Normal Bite Occlusion
People who were born with a normal bite can consider themselves lucky. For decades back, orthodontics has been focusing on treating improper bites of all sorts. Truth be told, having a perfect teeth alignment since birth is rare. Therefore, most perfect teeth bite are achieved via a number of successful orthodontic treatments.
Before debating the importance of a normal bite, it is relevant to mention bites that are thought medically improper. An improper bite can manifest itself in various forms, including overbite, underbite, crossbite, and more. All these orthodontic problems are typical for men, women, and children of all ages. In addition, all these orthodontic issues ask for immediate professional attention.
In case improper bites are left unhandled, they can lead to countless dental problems. Some of these include tooth enamel loss, teeth, and jaw injuries, and even speech impairments.
So, what constitutes a Type II malocclusion, and how to achieve the ideal bite? Read on below.
How to Recognize Improper vs. Normal teeth bite?
The following are improper bites, while we’ll discuss common problems of normal teeth bite below.
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Underbite
Underbites represent a malocclusion that manifests with the lower jaw protruding way in front of the upper jaw and teeth. As a result of this condition, the lower teeth overlap the top teeth and cause a series of bite, eating, and speech issues.
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Crossbite
Crossbite is also a malocclusion that causes the upper front teeth to interfere with the placement of the lower teeth. Because of this, in crossbites, patients often face not just teeth, but jaw and jaw joint problems, too. In crossbites, when the mouth is closed, the top teeth find a place between the lower teeth, thus making the bite and jaw crooked. In some cases, patients with a crossbite shift their bottom jaw to one side (sides can vary) in order to close their mouth.
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Overbite
One of the most common teeth malocclusions is an overbite. Overbite is a condition in which the top teeth significantly overlap the lower. With this, the lower front teeth almost or directly bite into the roof of the mouth. You can recognize an overbite immediately by noticing a distorted smile, impacted teeth, and popped lips.
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Crowding
Teeth crowding is a malocclusion where the teeth don’t have space to grow, so they become stuck in return. Crowding occurs when teeth have insufficient room to erupt from the gums. Usually, this type of malocclusion requires braces treatment.
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Spacing
Many patients are suffering from spacing problems, which also interfere with a normal teeth bite. Spacing happens when there is a certain tooth loss or when the teeth are too distanced from one another.
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Openbite
Openbite represents an orthodontic issue where the upper and lower teeth are in line with each other. The condition can be a result of various early childhood habits, like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. Therefore, treating an open bite early is the key to successful treatment.
How do recognize normal teeth bite?
Read these guidelines and learn what a normal teeth bite is and whether you need to seek orthodontic help.
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Front View
When it comes to a normal teeth bite, you first want to look at the front part of your mouth. If your bite is normal, the upper and lower teeth should fit together properly into the jaw. Also, in a healthy bite, you will notice that the top front teeth are in line with the bottom, especially when smiling. When closing the mouth, a normal teeth bite will make the bottom teeth only partially visible.
In case these overlap vertically, you might be suffering from an overbite. In a normal bite, the top arch is wider than the bottom, with the top teeth laying mildly over the bottom. If this is not the case, you could be facing a crossbite.
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The Arch
The only way you can check for a normal teeth bite is to check the alignment of your arch. Open your mouth wide and analyze the top of the bottom teeth, or inspect the bottoms of the top teeth. For a normal teeth bite, you should notice an ideal alignment of the rows of teeth. If the bite is normal, the teeth will be touching one another, without an overlap.
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Profile View
Now, it is time to inspect your teeth from the side. When looking for a normal bite, the edges of the upper front teeth will slightly support the bottom teeth (front teeth to bite over the bottom teeth slightly). Should the teeth edges lay directly on or behind the lower teeth, you are suffering from an underbite. On the contrary, if the upper teeth are extending, protruding over the lower incisors, you might be suffering from an overjet.
What are the side effects of an improper bite?
If left untreated, an improper bite can lead to serious health issues. Such are:
- Gum diseases
- Tooth decay and fragility,
- Jaw pain or distortion,
- A distorted smile and other facial irregularities,
- Speech problems,
- Misalignment of the teeth and pushing out healthy teeth,
- Headaches,
- Ear pain,
- Facial inflammation.
Why does a normal tooth bite matter?
A normal bite can contribute to an overall dental and orthodontic health and well being. A normal teeth bite is important because it helps you bite through your food and chew it properly. At the same time, a normal teeth bite keeps you safe from suffering not just Class II, but Class III malocclusions as well.
Next, a normal teeth bite prevents possible speech problems. Some of the other perks of having a normal bite include:
- Improved and clear speech.
- Keeps you clear of bite-related pain and discomfort.
- Makes the teeth and jaw easier to clean.
- Protects the tooth enamel from potential damage.
- Keeps the teeth safe from breaking and cracking.
- Prevents additional bite issues, like tooth caries, gum disease, and TMJ disorders.
How do acquire a Normal Bite?
