What is Orthodontics

Ideally, when we bite together, the front teeth overlap slightly and the edges of lower teeth should touch the inner surfaces of the upper teeth. When teeth don’t bite together in the way they should, problems can occur.

Straight teeth are important for many reasons. People whose teeth aren’t straight can be affected in many ways.
They may experience: difficulty with swallowing, chewing or speaking. A “bad bite”, or malocclusion, can also cause unnecessary wear on teeth. It can even make it harder to keep teeth clean, leading to gum disease, bad breath and cavities.

Yes, there are many different types of bad bites. In orthodontic terms, bad bites are classified as Class I, Class II and Class III.

Class I - Jaw is correctly positioned, but teeth are crooked
Class II - The upper jaw juts out too much, causing “buck teeth”
Class III - The lower jaw has outgrown the upper jaw, causing an underbite

• Insufficient room in the jaw - Some teeth may be blocked out if the remaining space for permanent teeth is affected by permanent teeth and baby teeth.

• Teeth that are too big or small - Permanent teeth may be too large or small for the jawbone, making it difficult for teeth to fit together as they should.

• Molars positioned incorrectly - If molars aren’t correctly positioned, it can cause poor alignment.

• Teeth that didn’t come in on schedule - Most teeth grow according to a specific timetable. If teeth don’t erupt in order (too early or too late), permanent teeth may have nowhere to go.

• Extra teeth - Additional teeth can take up space that would otherwise eliminate crowding in the mouth.

• Missing teeth - Occasionally, teeth don’t develop, leaving too much space and causing other teeth to “drift” into the extra space.

• Habits - Some habits, such as thumb or finger sucking can cause teeth to move. Other issues, such as mouth breathing or pushing the tongue against the top and bottom teeth can also force teeth apart.

The best way to understand your particular issue is to consult with a specialist orthodontist. MP Orthodontics works with kids, teens and adults to devise the ideal treatment. We also specialise in solving complex cases. Our philosophy? We believe there is always a solution.

There are many reasons people seek orthodontic treatment. Depending on their age and stage in life, people seek treatment for correction of the following:

• Cosmetic problems and to create a smile they feel more confident with.

• Bad bites causing damage to teeth, gums and the jaw.

• Protruding or misaligned teeth that may chip or break.

• Speech, swallowing or chewing difficulties.

• Sleep or breathing issues.

MP Orthodontics recommends early interceptive treatment as the most ideal approach, however people of all ages can invest in tailored orthodontic treatment solutions that make meaningful differences to the way they experience life. We offer a range of services to treat bad bites, such as metal braces, clear braces, lingual braces or Invisalign.