Cross bite

The upper teeth should fit outside the lower teeth like a lid on a box. If the upper jaw is too narrow, the lower jaw usually swings to one side to allow the teeth to mesh. A crossbite results.

Crowding

Crowding is a common orthodontic problem.Crowded teeth can be unattractive and difficult to clean.

Open bite

An open bite exists when some teeth don’t meet.  It can cause eating problems, speech problems, and excessive wear of those teeth which do meet. An open bite can also be unattractive.

Protruded teeth

Protruded teeth can be unattractive and more prone to damage. The lower front teeth often over-erupt and damage the palate behind the top front teeth.

Under bite

The lower front teeth protrude beyond the upper teeth. An under bite can be unattractive and can cause uneven wear of the front teeth.

Thumb sucking

Sucking the thumb (or fingers) can deform nearby teeth and supporting bone.

Deep Bite

The upper front teeth cover the lower teeth.  A deep bite can cause excessive wear of the front teeth and gum damage behind the upper front teeth

Missing teeth

Missing teeth can be very unattractive.  By moving all teeth into correct position, proper space can be created to facilitate replacement of the missing teeth.

Other Problems

An orthodontic opinion might also be sought when there is:

• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Speech difficulty
• Grinding or clenching of teeth
• Jaws that shift or make sounds