At Eastern Virginia Orthodontics, our mission is to help patients throughout Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach achieve beautiful, healthy smiles through comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Our expert orthodontists can use tools like braces or Invisalign to treat almost any orthodontic condition, but the majority of patients we treat have one of a few common bite problems or malocclusions. Curious to learn more? As your Chesapeake orthodontist, we're here to offer some insight into the most common orthodontic problems.
Most Common Orthodontic Malocclusions
Bite problems, or malocclusions, usually develop due to genetics or as a result of certain childhood habits. but regardless of the cause, malocclusions can cause aesthetic problems in the smile as well as problems with the function of the bite and health of the teeth. Our practice can treat almost any malocclusion with quality orthodontic care, but here are a few of the most common bite problems we see:
- Crowding: Without a doubt, crowding is the most common overall reason for braces. Crowding occurs when there isn't enough room in the dental arch to accommodate all the teeth, causing them to grow in crooked and out of alignment. This not only impacts the appearance of the smile but also makes teeth more vulnerable to dental decay.
- Crossbite: This malocclusion affects the alignment of the jaws, causing the lower back teeth to sit inside the upper teeth when the mouth is closed. Crossbite patients may have difficulty properly opening and closing the jaws, which is why it's important to correct crossbite with braces.
- Openbite: Openbite isn't a particularly common malocclusion, but it is important to watch out for. This problem occurs when the upper and lower front teeth don't meet when the mouth is closed, leaving a gap or open space in the smile. Openbite is often caused by prolonged thumb sucking or other childhood habits, so we usually try to prevent open bite through early orthodontic treatment.
Schedule a Consultation with Your Chesapeake, VA Orthodontist
While these are some of the more common malocclusions, there are several more – and we're proud to treat all of them at our practice. Think you may be suffering from a bite problem? We'd love to help: simply request a consultation online to find out how orthodontic treatment can help you revitalize your smile. We can't wait to hear from you, and we look forward to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams!