What Are Misaligned Teeth?

Properly aligned teeth don’t just look better, they also chew more efficiently and are easier to care for. Misaligned teeth, on the other hand, can cause a number of significant problems, from a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease to joint pain and self-esteem issues. More technically known as malocclusion, jaw and teeth misalignment is divided into several types:

• Overbite.
• Underbite.
• Crowded teeth.
• Excessive spacing.
• Open bite.
• Crossbite.

Correcting misalignments starts with seeing a dentist, though orthodontic treatment is often required. It’s possible to suffer from more than one sort of misalignment.

Overbite

Overbite, sometimes confused with overjet, is when the upper front teeth and jaw severely overlap the lower teeth. A certain amount of overlap is common and not a major problem. More significant overbite can cause teeth to dig into gums or make eating difficult.

A small overbite is about 2 to 4 millimeters, meaning there is that much overlap between upper and lower front teeth.

Underbite

Scientifically called prognathism, underbite can be a more serious concern than overbite. The lower front teeth and jaw project further than the upper teeth, giving a bulldog-like look to the face.

Deep Bite

A deep bite is when your top front teeth cover too much of your bottom front teeth when you bite down. In some people, the bottom teeth can almost disappear behind the top teeth. This is a common bite problem, and many people don’t realize they have it until a dentist points it out.

Crowded Teeth

When teeth are spaced so close together that they overlap and push each other out of place, they are crowded teeth. This can be caused by an underdeveloped jaw and a smaller mouth. It’s even possible to have extra teeth, a condition called hyperdontia/hyperdentition.

In a study, 0.72% presented with hyperdontia (hyperdentition). However, it was more common in men (0.73%) than women (0.69%)

Excessive Spacing

Excessive spacing means too much space between teeth, so biting is difficult. It can be caused by missing teeth, either due to tooth loss or genetics.

Open Bite

Open bite refers specifically to how the front teeth, the incisors, meet. If they don’t overlap, it can be difficult to bite into food, causing an overbite. The upper molars and lower molars might otherwise meet correctly.

Cross Bite

Crossbite is caused by a misaligned jaw. The centerline of the upper jaw and lower jaw should meet in a correctly aligned jaw. If they are misaligned, there is a crossbite.

What Causes Misaligned Teeth?

A number of factors can contribute to teeth misalignment, both genetic and functional. If your parents have crooked teeth, you’re more likely to as well. Some genetic conditions like cleft lip can also cause misaligned teeth. However, both behavioral and environmental factors also can contribute to crooked teeth.

Behavioral factors:

• Thumb sucking after 3 years old.
• Mouth breathing.
• Using a pacifier after 3 years old.

Environmental factors:

• Enlarged adenoids.
• Trauma.
• Ill-fitting dental work.

Particularly in early childhood, the development of a child’s teeth can be shaped by strain placed on jaw muscles. Inflamed airways due to allergies or illness can also contribute. The way baby teeth develop influences the shape of gums and how permanent teeth come in, so that early issues continue to have an effect.

Symptoms of Malocclusion

Generally, if you don’t notice your crooked teeth being a problem, you’re probably fine. However, even a small amount of misalignment can have an impact on your dental health. Tooth misalignment can lead to an increased risk of cavities, tooth decay, and periodontal disease, requiring additional dental care. Serious misalignments of teeth and jaw may be obvious, including:

• An atypical appearance.
• Difficulty biting or chewing.
• Mouth breathing.
• Speech difficulties

Classifying Malocclusion

The types of misalignments we’ve discussed are helpful for understanding how the teeth are misaligned. Your dentist may use a different scale, one that measures the potential severity of the misalignment and the effects it could have on your mouth.

Class I

Class I malocclusion is actually the most common. In this situation, the upper and lower jaws are positioned normally, meaning the basic bite relationship is correct. However, the teeth themselves may not line up well. Someone with Class I can have crowded teeth, crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, or even a deep bite. So, the jaw position is normal, but the teeth are not arranged well.

