Crossbite
A crossbite is when one or more of the upper teeth bite inside of the lower teeth. A crossbite can occur in the front and/or the sides of the mouth, as well as with a single tooth or multiple teeth. Early diagnosis and correction of a crossbite is strongly recommended.
A crossbite left uncorrected may cause:
- Premature wear of the teeth
- Gum disease including bone loss
- Asymmetrical development of the jaws
- Dysfunctional chewing patterns
- Need for surgical intervention at a later age
- Less attractive smile
Crowding
Crowding of the teeth occurs when there is a lack of space for all the teeth to fit normally within the jaws. The teeth may be twisted or displaced. Crowding may also be a result of disharmony in the tooth to jaw size relationship, or when the teeth are larger than the available space in the jaws. Crowding may be caused by early or late loss of primary teeth, or possible improper eruption of teeth and other causes.
Crowded teeth left uncorrected may cause:
- Prevention of proper cleaning of all the surfaces of your teeth
- Dental decay
- Increased chances of developing gum disease due to difficulty with brushing
- Interference with proper function of the teeth, such as chewing
- Less attractive or displeasing smile
Spacing
Spacing of the teeth, the opposite of crowding, is an excess of available space, resulting in gaps between the teeth. This generally occurs when the teeth are smaller than the available space. Protrusive teeth, missing or impacted teeth, or abnormal gum tissue attachments can also cause spacing.
Spacing of the teeth left uncorrected may cause:
- Gum problems due to the lack of protection by the teeth
- Improper functioning of the teeth
- Less attractive or displeasing smile
Protrusion
Protrusion of the teeth, also known as overjet, is when the lower teeth are too far behind the upper front teeth. This can be caused by an improper alignment of the molars, a skeletal imbalance of the upper and lower jaw, flared upper incisors, missing lower teeth, or a combination of the above. In addition, oral habits such as thumb or finger sucking or tongue thrusting can exacerbate the condition.
Upper front teeth that protrude beyond normal contact with the lower teeth are prone to injury, often indicate a poor bite of the back teeth, and may indicate unevenness in jaw growth. Commonly, protruded upper teeth are associated with a lower jaw that is deficient or underdeveloped in proportion to the upper jaw.
Protrusion of the teeth left uncorrected may cause:
- Vulnerability for trauma to the front teeth
- Premature and excessive wear of the teeth
- Improper functioning of the teeth
- Less attractive or displeasing smile
Open Bite
An open bite is an insufficient vertical overlap of the teeth. It is caused by oral habits such as tongue thrusting, finger or thumb sucking, or when the jaws grow unevenly. Timing of treatment is critical to the overall success of the therapy.
An open bite results when the upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting down. This open space between the upper and lower teeth causes all the chewing pressure to be placed on the back teeth. The excessive biting pressure and rubbing together of the back teeth makes chewing less efficient and may contribute to significant tooth wear.
Open bite of the teeth left uncorrected may cause:
- Facial malformation
- Abnormal speech and swallowing patterns
- Improper functioning of the teeth
- Wear to the joints in the jaw, resulting in jaw dysfunction
- Need for surgical intervention at a later age
- Less attractive or displeasing smile
Deep Bite
A deep bite is an excessive overlap of the upper front teeth to the lower front teeth. In some cases, the lower incisor (front) teeth bite too close or into the gum tissue behind the upper teeth. When this happens, significant bone damage and discomfort can occur. A deep bite can also contribute to excessive wear of the lower front teeth.
Deep bite of the teeth left uncorrected may cause:
- Pain and discomfort to the palatal gum tissue
- Bone loss and/or damage
- Excessive wear and deterioration of the lower front teeth
- Improper functioning of the teeth
- Less attractive or displeasing smile
Under Bite
An underbite, or lower jaw protrusion, is when the lower jaw is excessively larger or more developed than the upper jaw, or the upper jaw is relatively less developed than the lower jaw, or a combination thereof. An underbite can cause the lower front teeth to protrude ahead of the upper front teeth creating a dental crossbite. In younger patients, careful monitoring of jaw growth and tooth development is necessary to avoid severe problems at a later age.
Underbite of the teeth left uncorrected may cause:
- Prevention of proper function of the front teeth or molars
- Premature wear of the teeth
- Chewing or eating problems
- Jaw joint problems
- Need for surgical intervention at a later age
- Less attractive or displeasing smile
Impacted Teeth
Impacted teeth can be caused by improper positioning of the teeth while they are in the
Impacted teeth left uncorrected may cause:
- Damage to the root structure of adjacent teeth
- Interference with the sinus cavity
- Undesirable spacing in the teeth
- Improper function the teeth
- Premature wear of the teeth
- Asymmetric alignment of the teeth
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The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age 7 or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist or the child's physician. 
A common misconception about orthodontics is that it is strictly for children. However, according to the AAO, nearly one million adults in the United States and Canada are receiving orthodontic treatment.