Three generations of Sonoma County smiles since 1959 Santa Rosa (707) 546-5234 · Windsor (707) 838-4959 · Patient Login

Braces 101 › Common orthodontic issues

Common orthodontic issues

The problems we fix every day, and why fixing them matters beyond the mirror.

Book a free consultation
Common orthodontic problems
  • 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.

Call or Text Free Consultation