How discomforting is the bite that feels “off”?
Having food trapped in places it never did before, or a dental crown that keeps failing, adds to the problem. These problems could be an evident sign of a severe bite misalignment. It could be linked to childhood habits like thumb sucking, but it could also be due to the jawbone being deformed over time. So bite alignment issues can appear as early as childhood or may be more evident in adults due to trauma or injury.
Some cases of misaligned bite are driven by tooth position; others are skeletal, rooted in the bones of the jaw. To find out the root problem, a comprehensive dental examination is all you need to opt for the best treatment options to ensure long-term dental health.
What Is Malocclusion?
Have you ever felt pain when chewing or noticed a new sensitivity on one side?
This is a serious symptom of a misaligned bite, which should not be avoided at any cost. Teeth not meeting properly impacts more than just chewing. You can gradually develop speech difficulties. A concise clinical exam paired with targeted X-rays shows whether your problem is a local tooth issue or a deeper jaw relationship. That distinction shifts both the treatment and the expected outcome.
During the treatment, you must consider your current restorations, gum health, and bite habits. You may have prior crowns, wear, or periodontal changes, so our approach to malocclusion treatment always starts with a comprehensive oral exam and a plan to protect existing work while achieving function.
Common Types Of Malocclusion
You observe bite issues in various adult patterns, like an overbite, underbite, cross bite, and overcrowding, which are classified into types. The breakdown below depicts the types of malocclusion so you know why some bites chip, and others trap food, causing jaw strain.
Class I Malocclusion
In Class 1 malocclusion, patients notice crowding of teeth, spacing, or even rotated teeth, trapping plaque. The plaque buildup elevates tooth decay and causes uneven chipping. This can be best treated with orthodontic alignment (braces or clear aligners) to correct tooth positions. Selectively, tooth extractions or interproximal reduction create space before alignment because adjunctive restorative or periodontal treatments beforehand can complement the treatment options.
Class II Malocclusion
An overbite is generally referred to as class II malocclusion. Protruding upper front teeth increase the extent and chances of chipping front teeth and functional strain on the bite and TMJ. Orthodontic treatment options are often helpful, combined with camouflage procedures like extractions or enamel reduction if you seek non-surgical corrections. If the jawbone relation exists, surgical options are considered to address the overbite.
Class III Malocclusion
Class III malocclusion causes an underbite that can impair chewing efficiency, create abnormal tooth contacts and wear, and alter facial balance. When the issue is dental, orthodontic tooth movement can correct the bite; when the problem is skeletal, the most suitable treatment is combined orthodontics and oral surgery to reposition the jaws for stable, long-term function.
Other Variations
1. Anterior Cross Bite occurs when one or many upper front teeth are behind the lower jawbone. This can cause uneven wear, gum recession, or chipping. Orthodontic correction is the best option to bring the teeth or tooth forward.
2. Posterior Cross Bite: A posterior crossbite causes one side of the bite to sit too narrow, which can shift the jaw, reduce chewing efficiency, and cause asymmetric wear. Treatment usually focuses on widening the upper arch (orthodontic expansion); in mature patients, the solution may require surgically assisted expansion or a combination of orthodontics and restorative balancing.
3. Open Bite: With an open bite, you may notice a gap between the upper and lower teeth, especially during chewing, biting, or speaking. Tongue posture is involved in this condition. The best way to correct an open bite is orthodontic tooth movement with auxiliaries or TADs, and myofunctional therapy for tongue posture. Long-term stability is guaranteed with an orthodontic-surgical approach when vertical skeletal growth is concerned.
Treatment Options For Misaligned Bite
Bite alignment issues can be treated with expertise after knowing their causes. The treatment options are versatile and recommended based on individual signs and symptoms.
1. Orthodontics (Braces, Clear Aligners, Retainers)
Orthodontics repositions teeth to restore balanced contacts and protect restorations. With these treatment options, the care is coupled with restorative sequencing, and you may have to use temporary anchorage devices for precise movements.
2. Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Correction)
In some cases, the jawbone position often prevents a stable bite, which refers to skeletal issues. The only solution to reposition the skeletal base is pre- and post-surgical orthodontics to restore the functional bite.
3. Dental Restorations (Crowns, Veneers, Onlays)
Restorative work reshapes worn or broken teeth to re-establish proper contacts and occlusion; many malocclusion treatment plans combine orthodontics with restorations so crowns and veneers sit comfortably.
4. Tooth Extraction (Strategic Space Creation)
Selective extraction creates room to align remaining teeth and improve occlusal relationships; extraction decisions weigh facial profile, periodontal health, and restorative goals to ensure functional, aesthetic outcomes. This is useful if you have overcrowding issues.
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Complications Caused By Bite Alignment Issues
When your teeth and jaws don’t meet evenly, chewing becomes inefficient, and certain teeth take much more force than others. That leads to accelerated enamel wear, cracked teeth or restorations, and chronic sensitivity; food traps in crowded or uneven contacts increase the risk of tooth decay and recurrent cavities. Repeated hard contacts also bruise the soft tissues around the bite and cause localized ulceration or gum recession.
These misalignment issues can also alter the force transmitted to the jaw and its joint. As the problem worsens, patients may develop jaw pain, frequent clicking, and chronic muscle tension due to a dysfunctional bite. Having an uneven bite can be deeply frustrating in everyday situations. It is frustrating, and uneven force can worsen the periodontal breakdown. It can lead to occlusal trauma and make plaque challenging to get rid of. In patients, this speeds up the progressive wear. Therefore, it is important to plan a visit sooner to avoid serious complications.
When treated in time, you can experience the following benefits.
- Chewing becomes easier.
- Teeth wear down more slowly.
- Cavities and gum disease are less likely.
- Jaw pain and TMJ problems decrease.
- Dental work lasts longer.
- Smiles look better and feel more natural.
Where To Get the Best Treatment For Bite Misalignment?
If you have experienced difficulty in chewing due to shifting teeth or bite alignment issues, it is the right time to see a specialist to recommend the best treatment options to resolve the problem. You should not overlook symptoms like frequent jawbone pain and impaired oral function.
Visit Fancy Smiles Dental Studio today for a comprehensive dental exam. We will evaluate function, restorations, and periodontal treatments to offer the best treatment option to address severe bite misalignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a slight misalignment; see us if your bite changes, like difficulty chewing or using more force to speak than normal.
It should be treated when crowding or spacing affects chewing, hygiene, or restorations.
They may need dental aligners, tooth extractions, or combined surgical-restorative treatment options.
Yes, misaligned teeth trap plaque and increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Many patients achieve excellent results with aligners, braces, TADs, and combined surgical-restorative approaches.