic issues we see in new patients.
Most conditions can be treated with Invisalign®, braces, and/or an orthodontic appliance.
Underbite (Malocclusion)
With an underbite, the lower jaw extends further than the upper jaw.
This condition can cause facial imbalances, pain or difficulty when chewing and speaking, and can cause teeth to wear down prematurely due to not meeting evenly.
Overbite (Malocclusion)
Crossbite (Malocclusion)
When the upper teeth are positioned inside the lower teeth, this is called a crossbite.
Crossbites can affect individual teeth or multiple teeth in a row.
This condition is often the result of irregular tooth eruption, late loss of baby teeth, or thumbsucking during childhood.
It can also occur due to a mismatch in the size of the upper and lower jaws.
Open Bite (Malocclusion)
If some of the top teeth don’t meet the bottom teeth when the mouth is closed (either in the back of the mouth or the front) this is called an open bite.
With a healthy alignment, the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth slightly.
An open bite may be the result of skeletal development problems and/or childhood habits, like thumbsucking and tongue-thrusting.
Protrusion (Malocclusion)
A protrusion, also known as an overjet condition, occurs when the front teeth protrude outward.
Commonly called “buck teeth”, an overjet generally results from underdeveloped jaw bones, or thumbsucking.
Early orthodontic treatment is an especially effective and efficient treatment option for protrusions.
Spacing Issues
Gaps or spaces between teeth can be caused by a few factors, including excessive space in the mouth, missing teeth at birth, or missing teeth due to cavities or trauma, as well as childhood habits (like thumbsucking).
Spacing issues are some of the most common orthodontic problems, and are often treatable with braces or Invisalign.
Crowded Teeth
Teeth that are overlapping are considered ‘crowded’.
More often than not, crowding is the result of insufficient room in the mouth.
When the jaws aren’t wide enough to fit all teeth, the teeth start to overlap each other as they’re emerging.
Expanding the upper jaw with a palatal expander in childhood can prevent crowded teeth.
Personalized Treatment Plans in Simi Valley, CA
If you’re noticing one of these common orthodontic issues, or you haven’t received an orthodontic assessment yet, we welcome you to Soul Orthodontics.
We’re here to give you a no-pressure smile exam with board-certified Dr. Albert, and a personalized treatment plan that ends in a stunning new smile.
Schedule your complimentary consultation at our Simi Valley orthodontic office, and we’ll guide you through the rest.