Misaligned and overcrowded teeth can develop due to various reasons, including genetic predisposition, bad diets, unhealthy habits, and even a lack of prompt dental care. When this happens, your kid may need an expert in braces and Invisalign® in Smyrna, TN.

Here’s a list of common bite problems in children, why prompt treatment is so crucial in these cases, and how they can be solved using different kinds of orthodontic treatments.

Common Bite Problems in Children and How Braces Can Address Them

1. Overbite

When the upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower front teeth while the mouth is closed, your child has what’s called an overbite. In a healthy bite, the upper and lower teeth should overlap slightly and not pronouncedly.

If the overlap is very severe, this may also be referred to as a "deep bite." An overbite can lead to various issues, like jaw pain, tooth wear, speech difficulties, and gum damage.

Solutions:

• Conventional Metal Braces: These are the most popular kind of braces. They gradually reposition the teeth using metal brackets and wires.

• Invisalign: If the case is not too severe, Invisalign can also be used to correct an overbite.

• Headgear: Headgear is an orthodontic appliance used to correct bites and support proper jaw alignment and growth. If the overbite is too severe, headgear and braces may be necessary.

2. Underbite

An underbite occurs when the lower front teeth extend past the upper front teeth while the mouth is closed. In an underbite, the lower teeth extend forward past the upper teeth, whereas in a normal bite, the upper teeth should slightly overlap the lower teeth.

An underbite can lead to various issues, including difficulty chewing, speech problems, jaw pain, and facial imbalance.

Solutions:

• Conventional Metal Braces: Braces can address underbites by progressively moving the upper teeth forward and the lower teeth back.

• Reverse-Pull Headgear: A growth-modifying device called a reverse-pull headgear (RPHG) is used to realign bites and better position the upper jaw. It can be used in conjunction with braces to help move the upper jaw forward.

• Palatal Expanders: These devices can help with bite correction in younger children by enlarging the upper jaw.

3. Crossbite

A crossbite is a dental condition where the upper teeth do not align properly with the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. The upper teeth should be slightly spaced apart from the lower teeth in a healthy bite. In a crossbite, one or more upper teeth may be positioned inside the lower teeth.  

Crossbites can affect the front teeth, back teeth, or both, leading to an uneven bite. There are two main types of crossbites:

• When the upper front teeth are positioned behind the lower front teeth, it is known as an anterior crossbite.

• When the upper back teeth slide inside the lower back teeth, it is known as a posterior crossbite.

Some common issues caused by a crossbite in children are uneven tooth wear, jaw pain, gum problems, and asymmetrical jaw growth.

Solutions:

• Palatal Expander: This common tool enlarges children's upper jaws so their teeth fit together more comfortably.

• Braces: After expansion, a correct tooth alignment can be achieved with braces.

4. Open Bite

An open bite is a condition where the upper and lower teeth do not touch or meet when the mouth is closed, leaving a noticeable gap. This space may appear between the front teeth or between the molars in the back of the mouth.

An open bite can lead to several issues, including difficulty chewing, speech problems, and aesthetic concerns.

Solutions:

• Traditional Braces: Braces can move teeth into the correct position and close the gap between the upper and lower teeth.

• Appliances for Behavioral Modification: In addition to braces, appliances such as a tongue crib can be used to stop thumb sucking and tongue thrusting, two behaviors that lead to an open bite.

5. Overcrowding

When there is not enough room in the mouth for all the teeth to fit properly, your child is experiencing overcrowding. Because there is not enough room, the teeth overlap, twist, or become crooked, giving the appearance of being crowded and out of alignment.  

Besides making teeth crooked, this bite problem can lead to jaw pain and make oral hygiene difficult.  

Solutions:

• Conventional Braces: Braces can free up space in the mouth by progressively realigning teeth.

• Invisalign: In older children, mild to moderate cases of overcrowding can also be corrected with clear aligners.

• Tooth Extraction: In extreme circumstances, it might be necessary to extract some teeth to allow the braces to be placed on the remaining teeth.

6. Spacing Issues

Spacing issues refer to gaps between teeth, which can be caused by missing teeth, teeth that are too small, or other factors. As the saying goes, extremes are bad. Just like overcrowded bites, having too much space between the teeth can cause problems if not corrected.  

Food particles can become lodged in tooth gaps, leading to gingivitis. Bacteria love exposed gums because they can thrive there and cause problems like gum recession, tooth decay, and even tooth loss.  

Solutions:

• Conventional Braces: Braces can be used to properly align teeth and close gaps.  

• Invisalign: Clear aligners can effectively close gaps and realign teeth for mild spacing issues.

7. Deep Bite  

An excessive overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth when the mouth is closed is called a deep bite or a deep overbite. The upper teeth should cover the lower teeth to some extent in a normal bite, but this overlap is much more noticeable in a deep bite.

Deep bites can lead to tooth wear and damage, gum irritation, aesthetic concerns, jaw pain, and TMJ disorders.

Solutions:

• Traditional Braces: Braces can adjust the teeth to reduce the deep bite, preventing further damage to the teeth and gums.  

• Bite Plate: This specialized dental appliance helps patients manage their bites. In some cases, a bite plate is used alongside braces to help correct the deep bite more efficiently.

Learn More About Braces and Invisalign in Smyrna, TN!

Early treatment of bite disorders in children is essential for maintaining healthy oral function and averting long-term problems. These issues can be successfully fixed with a variety of orthodontic solutions, such as conventional metal braces, Invisalign, and additional appliances.

Speaking with an orthodontist at Happy Harpeth can help you decide the best course of action that is customized to your child’s needs. If you’re interested in learning more, reach out!

*Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.