Most people do not develop perfectly aligned teeth naturally. The most common orthodontic problems, often grouped under the term malocclusion or “bad bite,” include upper front teeth protrusion, overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, crowding, and spacing.
At Elite Orthodontics Group in San Diego, our board-certified orthodontists diagnose the specific issue affecting you or your child and build a personalized plan to correct it.
Orthodontic concerns are very common. They can be influenced by genetics, childhood habits like thumb sucking, the early or late loss of baby teeth, dental disease, injuries, or certain medical conditions. Left untreated, many of these issues worsen over time and can affect chewing, speech, oral hygiene, and long-term oral health. Understanding the specific problem is always the first step toward effective treatment.
Below are the orthodontic problems we most often evaluate and treat.
Upper Front Teeth Protrusion
The upper front teeth extend too far forward, or the lower teeth do not come forward enough. This affects both the appearance and the function of the bite, and it can make the front teeth more vulnerable to injury.
Overbite
The upper front teeth extend out over the lower front teeth. In a deep overbite, the lower front teeth can bite into the roof of the mouth, leading to wear and discomfort over time.
Crossbite
The upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth rather than outside them. A crossbite can cause uneven, misaligned jaw growth and lopsided wear, and it is one of the bite issues we look at closely alongside airway and jaw development.
Openbite
The upper and lower front teeth do not overlap and meet, leaving an open space when the back teeth are together. An open bite makes proper chewing difficult and is often linked to habits like tongue thrusting and to airway and breathing patterns.
Crowding
Teeth have too little room to erupt and line up, so they overlap or twist. Crowding is one of the most common reasons for treatment. It can frequently be corrected with expansion, and in many cases tooth removal can be avoided.
Spacing
Gaps appear between the teeth. Spacing may be caused by missing teeth, by teeth that are small relative to the jaw, or it may simply be a cosmetic concern the patient wants addressed.
Underbite
The lower jaw sits forward, so the lower front teeth close in front of the upper front teeth. Underbites often have a skeletal component, and more significant cases may benefit from early treatment in children or coordinated surgical orthodontics in adults.
