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Teeth Misalignment: Malocclusion Types, Causes & Fixes
Are you constantly experiencing discomfort while eating, speaking, or simply dissatisfied with the appearance of your teeth? These could be signs of malocclusion. The term ‘malocclusion’ might sound technical, but it simply refers to a dental condition where your teeth are misaligned.
There are 6 different types of malocclusions:
1. Overbite
2. Underbite
3. Open bite
4. Overcrowded
5. Crossbite
6. Gap Teeth
If you’re unsure which type you may have, we will explain more in this article. Understanding your specific misalignment problem can help your dentist choose the best course of action for you.
Table of Contents
Overbite Teeth
What Is Overbite?
An overbite is a common form of malocclusion where the upper teeth extend over the lower teeth. If your teeth follow a similar pattern, you may be dealing with an overbite. Let’s explore the causes of overbite to help you better understand this type of teeth misalignment.
Causes of Overbite Teeth
- Genetics: Overbites can be hereditary. If your family has a history of dental misalignment, like overbites, there’s a high chance you may have the same condition.
- Teeth grinding: Constant teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can cause stress to your jaw and teeth, leading to an overbite. If left untreated, this can worsen the alignment of your teeth over time.
- Prolonged childhood behaviours: Extended use of a pacifier or thumb sucking during childhood can result in dental problems like an overbite. When these habits continue after the teeth begin to erupt, they can lead to long-term misalignment issues.
Underbite Teeth
What Is An Underbite Teeth?
An underbite is a type of dental malocclusion where the lower teeth extend beyond the upper teeth. This condition can lead to various issues, such as difficulty chewing and an increased risk of developing conditions like sleep apnea.
Causes of Underbite Teeth
- Prolonged childhood habits: Similar to an overbite, an underbite can develop from extended childhood behaviours like thumb-sucking, prolonged bottle feeding, or excessive use of pacifiers. These habits can place undue strain on the jaw and affect its alignment.
- Genetics: An underbite may be inherited. If your family has a history of jaw misalignment or underbites, there’s a good chance you could develop the same condition. Jaw structure is often influenced by genetics and can affect your dental alignment.
- Injuries: Serious jaw injuries, facial traumas, or accidents can cause displacement of the jaw, leading to an underbite. These injuries may alter the alignment of your teeth and affect your bite.
Open Bite Teeth
What Is An Underbite Teeth?
An open bite refers to a type of teeth misalignment where the upper and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed. In severe cases, this condition may require surgical intervention to correct the jaw alignment.
Causes of Open Bite
- Prolonged childhood behaviours: If a child is still thumb-sucking by the age of six, it can lead to an open bite. This habit impacts how the teeth develop and can cause misalignment.
- Poor tongue resting position: An open bite can also result from an improper tongue resting position. Normally, the tongue should rest behind the teeth when at rest. If the tongue constantly touches the teeth, it can cause the front teeth to develop an open bite.
- Skeletal problems: An open bite may also occur due to jaw growth issues, such as an overgrown upper jaw or an underdeveloped lower jaw.
Crowded Teeth
What is Crowded Teeth?
Crowded teeth, also known as crooked teeth, occur when there isn’t enough room in the mouth for the teeth to align properly. As a result, the teeth may shift, overlap, and crowd together.
Causes of Teeth Overcrowding
- Jaw size: A smaller-than-average jaw can lead to crowded teeth due to the limited space available for proper alignment. This is often an inherited trait passed down from parents.
- Losing baby teeth too early: If baby teeth are lost prematurely, the space may be taken over by permanent teeth before they are ready to grow, leading to overcrowding.
- Tooth size: If your teeth are larger than average and your jaw is not big enough to fit them all properly, it can result in crowding.
Crossbite Teeth
What is Crossbite Teeth?
A crossbite is a type of teeth misalignment where the upper teeth do not align properly with the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. It occurs when one or more of the lower teeth extend past the upper teeth.
Causes of Crossbite Teeth
- Delayed Tooth Eruption: A crossbite can develop when baby teeth are lost later than normal, and adult teeth begin to grow. If a baby tooth remains in place while the adult tooth is emerging, the new tooth may not have enough space, causing it to grow crooked or out of place.
- Misaligned Jaw: If the upper and lower jaws are not aligned correctly, the teeth may not meet properly, leading to a crossbite.
- Mouth Breathing: Habitual mouth breathing, often due to conditions like allergies or enlarged tonsils, can affect the development of the jaw and may contribute to the formation of a crossbite.
Gap Teeth
What is Gap Teeth?
Gap teeth, also known as diastema, are characterised by a visible space between two teeth. This gap can occur between any teeth but is most commonly seen between the two front teeth.
Causes of Gap Teeth
- Incorrect swallowing reflex: Ideally, the tongue should rest against the roof of the mouth. However, if some people habitually press their tongue against their front teeth, this can gradually create a gap between the teeth.
- Undersized Teeth: A primary cause of diastema is a size mismatch between the teeth and the jaw. If the teeth are small relative to a larger jaw, it can lead to spaces between the teeth.
- Oversized labial frenum: The skin that connects the inside of your top lip to the gum line above your front teeth is called the labial frenum. Sometimes it would grow irregularly, and this can result in the formation of a space between the front teeth.
5 Effective Treatments for Teeth Misalignment and Malocclusion
Now that you’re more familiar with types of malocclusion, you might want to know about potential treatments for these bite problems. Misaligned teeth treatment varies depending on the type and severity of the condition.
Metal Braces
You have probably heard of metal braces before. It is an orthodontic device that will be able to help align your teeth back into position. It works by attaching the metal brackets to the teeth and having the wire hold them together with coloured rubber bands. They are the most commonly used treatment for malocclusion problems.
Self-ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces work exactly like metal braces except that they do not use rubber bands. Metal braces require rubber bands to connect the metal brackets, but self-ligating braces require clips to hold the wires to the bracket. Due to this, these braces won’t look as noticeable as compared to traditional braces.
Invisible Braces
Then, there are invisible braces (also known as clear aligners). This dental appliance is a more recent development in orthodontics. They are a series of transparent, custom-made, removable braces that fit over your teeth. In comparison to conventional braces, it does not require wires and brackets, which makes it less noticeable. Aligners are suitable for patients who have mild to moderate cases of malocclusion.
The images above depict real-life cases of overbite and crowded teeth patients who wore aligners for nine to eleven months. If traditional braces are not your thing, you might want to consider this as your option.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces, like conventional braces, straighten your teeth by exerting pressure on them. However, they are attached to the back of the teeth rather than the front. With more discretion, they provide the same effectiveness as normal braces.
Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery)
In severe cases of malocclusion, or where non-surgical treatments have failed, surgery may be necessary. This is a major procedure, involving the realignment of the jaws to correct the malocclusion. This treatment is often followed by orthodontic treatment to fine-tune the position of the teeth.
Before deciding on a treatment, it is always better to consult with your dentist. They can advise you on which treatment is the best for your teeth worries. This is because teeth misalignment treatment can vary depending on the severity of your teeth conditions.
If you’ve been meaning to get your teeth aligned but have been putting it off, feel free to take our Free Smile Assessment to see if you’re suitable for our clear aligners, or you can read more about them.
