When we talk about smile and overall oral well-being, the teeth play a very crucial role. The way they come together constitutes a proper bite. However, unfortunately, many individuals do not have this ‘normal’ bite. In medical terms, such bite issues are known as malocclusion or dental misalignment. If left untreated for long, this can significantly impact your ability to chew and converse. And worst of all, it can also hamper your self-confidence.  In today’s blog, we will walk you through the various types of teeth bites and explain how they affect your oral health. This can help you make a well-informed and timely decision regarding dental visits. Read on below!  

Bite size: Why does it matter so much?

Your bite affects much beyond than your smile – it can strongly influence your chewing ability, speech clarity and jawbone health. If you suffer from misaligned bites, then leaving them unchecked can potentially contribute to increased enamel erosion, persistent jaw pain and even, headaches.

However, the positive news is that such bite problems can be easily rectified with corrective braces, Invisalign and similar other orthodontic treatments. If you suspect having unusual bite patterns, such as, an overbite, underbite, open bite or crossbite, visit a good dentist without any delay. It can help prevent future dental complications and manage long-term oral health.

Teeth Bite types: The fundamentals

Your bite represents how the upper and lower teeth meet after you close the mouth. In ideal cases, the upper teeth set slightly overlap the lower set, with the back teeth (or molars) fitting together like puzzle blocks. But, what happens when the teeth do not align properly. This condition is called as ‘malocclusion’ or in simpler terms, ‘poor bite’.

Malocclusion is genetic, and habits such as, thumb sucking can aggravate the condition even more. It can also cause the jaw to grow improperly, giving rise to severe oral pain.  By obtaining a private dental treatment in London, you can get personalised advice along with the right treatment plan to manage such bite issues.

Types of malocclusion: Explained  

As told earlier, malocclusion denotes the misalignment between the teeth or jaws. It is a medical condition when the jaws do not close properly as they should. Dental professionals categorise these malocclusions into three major classes (depending on the jaw position). They are as follows:  

·       Class I: It is associated with mild to moderate misalignment of the upper teeth (when they overlap the lower teeth). Class I malocclusion is the most common bite issue faced by individuals.

·       Class II: Also known as overbite, Class II malocclusion is characterised by the upper jaw and teeth protruding out excessively over the lower jaw.

·       Class III: It is called ‘underbite’, in which the lower jaw sticks out against the upper teeth set.

Each malocclusion type has its own respective challenges – this prompts the need to obtaining various specialised orthodontic approaches.

What are the types of open bite?

In open bites, the teeth do not make any contact, causing difficulties while biting foods and speaking. These usually result from bad habits, such as, tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, etc. Maintaining proper oral care becomes extremely essential during such scenarios to prevent dental complications down the line. Here are the various types of open bite:

·       Anterior open bite: In this, the front teeth fail to touch or overlap when you close the jaw.

·       Posterior open bite: A significant amount of space appears between the back teeth while closing the jaws.

·       Dental open bite: It is characterised by one or multiple teeth being unable to completely erupt out within the gums. 

·       Skeletal open bite: This is caused by non-uniform growth of the jaw and is associated with the jaws not being able to meet properly. 

What are the types of overbite?

An overbite happens when the upper front teeth overlap the lower set vertically. However, not all overbites are the same and are commonly classified into two types:

·       Dental overbite: It is caused by wrong positioning and shape of the teeth. Dental overbites often happen due to bad habits or tooth crowding.

·       Skeletal overbite: This is caused when there are significant problems in jaw growth, where the upper jaw is bigger than the lower.

A mild overbite is generally harmless, however, if it is a severe one, then you may experience jaw pain, headaches, etc. It can also lead to wearing out of tooth enamel.

What are the types of crossbite?

A crossbite happens when some of the upper teeth leave behind the lower teeth instead of positioning slightly outwards (normally what happens). Some of the most common types of crossbite include: 

·       Posterior crossbite: The back teeth remain inside the lower back teeth.

·       Anterior crossbite: In this, the upper front teeth remain behind the lower front teeth while you bite.

·       Brodie bite: In this, either side of the back teeth overlaps improperly.

If not intervened on time, crossbites can result in uneven enamel erosion and persistent jaw discomfort. Book a dentist in London for corrective treatments. 

A comprehensive summary of bite types

Conclusion

For maintaining optimal oral health and overall wellness, it is necessary to understand the various types of tooth bites. Whether it is an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite, early detection helps in timely treatment, thus preventing potential complications in the future. Several private dental clinics in London facilitate routine check-ups to help recognise bite problems in advance. Also, you can obtain sophisticated and advanced orthodontic treatments here to restore the natural teeth alignment. Remember, a healthy bite not only improves function but also enhances your confidence with a long-lasting, beautiful smile!