Orthodontics (bite correction)

Orthodontic bite is the correct alignment of dental rows with full occlusion and maximum contact with each other. An incorrect bite can be formed due to various factors. It has a significant impact on a person's physiological and psychological health. An incorrect bite is almost always noticeable externally. More than 80% of all patients consult an orthodontist with issues related to an incorrect bite. Often, aside from external factors, an incorrect bite may not bother the patient. However, there are cases of complicated bite situations that require intervention not only from an orthodontist and surgeon but also from a gnathologist.

Thanks to modern technology, innovations, and new methods, there is a wide range of options for correcting the bite today. These options can include various bracket systems, transparent aligners, orthodontic plates and appliances, gnathological treatment, and more. Before we explore its varieties, let's determine its symptoms.

The most important thing to know is that a child's bite development begins long before they start speaking. So, if you want your child to have a correct bite and avoid future problems, we recommend reading our separate article on this topic. But, in any case, remember that correcting a bite is possible at any age!

• Excessive and prolonged pacifier use (it's preferable for children to stop using pacifiers after 1 year).
• Hereditary factors.
• Harmful childhood habits like thumb-sucking or object-biting.
• Delayed removal of baby teeth in children.
• Long-term absence of teeth in the jaw after removal or loss (in adults).
• Pregnancy-related issues, anemia, metabolic disorders.
• Cold-related illnesses can lead to mouth breathing in children.
• Inadequate chewing pressure (a lack of hard foods in the diet can lead to insufficient jaw growth and development in children).
• Harmful acquired habit - chewing food on one side.
• Lack of fluoride and calcium in the body.
• Injuries and dental issues.

Before discussing the different types of incorrect bites, let's understand what a correctly formed bite is. 

An incorrect bite is typically characterized by significant and noticeable misalignment of the upper and lower jaw teeth. It is characterized by loose tooth alignment, gaps and spaces between teeth, lack of contact between incisors and molars, the upper jaw may be significantly smaller or larger in size, and there may be issues like recession and crowding in the dental row.

Types of incorrect bites:

• Open bite - a pathological bite formation where upper and lower teeth do not close (often a common result of excessive pacifier use in childhood).
• Deep bite - a condition in which upper teeth cover more than a third of the lower teeth during closure, leading to speech defects and potential mucous membrane injuries.
• Mesial or prognathic bite - a bite where the lower jaw is noticeably protruded compared to the upper jaw; it is considered one of the most challenging and leads to facial proportion and symmetry issues.
• Crossbite - a bite in which the lower jaw is shifted to the side relative to the upper jaw, often accompanied by mispositioning of one or more teeth.
• Distal bite - one of the types of dental anomalies that can lead to tooth destruction. A distal bite indicates excessive development of the upper or underdevelopment of the lower jaw. In this condition, the upper jaw protrudes significantly, while the lower jaw seems recessed.

An incorrect bite should not be ignored; it requires treatment and correction. Even if a poorly formed bite doesn't currently affect your functionality, leaving it untreated can lead to physiological problems in the future.