Correct Your Bad Bite

McClellan Orthodontics

A bad bite is when the upper teeth do not properly meet the lower teeth when you bite down. There are many issues that a bad bite can cause…for example, a bad bite can cause pain while chewing and even damage your teeth over time. Poorly aligned teeth can cause jaw pain. The jaw may also click or pop. Sometimes, a bad bite can cause speech problems because the jaw and teeth cannot properly form words.

3 Common Bite Problems Treated by Dr. McClellan

1. Crossbite - A crossbite occurs when the upper teeth fit inside of lower teeth. This orthodontic problem can be caused by misalignment of teeth or a misalignment of the bone and can affect a single tooth or groups of teeth. Your jaw may shift to one side if not corrected and wear down on your tooth enamel.

2. Underbite - An underbite happens when the lower jaw sits in front of the upper jaw. The lower jaw may appear to be excessively large, but in many cases the lack of upper jaw development is at fault. An underbite impacts tooth wear and adds a stress on your jaw joints. Through orthodontic treatment, an underbite can be corrected and help keep you healthy, beyond an aesthetically pleasing smile.

3. Overbite – An overbite occurs when your top front teeth extend beyond your bottom front teeth. The most common cause of an overbite is the shape and/or size of the jaw or the teeth. This could mean having too much room in the jaw area or too little room to accommodate one’s teeth. If not treated, the overbite will allow the teeth to crowd each other and grow in crooked if there is too little room, or the teeth will be spaced too far apart if the jaw area is too large. A more severe overbite may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, or jaw pain.

Untreated problems will only get worse with time. If you suffer from a bad bite, consider visiting McClellan Orthodontics in Kenilworth, IL. Make an appointment today.