Bite problems we treat

There isn’t enough room for the teeth to line up, so they overlap or twist. Crowded teeth are harder to clean. Treatment creates space with braces, aligners or, in children, expansion.

Gaps between teeth can come from small or missing teeth or from habits. Braces or aligners close the spaces, sometimes in coordination with your dentist if a tooth is missing.

A deep overbite means the upper front teeth cover too much of the lowers; overjet means they stick out ahead of them. Both raise the risk of wear and injury and can be corrected with braces or aligners, sometimes with elastics.

The lower teeth sit ahead of the upper teeth. In growing children early treatment can help; in adults with a jaw-based underbite, treatment may combine braces with jaw surgery.

Some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. Crossbites can cause uneven wear and jaw shifting, and in children are often treated early with a palatal expander.

The front teeth don’t meet when the back teeth are together, often linked to habits such as thumb sucking or tongue position. Treatment depends on the cause.

Sometimes an adult tooth, often an upper canine, can’t come in on its own. Your orthodontist creates space and, with your oral surgeon, guides the tooth into place. Small anchors (TADs) can also help move teeth precisely.

• Types of braces
• Jaw surgery & braces
• Everything you need to know about TADs
• Book a free consultation