Common Orthodontic Problems

Your Trusted Oakland, NJ Family Orthodontist

Here at Loeb Orthodontics, we recognize the importance of a beautiful, healthy smile! As your Oakland, NJ family orthodontist, Dr. Allison Loeb and Dr. Robert Loeb go above and beyond to make orthodontic treatment a rewarding experience for each of our patients. Using the latest technologies, we offer a variety of effective and gentle treatment options to accommodate each patient’s individual needs, including Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, and multiple types of braces.

Common Orthodontic Problems

There are several orthodontic problems that many people experience, making them very common. Fortunately, all of these issues can be corrected with treatment by your orthodontist in Wyckoff. These include:

Underbite

In an underbite, the lower teeth and/or lower jaw extend forward, causing the lower front teeth to sit ahead of the upper front teeth.

Spacing

Spacing problems, or gaps in the teeth, may be caused by missing teeth, undersized teeth or dental habits. This may be more than simply a cosmetic issue.

Protrusion of Upper Front Teeth (Overjet)

Overjet is characterized by the upper teeth extending too far forward or the lower teeth not extending far enough forward. It may be a tooth position problem or a problem of jaw relationship.

Crowding

Crowding occurs when teeth have insufficient room to erupt into their proper place. Teeth may erupt out of alignment, overlapped by other teeth, or may be completely blocked from eruption into the mouth altogether (impaction). If possible, treatment can be most effective if diagnosed at an early age.

Crossbite

In a proper smile, all upper teeth should sit outside the lower teeth. With a crossbite, one or more upper teeth may sit inside the lower teeth. This may cause tooth misalignment or improper jaw function and growth.

Overbite

When the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth in a vertical direction, this is called an overbite. An overbite can sometimes cause the lower front teeth to bite the gum tissue behind the upper front teeth.

Open Bite

An open bite is where the upper and lower front teeth do not contact when biting. This is often caused by tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, mouth breathing, or severely enlarged tonsils. Having an open bite can impact proper chewing.

Midlines

The center lines (midlines) of the upper and lower teeth should match evenly. If not, it may be a sign that the back bite does not fit appropriately on either side. This could indicate crowded, missing, or unevenly-sized teeth from one side of the mouth to the other.

Bad Bite Symptoms

Each of these bite issues can cause various consequences, depending on the level of severity and each patient’s individual case. They may cause:

  • speech difficulty
  • chewing problems
  • premature wear of tooth enamel
  • improper jaw alignment

These types of problems may not only cause harm to the body but may make patients feel self-conscious towards others about their appearance. Fortunately, with today’s orthodontic advancements, bad bites can be easily fixed. Your orthodontist in Wyckoff is always available to provide treatment for the common orthodontic problems described above.

Contact Your Orthodontist in Wayne, NJ Today!

Your Oakland, NJ family orthodontist has proudly created beautiful smiles for countless patients and would love to do the same for you. If you’re ready to transform your smile by correcting any of the issues mentioned above, contact us today, or give us a call at (201) 337-3701. Your orthodontist in Wayne, NJ will be happy to help determine the treatment approach that best fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget.