When a person’s teeth or jaws do not fit together properly, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to straighten teeth and promote ideal function. Orthodontic problems can cause premature wear of the teeth, increase the chance of injury to teeth and jaw joints, and cause speech difficulty if left untreated.

Crowding

• Crowding occurs when teeth do not have sufficient room to erupt.
• Crowding can often be corrected by expanding the arch width to avoid removal of permanent teeth.
• Damon braces are especially good at treating crowding.

Spacing

• Spacing problems may be caused by missing teeth or be a cosmetic issue.

Protrusion

• Protruding front teeth affect appearance and function of being able to bite food.
• Protrusion is characterized by the upper front teeth extending too far forward or the lower front teeth not extending far enough forward.

Underbite

• In an underbite, the lower jaw extends out beyond the upper jaw, causing the lower front teeth to be in front of the upper front teeth.

Deepbite

• When the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth too much, there is a deepbite.
• Some patients even bite into the roof of the mouth.
• Deepbites often cause premature wear on the lower front teeth.

Openbite

• If the upper and lower front teeth do not close, there is an openbite.
• Openbites may be caused by thumb sucking or tongue thrusting habits.
• Proper chewing is affected by an openbite.