A bite problem rarely announces itself with pain in the early years. Teeth wear unevenly, jaw joints work harder, and daily cleaning becomes harder.
Orthodontists group these problems into clear categories with well-established treatment paths.
Most cases become easier to correct when a specialist sees them early. A practice like Rykiss Orthodontics Winnipeg evaluates children around age seven. Read on to learn about the bite problems that treatment most reliably corrects.
Jump to:
- Overbite (Upper Teeth That Cover Too Much)
- Overjet (Front Teeth That Sit Too Far Forward)
- Underbite (A Lower Jaw That Leads)
- Crossbite (Teeth That Close on the Wrong Side)
- Open Bite and Crowded Teeth
- Why Early Assessment Makes a Difference
- Modern Orthodontic Treatment Options
- The Importance of Following Your Treatment Plan
- Looking Beyond a Straighter Smile
- Supporting Long-Term Oral Health
Overbite (Upper Teeth That Cover Too Much)
An overbite describes a deep vertical overlap of the lower front teeth. A small overlap is normal, and roughly two millimeters counts as healthy. Deeper coverage wears the lower enamel and can irritate the palate behind it.
Braces and clear aligners move the front teeth into a shallower position. Growth appliances help a young patient whose jaws remain flexible and responsive.
Adults in Winnipeg with a severe overlap sometimes need a surgical component as well. Retainers hold the new position once the active treatment finally ends.
Overjet (Front Teeth That Sit Too Far Forward)
Overjet measures horizontal distance instead of vertical overlap between arches. The upper front teeth project forward, which many families call buck teeth.
Those exposed teeth face a much higher risk of trauma during sports. Lip closure also becomes harder, which dries the gum tissue in front.
Treatment moves the upper teeth back or brings the lower jaw forward. Elastics, functional appliances, and aligners all play a role in that correction. A mouthguard protects the teeth while the movement takes place over months.
Underbite (A Lower Jaw That Leads)
An underbite places the lower front teeth ahead of the upper ones. Skeletal growth causes most cases, so genetics is a major factor in this group. Chewing suffers, speech can change, and the profile shifts over the years.
Early treatment guides upper jaw growth while the sutures are still responsive. A palatal expander with facemask therapy works best before the adolescent growth spurt.
Adult correction usually combines orthodontics with a jaw surgery procedure afterwards. A consultation before age ten gives a family the widest range of choices.
Crossbite (Teeth That Close on the Wrong Side)
A crossbite occurs when upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth at closure. The problem appears at the front, at the back, or on one side.
A single-sided crossbite pushes the jaw off center during every chewing motion.
An expander widens the upper arch and resolves many childhood cases quickly. Braces then finish the alignment once the arches match in width.
An untreated crossbite wears enamel and stresses the joint on the affected side. Posterior cases respond fastest while the palate remains two separate halves.
Open Bite and Crowded Teeth
An open bite leaves a gap between the front teeth at full closure. Thumb habits, tongue posture, and jaw growth patterns all contribute to it. Front teeth struggle to tear food, so the molars absorb extra force.
Crowding occurs when the arch lacks sufficient space for all the teeth to align. Expansion, careful spacing, and occasional extraction create the room a correction needs.
Teams like Rykiss Orthodontics in Winnipeg plan that space with digital imaging. Plaque collects in overlapping areas, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Bite problems fall into a short list of recognizable and treatable patterns. Overbite, overjet, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and crowding cover almost every case.
Timing matters, since a growing jaw responds to guidance that an adult jaw resists. A specialist consultation in Winnipeg costs little and answers the question with an actual examination.
Correction protects enamel, joints, and gum tissue for decades beyond the treatment.
Why Early Assessment Makes a Difference
Orthodontic treatment is not always about fitting braces immediately. An early assessment allows the orthodontist to monitor how the teeth and jaws are developing, even if active treatment is still several years away.
Identifying potential concerns during childhood can make future treatment more straightforward and, in some cases, reduce the need for more complex procedures later.
Growth is one of the biggest advantages younger patients have. While the jawbones are still developing, orthodontists can guide their position using appliances that are far less effective once growth has finished.
This is why many specialists recommend an initial evaluation around seven years of age, even if all of the permanent teeth have not yet erupted.
Modern Orthodontic Treatment Options
Orthodontic treatment has evolved considerably over the past decade. Traditional metal braces remain an effective option for correcting complex bite problems, but patients today also have access to ceramic braces, self-ligating systems, and clear aligners depending on their individual needs.
The most appropriate treatment depends on factors such as the severity of the bite problem, the position of the teeth, and the patient's age.
An orthodontist will assess these factors before recommending a treatment plan designed to achieve both functional improvement and long-term stability.
The Importance of Following Your Treatment Plan
Successful orthodontic treatment relies on more than the appliances themselves.
Patients who attend regular appointments, maintain good oral hygiene, and follow instructions for wearing elastics or removable aligners generally achieve more predictable results.
Poor compliance can slow tooth movement or reduce the effectiveness of treatment.
Keeping appointments and following professional advice helps ensure the teeth move according to plan while reducing the likelihood of unnecessary delays.
Looking Beyond a Straighter Smile
Many people associate orthodontics with cosmetic improvements, but correcting bite problems also supports long-term oral health.
Teeth that fit together properly are often easier to clean, distribute chewing forces more evenly, and place less strain on the jaw joints during everyday function.
Improving the bite can also reduce abnormal tooth wear over time and help preserve natural teeth for longer.
By addressing functional concerns alongside appearance, orthodontic treatment aims to create results that remain stable and beneficial well beyond the active treatment phase.
Supporting Long-Term Oral Health
Bite problems fall into a short list of recognisable and treatable patterns. Overbite, overjet, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and crowding cover almost every case.
Timing matters, since a growing jaw responds to guidance that an adult jaw resists.
A specialist consultation in Winnipeg costs little and provides an actual examination to answer the question. Correction protects enamel, joints, and gum tissue for decades beyond the treatment.
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