Malocclusions Fact File | Yorkshire Dental Suite

Get perfect straight teeth with orthodontics by YDS - contact us for options, pricing and pay monthly finance.

A malocclusion is when your teeth are misaligned and do not meet correctly when you close your mouth. There are many different types to be aware of. While they may not seem that significant, malocclusions can actually have a big impact on your health.

What is a crossbite?

This term describes the misalignment of the upper and lower teeth when you close your mouth. A crossbite can affect an individual tooth or a group of teeth.

What are the causes of crossbite?

Causes include genetics, mouth breathing and the delayed loss of baby teeth, as well as prolonged thumb sucking.

Why should I fix my crossbite?

There are many problems that can develop if a crossbite goes untreated. We therefore recommend seeking assistance from a dentist.

Gum disease.
Jaw pain.
Increased risk of tooth decay.
Increased risk of bruxism.
Uneven wear of teeth.
Visibly uneven jaw.
Cheek biting.
Low self-esteem.

What is crowded teeth ?

When the teeth twist and overlap due to a lack of space within the jaw, this is called teeth crowding.

What are the causes of teeth crowding?

Age and genetics are major contributors of crowded teeth, as well as childhood habits like dummy sucking. Wisdom teeth eruption can also cause crowding.

Why should I fix my crowded teeth?

There are many problems that can develop if teeth crowding goes untreated. We therefore recommend seeking assistance from a dentist.

Gum disease.
Tooth decay.
Cavities.
Jaw pain.
Headaches.
Speech difficulties.
Issues with chewing.
Low self-esteem.

What is gapped teeth?

As the name suggests, this dental condition refers to the small gaps found between the teeth.

What are the causes of gapped teeth?

A gapped smile may be a result of genetics, teeth grinding or habits formed in childhood. Gum disease is another cause, alongside an oversized frenum (the tissue that connects the upper lip to your gums).

Why should I fix my gapped teeth?

There are many problems that can develop if gapped teeth goes untreated. We therefore recommend seeking assistance from a dentist.

Tooth decay.
Gum disease.
Cavities.
Uneven bite force.
Headaches.
Jaw pain.
Bad breath (Halitosis).
Low self-esteem.

What is an open bite?

An open bite occurs when the top and bottom teeth do not come together when your jaws are closed.

What are the causes of open bite?

Wondering about open bite causes? Habits found in childhood and adulthood are often responsible for open bite, such as thumb sucking, nail-biting, tongue thrusting and teeth grinding. An open bite can also be hereditary.

Why should I fix my open bite?

There are many problems that can develop if an open bite goes untreated. We therefore recommend seeking assistance from a dentist.

Difficulties when chewing
Jaw pain
Speech interference
Tooth decay
Gum disease
Uneven wear and tear on teeth
Low self-esteem

What is an overbite?

An overbite describes when the upper front teeth extend beyond the lower front teeth. It is natural for your teeth to overlap slightly – however, if the overlap is over 2mm, it is classed as an overbite.

What are the causes of overbite?

Genetics, dental trauma, childhood habits – these all lead to the development of an overbite.

Why should I fix my overbite?

There are many problems that can develop if an overbite goes untreated. We therefore recommend seeking assistance from a dentist.

Jaw pain.
Tooth erosion.
Gum disease.
Tooth decay.
Jaw pain.
Headaches.
Speech impediments.
Difficulties when chewing.
Excessive wear and tear on teeth.
Low self-esteem.

What is an underbite?

This type of malocclusion occurs when the lower teeth overlap your upper teeth, causing your lower teeth and jaw to appear more prominent.

What are the causes of underbite?

There are a number of causes, some of which are out of our control. These include genetics and dental trauma. Tumours may also cause the jaws to protrude.

Why should I fix my underbite?

There are many problems that can develop if an underbite goes untreated. We therefore recommend seeking assistance from a dentist.

Impacts your speech and how you chew.
Increased risk of breaking a tooth.
Jaw pain.
Headaches.
Tooth decay.
Gum disease.
Low self-esteem.

What is overjet?

Often referred to as ‘buck teeth,’ overjet refers to the protrusion of the upper teeth over the lower teeth.

What are the causes of overjet?

Like many other malocclusions, overjet is often hereditary, or the result of thumb and dummy sucking in childhood. Tongue thrusting is another contributing factor.

Why should I fix my overjet?

There are many problems that can develop if an overjet goes untreated. We therefore recommend seeking assistance from a dentist.

Accidental tongue or cheek biting.
Headaches.
Jaw pain.
Worn teeth.
Difficulties when biting and chewing.
Conditions such as dry mouth.
Low self-esteem.

Treatment options

There are numerous dental treatments available that align your smile. Let’s discuss each procedure in more detail.

Treatment	How It Works
Clear aligners	These lightweight, ultra-discreet trays exert pressure onto the teeth, encouraging them to gradually move into their correct position.
Fixed braces	Similar to clear aligners, fixed braces move your teeth into alignment. This type of brace is attached using metal wires and brackets.
Nanofill Composite Bonding®	Nanofill™ offers a quick cosmetic fix. The exclusive procedure disguises your malocclusion with a bright, hard-wearing resin that lasts up to eight years.
Tooth extraction	This is often recommended prior to treatments such as fixed braces. Why? It helps to create space in your mouth and allow your teeth to move.
Surgery	In some cases, your dentist may suggest surgery to not only reposition the jaw, but also make the facial features appear more symmetrical.

Conclusion: Want to correct the alignment of your smile and restore your quality of life? Contact Yorkshire Dental Suite today – our wide range of treatments will give you the straight, uniform teeth you have always wanted.