Class II

Class II malocclusion is where the upper jaw or upper front teeth are positioned further forward than the lower jaw. This is the type of bite most people think of when they picture an “overbite.” The chin can appear slightly smaller or set back. This type of teeth misalignment is also sometimes called retrognathism. Deep bite is common in Class II, and in some cases the upper front teeth may noticeably stick out. Many children with long-term thumb sucking or pacifier habits may develop this bite pattern, but genetics can also play a role.

Class III

Class III malocclusion is the opposite of Class II. Also called prognathism, Class III is a more or less serious case of underbite, with the lower front teeth and jaw overlapping the upper. The upper jaw size may sometimes be underdeveloped. It can cause speech disorders, psychological issues, as well as complicated dental care.

Class III malocclusion can also cause temporomandibular joint disorder, which can make biting and chewing painful, among other issues. The misalignment may be addressed with headgear, though in extreme cases orthognathic surgery may be necessary to correct jaw alignment.

How to Fix Misaligned Teeth

The first step to addressing a misalignment of your teeth is to see your dentist, who can help you select a treatment option. A misalignment may not need to be addressed if it’s not serious. Treatment may be most effective when adult teeth are still developing. Treatment options include:

• Braces.
• Clear aligners.
• Veneers.
• Dental implants.
• Corrective jaw surgery.

Wearing braces may be the most common treatment, though clear home aligners are becoming popular.

Braces

If you ever suffered through “metal mouth” as a kid, it was because you had some sort of crooked teeth. Orthodontic treatment, typified by metal braces, is all about moving teeth into better alignment. Fixed braces use brackets and metal wires, fixing them to one tooth to pull other teeth into place.

There are several varieties of dental braces. Ceramic brackets are less visible, while lingual braces are hidden on the tongue-side of your teeth. Waiting for adult teeth to come in is common, though sometimes straightening baby teeth can help with the alignment of adult teeth.

Clear Aligners

Unlike traditional braces, clear plastic aligners are less visible and can be removed. Several services offer them by mail, so you receive treatment without leaving your home. These are high-quality clear aligners designed for at-home use. They are cost-effective, easy to access, and convenient since they can be removed when eating or brushing. For further details, check out Smileie aligners.

Unlike fixed braces, aligners are not approved by the American Dental Association or Association of Orthodontists. However, they have been effective at straightening crooked teeth, particularly straightening the front teeth.

Veneers

Veneers are a treatment for crooked teeth in the front of the mouth. Typically, they are a layer of material placed over the outer face of the tooth. In addition to their aesthetic use, they can also be used in some cases to reshape a tooth for better alignment with ceramic laminate veneers.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. Whether they were lost or never developed, adding a tooth can sometimes prevent spacing or misalignment. The implants used in the treatments often need to be custom-made to fit the patient. Check how implants work to understand how they support both appearance and oral health.

Corrective Jaw Surgery

Jaw misalignment sometimes can’t be addressed by orthodontic treatment alone. In the case of severe misalignments, particularly prognathism or underbite, surgery may be needed. See how corrective jaw surgery fixes misaligned bites and severe malocclusion for a healthier, balanced smile.

How Much Does It Cost for Teeth Alignment?

There is a range of treatment options for correcting misaligned teeth. It’s difficult to say how much such treatment would cost, as it depends on the degree of severity, as well as other factors. Traditional braces cost about $8000 to straighten permanent teeth. Aligners like smileie are less expensive, costing around $749.

How Long Does It Take to Correct Misaligned Teeth?

Like the cost, the length of orthodontic treatment can vary a great deal. Clear home aligners claim they can correct small issues, particularly with the front teeth, in less than a year. More serious issues that require treatment with braces can take between three and four years total. Treatment times can extend even further.

Can Malocclusion Be Prevented?

It may not be possible to completely avoid teeth misalignment, as genetics does play a role. However, preventing a few bad habits, along with timely orthodontic treatment, may help keep it to a minimum. Ideally, things like thumb sucking in young children are discouraged, and breathing problems are addressed to prevent excessive mouth breathing.

An orthodontist may enter the picture as early as 6 years old. However, a popular treatment option is to wait until 12 or 16 for braces, when baby teeth have been lost but jaw growth is still underway.

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