Orthodontic Problems and Treatment Options

Orthodontics is a sophisticated dental specialty that can diagnose and treat problems involving the alignment of your teeth and jaws, what’s often called malocclusion or a bad bite! It can be used to treat common problems like teeth that are overlapping or significantly crooked and out of line, and which don’t bite together effectively.

Most people think about having orthodontic treatment to improve the appearance of their smile, but it can be equally as important to think about the possible benefits to your dental health.

What Are the Most Common Orthodontic Problems?

Orthodontic problems occur when teeth don’t align correctly or when the upper and lower jaws do not fit together smoothly. While genetics often play a primary role in how our jaws develop, factors such as childhood habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting), premature loss of primary teeth, or facial trauma can also lead to bite issues.

Understanding the specific issue affecting your smile is the first step toward finding a lasting, comfortable solution. Here are the most frequent conditions we evaluate and treat:

Overcrowded Teeth (Crowding)

Crowding is the single most common reason patients seek orthodontic evaluation. It develops when there is insufficient space along the jawbone for all permanent teeth to erupt naturally.

As a result, teeth twist, overlap, or get pushed out of alignment. Aside from aesthetic concerns, overlapping teeth create hard-to-reach crevices where plaque, bacteria, and tartar build up, significantly increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Spacing and Gaps Between Teeth

The opposite of crowding, spacing issues occur when there is excessive room along the dental arch. Gaps can result from naturally small teeth, an overdeveloped jawbone, missing teeth, or tissue attachments (such as a high labial frenum). Beyond the visual appearance, food particles can easily wedge into open gaps, irritating the gum tissue and creating localized periodontal pockets.

Overbite (Deep Overlap)

An overbite (or deep bite) occurs when the upper front teeth extend vertically too far over the lower front teeth when the mouth is closed.

In severe cases, the lower incisors can bite directly into the soft gum tissue on the roof of the mouth, leading to tissue damage, pain, and accelerated wear on the front enamel.

Underbite (Lower Jaw Protrusion)

An underbite is characterized by a prominent lower jaw that extends outward, causing the lower front teeth to sit in front of the upper teeth.

This condition is usually skeletal and can make biting and chewing difficult. If left uncorrected, an underbite strains the temporomandibular joints and may alter lower facial aesthetics.

Crossbite (Misaligned Jaw & Teeth)

A crossbite happens when one or several upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth rather than fitting comfortably on the outside. Crossbites can affect the front teeth (anterior) or side/back teeth (posterior).

To compensate, patients often shift their lower jaw to one side when closing their mouth. Over time, an untreated uneven bite leads to asymmetric jaw growth, premature enamel fracture, and chronic facial pain.

Open Bite (Front Teeth Not Meeting)

An open bite is present when the upper and lower front teeth fail to make contact when the back molars bite together. This creates a visible gap directly between the biting surfaces.

Often caused by prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use, or tongue-thrust habits, open bites make biting into foods like sandwiches difficult and can lead to speech lisps.

Protruding Front Teeth (Overjet)

Often confused with an overbite, overjet refers to the horizontal protrusion of the upper front teeth, causing them to stick outward (“buck teeth”). Front teeth that stick out too far are particularly vulnerable to accidental chips, fractures, or sports-related trauma, and they often prevent lips from closing naturally over the teeth.

Diastema (Gap Between Front Incisors)

The diastema is a specific space or gap between the two upper front central incisors. But some see the wide gap as a quirky beauty trait, while large diastemas can cause problems with speech, trap food or be an indication that the spacing of the entire arch is off.

Impacted Teeth

An impacted tooth is one that remains trapped beneath the gum tissue or within the jawbone, unable to erupt naturally into its correct position. This frequently occurs with upper canines or wisdom teeth due to overcrowding or abnormal eruption angles. Impacted teeth require specialized care to guide them into place or remove them before they damage neighboring roots.

How Orthodontic Problems Impact Dental and General Health

Straightening your teeth is about far more than achieving a camera-ready smile. Correcting structural bite issues plays a vital role in protecting long-term physical health and dental stability.