If you don’t have naturally normal teeth bite, you can achieve it by choosing the best orthodontic treatment option for you. Today, there are many available appliances which focus on fixing all bite-related problems. The best way to determine your ideal treatment is by making a check-up appointment your orthodontist. All available orthodontic bite treatments show great effects in patients of all ages.
Therefore, give your oral health the attention it deserves, and seek adequate treatment plans as early as possible.
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Supplemental Content
No one can be sure what their teeth are going to look like or what the teeth of their children will look like. It is possible to keep them clean and in good condition, but the shape of the jaw and location of the teeth is beyond the control of everyone but a dental professional. When looking at the teeth and mouth, the term occlusion is used. It is a way to describe how the mouth opens and closes and how the upper and lower teeth sit together. Very few people will have a perfect teeth alignment, but it is only when it is very poor that you decide it needs to be dealt with.
A normal occlusion was described by Edward H Angle in 1899 and explained that the lower and upper molars were in a position that allowed the teeth to be arranged in a line that was perfect teeth bite alignment side view. Previously he had made us away of a malocclusion and over the years, others have built upon his analysis. In 1992, there was a further description given of normal occlusion and this was slightly less than perfect teeth alignment. It was described as a position that left the person with no aesthetic or functional issues. This description came on top of the views of Andrews from 1972, naming the characteristics that all patients who were considered to have normal occlusion possessed. They were:
- Molar relationships
- The right inclination and angulation of the crown
- No teeth were in the wrong position or were set at the incorrect angle.
- Proximal points should all be tight
- The occlusal plane must be flat – the curve of Spee showing a curve of no more than 1.5mm
A toothache can be one of the worst pains in the world, but what many people do not know is that the layout of the teeth can determine whether or not you have pain in other areas. Back pain is one such issue that may be better sorted out by a visit to a dentist than a visit to the chiropractor. More understandable are the facial pains that are linked back to the teeth.
The reason for this is the way your teeth are set in the jaws. Dentists and doctors are in agreement when they say that it is the bite that is the issue. If the teeth are not in the right place, the problems will start, and solution will need to be found to get them in the proper position. The medical name given to the way that the teeth sit together is your “dental occlusion”. Any misalignment of the occlusion is going to put pressure on the jaws and the tendons and muscles. The skin covering your teeth determines how easily you can eat correctly, cough and show any form of emotion via the facial features.
The problems that can be caused when jaws aren’t properly aligned are immense, it is vital to seek a specialist in this case an orthodontist that can provide a normal occlusion as soon as possible. Even the slightest improvement can make day to day living much easier and more enjoyable. In some of the worst cases malocclusion can be noticeable, as well as function and appearance will be affected. In extreme cases this can make you feel uncomfortable, lead to affect ones self-esteem and make you a more susceptible target to unkind comments. With advances in medicine, doctors are finding new problems caused by a less than normal occlusion every single day – and orthodontists are finding ways to deal with them. If you are unsure how to chose a local orthodontist, check our orthodontist decision guide.
HOW TO KNOW IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A NORMAL OCCLUSION
If you are lucky, then the lack of normal occlusion will not be too noticeable; so, there will have to be other ways to find out if you have one. One indication will be grinding the teeth at night. This will bring its own issues so that issue needs to be dealt with. Further indications will be that the teeth can split without there being a specific force that caused it, or that the gums are starting to recede. Bacteria can be the cause of this, as can other issues with oral hygiene, but if you have a normal occlusion you should be less at risk.
Once the doctor has become involved, you will be on the way to having your teeth realigned. There will be tests undergone, and these are vital to ensure that the cause is the alignment of the teeth and not some other form of complaint or disease. Usually, it will be vibration techniques and x-rays that are used to give the dentist and doctor a clear view of what is going on. Once they have a clear picture of the teeth they will be able to decide which treatment they will carry out. They will make the decision depending on a variety of issues:
- How worn out are the teeth – There may be the need for other treatment before they start to set the teeth right.
- Where the problems are – If they are at the back of the mouth, the treatment will be different than if the teeth causing the problems are at the front.
If you don’t have much of an issue, it will only be superficial treatment that has to be carried out. Occlusal equilibration can be carried out and this will be a short and sweet treatment. Only the edges of the teeth will have to be reshaped and it is considered to be a minor procedure. When there is more work that has to be carried out, each case will have to be looked at individually. Age will play a part, as will the way the teeth have been treated over the years. Sometimes it will be a bridge or a crown that is used as this will repair a damaged tooth and make it fit into its place in the mouth much more easily.
When the issue is purely the location of the teeth, it is an orthodontist that will be needed. They will carry out all of the treatment that needs to be done before and after braces are fitted. Over a period of time, they will move the teeth into the position that they are supposed to be in. It will not take as long as it used to do as dental techniques have improved and good results can be obtained quite quickly. You will now have a normal occlusion and lovely smile.
Contact Us
IVANOV Orthodontic Experts
12866 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami, FL 33181
https://www.google.com/maps?cid=154326063970645489
Call us at (786) 540-1919 to schedule a free orthodontic exam.
