Common Orthodontic Issues
There are common orthodontic problems we see in new patients, but your experience, your preferences, and your smile goals make your case one-of-a-kind.
When you visit us for your complimentary consultation, Dr. Coombs will take the time to answer your questions, explain your options, and guide you toward the treatment that fits your lifestyle and goals.
What are orthodontic problems?
Orthodontic problems can affect the alignment of your teeth, the way your upper and lower teeth fit together, or the growth and position of your jaws.
Some issues, like crowded or protruding teeth, are easy to see. Others may be less noticeable but can affect how you bite, chew, speak, or keep your teeth clean.
Whether we’re evaluating a growing smile or an adult bite, Dr. Coombs looks beyond straight teeth to understand how your teeth and jaws work together and what treatment, if any, could benefit you.
Crowded Teeth
Teeth that are overlapping are considered ‘crowded’. More often than not, crowding is the result of insufficient room in the mouth. When the jaws aren’t wide enough to fit all teeth, teeth start overlapping each other as they’re emerging.
In some cases, crowded teeth can be treated with a palatal expander appliance during childhood, while the jaws are still developing. In severe cases of crowding, Dr. Coombs will discuss the best treatment route with you.
Spacing Issues
It’s normal to have some spaces between primary teeth. However, significant gaps or spaces in children, teens or adults may result from having excess room in the jaws, congenitally missing teeth (missing certain teeth at birth), cavities or trauma, or certain childhood habits (like thumbsucking).
Spacing issues are some of the most common orthodontic problems, and most cases can be treated with clear aligners or braces.
Underbite (Malocclusion)
With an underbite, the lower jaw extends further than the upper jaw. This condition can cause facial imbalances, pain or difficulty when chewing and speaking, and can cause teeth to wear down prematurely due to not meeting evenly.
Underbites are often treated with clear aligners or any type of braces, or in more severe cases, surgical orthodontics.
Overbite (Malocclusion)
When the upper jaw extends further than the lower jaw, this is called an overbite. Depending on how severe the condition is, an overbite can cause jaw pain, difficulty eating and chewing, and speech issues. In some cases, the lower teeth will meet the roof of the mouth – ouch!
Overbites are often treated with clear aligners or any type of braces, or in more severe cases, surgical orthodontics.
Crossbite (Malocclusion)
When the upper teeth are positioned inside the lower teeth, this is called a crossbite. This may be a posterior crossbite (in the back of the mouth) or an anterior crossbite (toward the front of the mouth).
Crossbites can affect individual teeth or multiple teeth in a row. This condition may result from irregular tooth eruption, late loss of baby teeth, or thumbsucking during childhood. It can also occur due to a mismatch in the size of the upper and lower jaws.
Crossbites are often treated with airway orthodontics, clear aligners, braces, and in more severe cases, surgical orthodontics.
Open Bite (Malocclusion)
If some of the top teeth don’t meet the bottom teeth when the mouth is closed, this is called an open bite. (With a healthy alignment, the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth slightly.)
An open bite may be the result of skeletal development problems and/or childhood habits, like thumbsucking and tongue-thrusting. It can be extremely challenging to chew food properly and pronounce certain words with an open bite, and the facial structure is typically affected by this condition.
Some open bite cases may be treated with braces or clear aligners, while others may require surgery. Early orthodontic treatment can be especially effective for treating this condition before it progresses and leads to further challenges.
Protrusion (Malocclusion)
A protrusion, also known as an overjet condition, occurs when the front teeth protrude outward. Commonly called “buck teeth”, an overjet generally results from underdeveloped jaw bones, or thumbsucking.
Early orthodontic treatment is an especially effective and efficient treatment option for protrusions. Depending on the severity of the condition, a full treatment of braces or clear aligners may be used for these cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Orthodontic Problems
How do I know if I or my child needs orthodontic treatment?
Some orthodontic issues are easy to notice, like crowded teeth, gaps, or teeth that stick out.
Others, including certain bite and jaw alignment problems, may be harder to recognize on your own.
If something about your or your child’s smile, bite, or jaw development doesn’t seem quite right, an orthodontic evaluation can help.
Dr. Coombs can determine what’s happening and whether treatment is recommended now, later, or at all.
What are the most common orthodontic problems?
Some of the most common orthodontic issues include crowded teeth, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, and protruding teeth (overjet).
While some primarily affect the appearance of your smile, others can affect how the teeth and jaws function together.
Dr. Coombs evaluates the entire smile and bite to determine whether an issue requires treatment and which approach may be most appropriate.
Can orthodontic problems get worse over time?
They can. Teeth and jaws continue to change throughout childhood and adolescence, and some orthodontic problems may become more difficult to correct as growth progresses.
That’s one reason early orthodontic evaluations are valuable.
Identifying concerns while a child is still growing may give Dr. Coombs more options for guiding jaw development and addressing certain bite problems at the right time.
Can braces or clear aligners fix bite problems?
Yes, many bite problems can be treated with braces or clear aligners, depending on the type and severity of the issue.
Some cases may also benefit from orthodontic appliances or expansion treatment, particularly when jaw development contributes to the problem.
More complex skeletal issues may require surgical orthodontics once growth is complete.
Dr. Coombs will explain which options are appropriate for your specific smile and why.
Can orthodontic treatment help crowded teeth without removing teeth?
In some cases, yes. The right approach depends on the severity of the crowding, the amount of available space, and the patient’s age and jaw development.
For growing children, early treatment or an orthodontic expander may sometimes be used to create additional space and guide healthy development.
Dr. Coombs will evaluate the cause of the crowding before recommending the most appropriate treatment.
When should my child see an orthodontist for a bite problem?
Children should have their first orthodontic check-up around age 7, even if their smile appears healthy.
By this age, an orthodontist can begin identifying developing bite and jaw concerns.
Your child may not need treatment right away, but monitoring their growth allows Dr. Coombs to recommend treatment at the time it can be most beneficial.
Do all orthodontic problems need to be treated?
No. Not every irregularity requires orthodontic treatment, and not every child who visits an orthodontist needs to start treatment immediately.
Dr. Coombs takes an educational, individualized approach. He’ll explain what he sees, whether it could affect your smile or oral health, and what your options are so you can make an informed decision about treatment.
What should I do if I’m concerned about my bite or my child’s smile?
Schedule a complimentary consultation at Coombs Orthodontics.
Dr. Coombs will evaluate the teeth, bite, and jaw development, answer your questions, and explain whether treatment could be beneficial.
If treatment is recommended, you’ll understand your options and the reasoning behind them before deciding how you’d like to move forward.
Lead with a smile.
We’ll make the next steps easy.
Book a complimentary consultation at our Rock Hill orthodontic office, or start with a virtual consult from home first.