By Stephen Yang, DMD, MS Board Certified Orthodontist
Most of the time, having crooked teeth or a malocclusion (bad bite) can be traced to genetics.Other malocclusions stem from environmental factors.Below are examples of some common orthodontic problems in teens and adults.If you think you have one of these orthodontic problems, make an appointment to see an orthodontist to find out how the problem can be corrected.
Excessive horizontal overlap of the front teeth. The technical term for overbite is “overjet.”
Underbite
Lower front teeth biting in front of the upper front teeth.
Anterior (Front) Crossbite
Lower front teeth biting in front of the upper front teeth. This can involve two teeth or groups of teeth.
Posterior (Back) Crossbite
Upper back teeth biting inside of lower back teeth. This can involve two teeth or groups of teeth.
Open Bite
No overlap of the upper and lower front teeth when biting.
Deep Bite
Excessive vertical overlap of the upper and lower front teeth when biting.
Crooked Teeth
Misalignment of teeth caused by lack of space.
Spacing
Spacing between teeth usually caused by small or missing teeth or a strong tongue pushing the teeth forward.
Missing Teeth
In some patients, some adult teeth never develop. The most common missing teeth are the lower second premolars (directly in front of the first permanent molars), upper lateral incisors, and third molars (wisdom teeth).
Habits
Thumbsucking, fingersucking, tongue sucking, tongue thrusting, and nail biting can lead to problems such as open bites and large “overbites.”
