You probably know that orthodontics deals with problems with the bite. But did you know there are multiple different types? Dr. Mohammad Izadi of Izadi Orthodontics, an orthodontist in Cockeysville, MD, explains.
Underbite
An underbite is when the upper jaw is underdeveloped and the lower jaw protrudes out past the upper. The severity can range from a bit of a cosmetic issue to something that impacts how you live your daily life. An underbite is usually caused by hereditary problems. But things like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and prolonged pacifier use as children can cause it or make it worse.
No matter the severity of the underbite, it can impact self-esteem. Especially in children, underbites can cause problems with the development of speech, as well as facial and skeletal development. Severe underbites can cause problems with eating, making it hard to get the nutrients you need. Breathing problems and facial discomfort are possible as well.
Overbite
An overbite is the opposite of an underbite, where the upper jaw protrudes over the lower. Many people call this condition buck teeth. Overbites can also be hereditary, but oftentimes they’re caused by habits as a child. Bottle feeding, thumb sucking, and pacifier use, particularly after the age of 3-4, tend to cause overbites.
This is often a cosmetic condition that people choose to live with. But overbites range in severity as well. They can cause damage to the other teeth or soft tissue when you accidentally bite down on them. It’s essential that overbites be treated as early on as possible for the best results. This can eliminate the severity and oral health problems that can occur with overbites.
Open Bite
Open bites occur when all or parts of the upper and lower teeth don’t come together while biting down. They’re caused by a skeletal formation and can also be impacted by bad oral habits in the formative years. Tongue thrust involves children pushing their tongue forward instead of letting it relax. This is one of the main causes of an open bite.
Self-esteem is again a big factor in having an open bite. With this bite condition in particular, it causes problems with speech and can give children a lisp. The way their teeth come together can also cause damage to both hard and soft tissues in the mouth. An uneven bite makes it more likely to develop issues like TMJ disorders as well.
Bite Correction at Your Cockeysville, Maryland Orthodontist
At Izadi Orthodontics, we’re able to treat a wide variety of bite concerns. We work to determine the cause of the bite problem in order to plan an individualized treatment plan for each of our patients. If you or your child are having problems with your bite, call us or schedule an appointment online.