4 Types of Bite Adjustment You May Need When You Visit a Periodontist

Different types of bite adjustment can be helpful to patients who suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and more. If you suffer from any of these problems or similar issues, you may find that a misaligned bite is to blame! The good news is that Central Florida Periodontics has years of experience with many types of bite adjustment, and our expertise makes it possible to achieve relief. Take a closer look at some of the problems we routinely treat in our office below.

woman with braces

#1. Overbite

Patients with overbites notice that their upper teeth overlap their lower teeth. Many patients wish to correct an overbite simply for cosmetic reasons – an overbite can result in an uneven smile that doesn’t show off all of their teeth. However, there are serious problems that an overbite can cause or exacerbate. For instance, an overbite can be a source of jaw pain and TMJ disorder. Central Florida Periodontics has several treatment options available for overbites including traditional metal and invisible plastic braces.

#2. Underbite

In contrast to an overbite, an underbite occurs when the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. Overbite and underbite treatments are both common types of bite adjustment. Like overbites, underbites can exacerbate or cause a number of painful conditions, and can be treated using traditional metal or invisible plastic braces.

#3. Crossbite

Among the more pernicious types of bite adjustment conditions are crossbites. Crossbites occur when patients are suffering from both an overbite and an underbite. This may be hard to picture, but teeth unevenly overlap throughout the mouth. For instance, the top teeth may overlap the lower teeth in the front of the mouth, but teeth on the sides of the mouth do just the opposite. A crossbite can be responsible for the problems listed above, but can also cause more serious problems. Patients suffering from crossbites may need to move their jaw in order to chew or even to speak normally. Crossbites can even lead to bone loss and dysfunctional development of the jaws! Central Florida Periodontics has years of experience treating crossbites, and with the help of devices like spacers, we can help our patients enjoy the benefits of a better-aligned smile.

#4. Crowding

Teeth crowding is just what it sounds like: teeth become “crowded” when there is insufficient space in the mouth, leading to crooked and misaligned smiles. Like other types of bite adjustment conditions, crowding can cause a number of problems including gum disease and jaw pain. The good news is that there are many potential treatment options for crowded teeth. Removing teeth, using devices like spacers, and braces are all great potential treatments for patients suffering from teeth crowding.

These are just a few common types of teeth adjustment conditions that Central Florida Periodontics has years of experience treating. There are many more different conditions that cause our patients to need bite adjustment – contact us today to learn more about how we can help!