Crowding
“My teeth are crooked when I smile.”
Crowding can vary from mild to severe. Sometimes the teeth can appear to sit one in front of the other, or teeth have erupted out of the dental arch. The teeth are difficult to clean.
Midline Deviation
“My teeth look off center when I smile.”
When biting together the upper and lower teeth are asymmetrical and are not centered with the face.
Deep Overbite
“When I bite together I can’t see my bottom teeth.”
The upper teeth partially or completely cover the lower teeth when biting together, and the lower teeth sometimes touch the roof of the mouth.
Excessive Overjet
“My child has buck teeth.”
Sometimes a result of uneven jaw growth, the upper teeth flare out too far in front of the lower teeth. Closing the lips over the teeth can be difficult.
Underbite
“My bottom teeth are out in front of my top teeth.”
Sometimes a result of uneven jaw growth, the lower teeth extend out farther than the upper teeth when biting together.
Openbite
“My child sucks his/her thumb.”
Often the result of a thumb habit, the upper and lower teeth do not meet at all when closing. It is difficult to chew or bite food.
Crossbite
“My teeth don’t overlap correctly.”
Sometimes related to crowding, one or more of the upper teeth sit to the inside of the lower teeth when biting together. This can occur in more than one place in the dental arch.
High Smile Line
“My child has a ‘gummy’ smile.”
There is an excessive show of gum tissue when smiling.
Impacted or Blocked Cuspids
“My child has ‘fang’ teeth that are up too high.”
Sometimes related to crowding, the cuspids cannot erupt at all or they erupt too high, above the dental arch.
In addition, if you notice any of the following in your child...check with your orthodontist.
early or late loss of baby teeth
difficulty in chewing or biting
mouth breathing
jaws that shift or make sounds
speech difficulties
biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
facial imbalance
grinding or clenching of the teeth