Cross Bite – Overjet – Open Bite | THE BIG 3 in 2020
Cross bite issues? Correctly aligned teeth improve the way you smile and build personal confidence. However, not everyone has this kind of teeth from the start. Going back to history, you will find that most kids and adults are victims of a condition known as malocclusion. The good news is, the situation can be reversed to ensure that you have a pleasant natural smile with properly aligned teeth. Before looking for the correct procedures, it’s essential to define the condition. In this post, we’ll tell you the major differences between cross bite – overjet – open bite.
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People also ask
- How do you fix an Overjet bite?
- What is an Overjet bite?
- Does open bite affect speech?
- Can braces cause an open bite?
Overjet, Open Bite, and Cross Bite
Malocclusion
Occlusion is a term used to refer to the teeth alignment. Therefore, malocclusion is a misalignment or deviation from normal occlusion. There are several types of malocclusion, which include Overjet, open bite, and cross bite. These are on the upper and lower jaw.
If you experience any of these problems, it’s possible to reverse and get a healthy bite by visiting an orthodontist. The orthodontist will assess and provide reasonable treatment to ensure you have an accurate teeth alignment. Some of the treatments include traditional appliances, retainers, Invisalign, and several others, depending on your condition. If you are wondering – if bracing can help with your overjet open bite and crossbite, then this article is for you. After reading, you will understand the causes of misalignment and the correction method.
Fixing an Overjet
Overjet is a term that technically refers to the protruding of upper teeth. This means teeth from the upper jaw don’t have the usual contact with the lower jaw teeth. People with this condition experience social embarrassment, something that even affects their self-esteem. They tend to smile while hiding their teeth or at times, avoid communicating completely. Apart from the social problems, an overjet also leaves your upper front teeth prone to accidents and injuries of all types since they are less protected due to the protruding.
There are numerous reasons for overjet, but the most common causes are childhood habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting that persist even when adult teeth start to come through. Others include underdeveloped or short lower jaws.
If you have an overjet, it’s essential to consult an orthodontist as early as possible to correct the problem. Here are some of the reasons you should correct an overjet:
- Prevent premature wear
- Improve how your back teeth (molars) bite together
- Help front teeth to function properly
- Prevent front teeth from trauma and accidents
- Boost self-confidence and improve your smile
The orthodontic devices can be used to move your teeth back to their positions gently. Your orthodontist will talk you through the treatment options to ensure you get the best option that fits your requirements. Some of the correction methods include lingual appliances, which are more like the traditional style, although they are fitted at the back of the teeth for discretion.
Fixing an Open Bite
There are three most common types of open bite:
- Incomplete over bite, which is when the upper front and lower teeth are not touching.
- A posterior open bite that is characterized by a gap between the back teeth when biting together.
- An anterior open bite which is a state where there is no overlap between opposing front teeth when biting together
An open bite is a condition that quickly breaks the personality of a person and makes them shy off even where he or she should be strong. Although most open bites can heal as the patient is growing, it’s important to ensure that you have several visits to the orthodontist to monitor the progress. However, if the condition does not heal on its own, you still stand a chance to undergo an orthodontic procedure.
After the orthodontist assesses the severity of the condition, he can use braces to pull back teeth and balance the bite. He can either use custom-made brackets or even headgear for a high pull and direct force to the right areas for aligned jaw growth.
Additionally, the orthodontist can opt for surgical correction if all the other options have failed. However, this is commonly applicable to adult patients whose jaws are already grown and difficult to align with bracing. The jaw surgery offers a corrective and permanent solution to the problem. This procedure also helps in solving other dental issues, ensuring that the patient gains lost confidence.
How to Fix a Crossbite
Patients with cross bites experience more problems than just the alignment of their teeth. Crossbite affects even the structural look on your face due to premature teeth wear, gum disease, and bone loss. Crossbites affect regular teeth functions, and they are also aesthetically unpleasing.
The common causes of crossbites are related to childhood behaviors that took long to let go. Therefore, detecting the problem at an early age is helpful. The use of braces will ensure to pull back the teeth in a position for you to provide healthy and proper functions.
How Much Can I Expect from orthodontics
Braces can provide solutions to almost all the dental problems that you have. However, the types used in correcting various dental related issues depends on the degree of the effects. For cross bite that is caused primarily by tooth alignment, the use of invisible aligners such as Invisalign can help. However, if the crossbite is complicated, it might require a combination of the palatal expander and traditional wire braces.
Conclusion
Visiting your orthodontist on a regular basis is the right way of ensuring that your dental issues are resolved. Additionally, the best thing about frequent visits is that the orthodontist will have the opportunity to assess the treatment and healing process. Contact Dr. McDermott now and have your malocclusion evaluated and your treatment options worked out. Overjet, open bite, and cross bite need not be scary.
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- Either way, let us know by leaving a comment below right now and continue the conversation.
McDermott Orthodontist
708 Elm Ave. E.
Delano, MN
55328
TEL: 763-972-4444
Overjet, Open Bite, and Cross Bite | THE BIG 3 in 2020

Dr. Michael McDermott earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Chemistry and Biology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He followed his undergraduate degrees with a doctorate in dental surgery at the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with highest distinction.
Dr. Mike then furthered his dental education by earning a masters and certificate in Orthodontics at the University of St. Louis in Missouri.