Braces 101 › Common orthodontic issues
Common orthodontic issues
The problems we fix every day, and why fixing them matters beyond the mirror.
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- Crowding: not enough room, so teeth twist and overlap. Harder to clean, faster to wear. Treated with braces or aligners, sometimes with expansion to create room without extractions.
- Spacing: gaps from small teeth, missing teeth or habits. Closed with braces or aligners, coordinated with your dentist when implants are involved.
- Overbite (deep bite): upper front teeth cover too much of the lowers, which can wear enamel and irritate gums.
- Underbite: lower front teeth sit in front of the uppers, stressing the jaw joint and wearing teeth unevenly. Early intervention in growing kids is especially valuable here.
- Crossbite: upper teeth bite inside the lowers, front or back. Left alone it wears teeth and can shift jaw growth off-center; caught young it often resolves with an expander.
- Open bite: front teeth do not meet, complicating biting and speech. Often habit-related in children, very treatable with modern mechanics.
Every one of these is diagnosable at a free consultation with a digital scan and X-ray. The earlier we see it, the more options you have.
Frequently asked questions
Do crooked teeth cause health problems?
They can: harder cleaning means more decay and gum inflammation, and bad bites wear enamel unevenly and can stress the jaw joints.
Can these problems fix themselves?
Baby-tooth spacing sometimes resolves, which is why we monitor rather than rush. Structural issues like crossbites and underbites do not self-correct, and waiting narrows the options.
Ready to love your smile?
Your first visit is 100% free: exam, consultation and digital X-ray. Braces or Invisalign payment plans start at $149 per month.