Fixing Bites Minnetonka, MN

Correcting Overbites

Overbites also called deep bites, occur when the top teeth protrude over the bottom teeth. You should see at least 75% of your bottom teeth when you bite down. If you do not, you may have an overbite. Overbites can also cause increased wear on the lower incisors or gum tissue if they are deep enough to be impinging.

Correcting Underbites

An underbite describes a malocclusion in which the top front teeth are inside the bottom front teeth. Underbites often cause eating, breathing, and speaking problems. Underbites can also cause chronic joint pain, headaches, earaches, cracked and worn teeth, tooth deterioration, sleep apnea, and self-esteem problems. Depending on the severity of the crossbite, there are several underbite correction treatments, including:

• Braces: Gradual straightening of the teeth through metal or plastic appliances (the most common way to align a bite). Generally, elastics are used to correct the bite with this option.
• Reverse-Pull Face Mask: An appliance used in growing children that rests on a child’s head and gently pulls the upper jaw forward into the correct position using elastics connected to bands placed on the molars.
• Upper Jaw Expander: A 3D printed custom device that fits across the palate and expands each day to gradually widen the upper jaw until the lower teeth no longer close against the outside of the uppers.
• Tooth Extraction: Patients with too many lower teeth may need to extract the extra teeth. This can be a one-off procedure or done in conjunction with other methods.
• Surgery: Underbites due to the jaw sticking out much further than normal may require surgery.
• Cosmetic Approach: In mild cases in which there may be a tooth size discrepancy, non-surgical cosmetic dentistry can reshape the lower teeth and then Dr. McMahon may work with your general dentist to discuss restorations for the uppers.

Correcting Crossbites

A crossbite is a type of malocclusion that describes when the lower teeth cover one or more upper teeth when a person bites and can occur in several places in the mouth. Crossbites can be classified as anterior and posterior. A posterior crossbite refers to the back bottom teeth covering the back top teeth, while an anterior crossbite refers to the front bottom teeth covering the front top teeth. Crossbites can be corrected through orthodontic treatment (braces or clear aligners), Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE), Reverse-Pull Headgear (Face mask), and jaw surgery. To decide which treatment option is best for you, please schedule a complimentary consultation.

Correcting Open Bites

An open bite refers to front upper and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth closes. Although open bites can be inherited, they are most often caused by behavioral influences, such as thumb and pacifier sucking, tongue thrusting when speaking, and temporomandibular joint disorder. Open bites can be corrected through altering behavior (in young children), orthodontic treatment (braces and clear aligners), and surgery.

Correcting Overjets

An overjet is when your top teeth come too far forward in relation to your bottom teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) finds that protruding teeth are prone to accidental breaking and are hard to close comfortably.

It can also be hard to bite into your food if your front teeth stick out too far.

To correct overjets, often elastics or rubber bands are needed. If the overjet is really large, Dr. McMahon may use a class II corrector such as a forsus or carrier appliance.

Crowding and Spacing Issues

Overcrowding and spacing issues refer to teeth that are unevenly distributed and are either too close together or too far apart. Although teeth naturally shift, even with orthodontic treatment, there are non-genetic causes for overcrowding, such as early loss of primary teeth and non-erupting permanent teeth. When primary teeth do not come out when they are supposed to, permanent teeth often come in and cause crowding. Likewise, permanent teeth may not erupt properly due to retained primary teeth.

Crowding and spacing issues are most commonly treated through braces or clear aligners as they guide the teeth into proper placement. Other treatment options include veneers and dentofacial orthopedics, including headgears and palatal expanders. Dentofacial orthopedics help guide facial bone growth to properly align the teeth.