• Elevated Risk of Decay & Gum Disease: Overlapping and tightly packed teeth create tight zones where toothbrushes and dental floss cannot reach. Plaque and food debris accumulate in these areas, causing silent tooth decay and localized gingivitis.
• Excessive & Uneven Enamel Wear: When teeth don’t meet properly, specific biting surfaces bear disproportionate pressure. This causes premature flattening, micro-fractures, and chipping of the protective enamel layer.
• Jaw Joint Dysfunction & Headaches: A misaligned bite forces your jaw muscles and joints to strain constantly during daily chewing and speaking. This tension frequently radiates into chronic jaw pain, earaches, shoulder stiffness, and tension headaches.
• Digestive Impairment: Digestion begins in the mouth. When open bites or severe misalignments make efficient chewing difficult, food is swallowed in larger pieces, placing unnecessary strain on the gastrointestinal system.

When Should You or Your Child See an Orthodontist?

According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), children should receive their first evaluation by age 7. At this stage, a mix of primary and permanent teeth is present, allowing a specialist to spot subtle jaw growth imbalances and emerging eruption issues early—often guiding jaw growth to prevent extensive correction later.

However, orthodontic treatment is not just for kids and teens. Healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age! Adults represent a growing portion of orthodontic patients looking to address lifelong bite alignment issues, relieve chronic joint pain, or improve their self-confidence. You should schedule an evaluation if you experience:

• Difficulty chewing or biting comfortably
• Frequent accidental cheek biting or tongue pinching
• Clicking, popping, or painful tension in the jaw joint
• Mouth breathing or difficult speech articulation
• Noticeable crowding, gaps, or protruding front teeth

Advanced Orthodontic Treatment Options in the Bronx

Modern orthodontic technology makes transforming your smile faster, more comfortable, and more discreet than ever before. Whether you’re considering dental braces or discreet aligners, consulting an experienced orthodontist ensures you receive a personalized treatment plan tailored to your lifestyle and bite complexity.

Traditional Metal & Ceramic Fixed Braces

Metal braces remain the time-tested standard for resolving severe overcrowding, complex rotated roots, and deep skeletal malocclusions. Today’s traditional brackets are smaller, sleeker, and far more comfortable than older designs. For patients seeking a subtle appearance, ceramic braces use tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend in naturally with your teeth while offering the precise control of fixed appliances.

Invisalign® Clear Aligners

Invisalign® uses a custom series of removable, smooth, medical-grade plastic aligners to move your teeth gradually into place. Because aligners are virtually invisible and removed during meals, you can enjoy all your favorite foods without dietary restrictions while maintaining effortless daily brushing and flossing. Clear aligners are an ideal choice for teens and adults seeking a convenient, low-profile treatment option.

Specialized Appliances (Palatal Expanders, Elastics, & Retainers)

Achieving a balanced bite often involves specialized supportive appliances:

• Palatal Expanders: Gently widen a narrow upper jaw in growing children to create essential room for crowded teeth and correct crossbites before bone structures fuse.
• Orthodontic Elastics: Small rubber bands attached to brackets that apply precise multi-directional forces to adjust how upper and lower jaws fit together.
• Retainers: Custom appliances worn after active treatment to hold your newly aligned teeth securely in position while bone and tissue stabilize around them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Problems

What is the difference between an overbite and an overjet?

An overbite refers to the vertical overlap where the upper front teeth cover the lower front teeth excessively. An overjet (often called protruding front teeth) is a horizontal distance problem where the upper front teeth stick out too far forward over the lower teeth. Both conditions can be corrected using braces or clear aligners.

What age should my child have their first orthodontic checkup?

According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), children should receive their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this stage, an orthodontist can spot subtle jaw growth and tooth eruption issues—such as crossbites or severe crowding—while the jaw is still developing.

Can orthodontic problems get worse if left untreated?

Yes. Misaligned bites rarely self-correct and frequently worsen over time. Untreated crowding makes teeth harder to clean, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Uncorrected crossbites or open bites can cause uneven enamel wear, jaw joint pain (TMJ disorder), and speech difficulties.

Can adults fix orthodontic problems with clear aligners?

Absolutely. Modern orthodontic solutions like Invisalign® clear aligners and ceramic braces allow adults to discreetly correct crowding, spacing, overbites, and crossbites.

Can you have more than one orthodontic condition at the same time?

Yes, it is very common. For example, a patient may experience both severe crowding and a deep overbite simultaneously. During your initial consultation, digital imaging and X-rays are used to diagnose all underlying issues and create a comprehensive treatment plan.

Are orthodontic treatments covered by dental insurance in the Bronx?

Many dental insurance plans offer partial coverage for orthodontic treatments, including braces and aligners. At 505 Dental Associates, we accept most major insurance plans and assist patients with insurance verification and financing options.