American River Dental

Bite Alignment

American River Dental

Bite Alignment

Bite alignment refers to how the top and bottom arches of teeth line up with each other. Improper alignment can lead to other problems with your oral health. Orthodontics can help realign your teeth and provide you with a proper bite.

Misaligned Bite

Class I – A malocclusion where the bite is okay and the top teeth line up with the bottom teeth, but the teeth are crooked, crowded or turned.

Over Bite

Class II – A malocclusion where the upper teeth stick out past the lower teeth commonly referred to as an “over bite,” “over jet,” “deep bite” or “buck teeth.”

Under Bite

Class III – A malocclusion where the lower teeth stick out past the upper teeth called an “under bite.”

Open Bite and Cross Bite

These are two common problems in children that have their origin in discrepancies between the size of the jaws (top and bottom), or discrepancies between the size of the teeth and the amount of space available.

1. A posterior cross bite can appear at an early age, and depending on its cause (malpositioned teeth or misaligned jaws) treatment may be warranted early. It can involve one or both sides of the molar area and in some cases in can cause a ‘shift’ of the bite. Many appliances are available for treating this condition and your dentist will discuss in detail the risks and benefits of treating a posterior cross bite.

2. Anterior open bites refer to a condition in which the top and bottom front teeth are not in contact (they do not touch each other when the patient bites). The origins of open bites can be traced to habits that patients have or had in the past, and occasionally to discrepancies between the sizes of the jaws. Since most open bites in children are associated to an existing habit, treatment usually addresses the habit itself and is most effective when done at an early age. Many appliances are available for treating this condition and your dentist will discuss in detail the risks and benefits of treating an open bite in children.

Closing Gaps

When closing a diastema (gap between teeth), differing amounts of movement of the two teeth is often needed. In this appliance, coil springs are placed to the side of each tooth. An arch wire acts as a guide and keeps the teeth from tipping as the space is closed.

Meet Our Doctors

We have a trusted and experienced dental team here at American River Dental.
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