The appearance of your smile can dictate how you feel about yourself. So much of our confidence is linked to our smiles. If you feel good about yourself, you’re more likely to smile. But when you don’t like your smile, it’s something you may avoid doing. 

One of the biggest things affecting your smile’s appearance is the position of your teeth. There are several types of orthodontic issues, and they can affect more than how you look and feel about yourself. Issues with the position of your teeth can cause health problems, too. 

You might know your teeth are misaligned, but you may not know what type of orthodontic issue you have or the best treatment to address it. 

In this simple guide, we’ll discuss the various types of orthodontic issues, their causes, how they might affect you, and the treatments we offer to fix them. 

Crowding

Crowding occurs when there is insufficient space in the mouth for all the teeth to fit properly. This can cause the teeth to overlap or become crooked. Crowding is one of the most common reasons people seek orthodontic treatment.

This is often caused by genetics. If your parents or siblings have had an overcrowded smile, you might face similar problems. Other causes include losing your baby teeth too early or having issues with the development of your permanent teeth. 

When your smile is overcrowded, it’s challenging to brush your teeth. Bacteria and food can become trapped in the parts of your smile that your brush can’t reach. This puts you at a greater risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and infections. 

In some cases, crowding can make chewing harder, and you may often accidentally bite your tongue or the inside of your mouth. 

Spacing

The opposite of crowding, spacing refers to gaps or open spaces between the teeth. Spacing can be caused by missing teeth, small teeth, or an imbalance between the size of the teeth and the jaw.

Again, issues with spacing between teeth are often the result of genetics. Gum disease, tooth loss, a bite alignment issue, and early childhood habits like tongue thrusting can often lead to spacing problems. 

Although spacing largely impacts the aesthetics of your smile and how you feel about it, the unwanted gaps can make you more susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay. 

Overbite

An overbite, also known as a “deep bite,” occurs when the upper front teeth overlap excessively with the lower front teeth. This can lead to issues with jaw function and tooth wear.

Overbites are often caused by childhood habits. Tongue thrusting throughout your childhood can also push your upper front teeth out. Other causes include injury and illness, 

If you have an overbite, you may feel self-conscious, but it can also affect your speech and ability to bite and chew. Bite alignment issues can also cause strain along your jaw, which could lead to pain in your face, head, neck, and shoulders. As with other orthodontic concerns, you’re also more likely to develop tooth decay and gum disease. 

Underbite

An underbite occurs when the lower front teeth overlap the upper front teeth. This can cause difficulties with biting and chewing and make your chin stick out. 

There are various potential causes of underbite. Genetics can play a role, however, sucking your thumb or your dummy after early childhood could have affected the development of your jaw. Illness, medication, and injury at various stages of your life are all potential causes, too. 

As with overbites, you may also experience difficulties eating and speaking. You’re more likely to develop jaw pain which could lead to headaches and neck or shoulder pain. The risk of cavities, gum disease, and infection are also high.

Crossbite

A crossbite is a misalignment in which some of the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth rather than the normal outside position. This can cause uneven wear on the teeth and problems with jaw development.

Crossbite is often genetic, but the influence of childhood habits like thumbsucking on the development of your jaw and baby teeth is often a factor. 

Along with other bite alignment problems, you may experience jaw problems like temporomandibular joint disorder. The strain along your jaw can cause discomfort throughout your face, neck, and head. You may also find it difficult to chew or speak, develop cavities often, and struggle with gum disease. 

Open Bite

An open bite is a vertical gap between the upper and lower front teeth when the mouth is closed. 

Your open bite may have developed as a result of genetics, or it could stem from early childhood. If you sucked your thumb or a dummy later than usual or pushed your teeth with your tongue, it could have impacted the development of your jaws. Injury and illness may also be factors. 

An open bite can make it difficult to chew and bite properly, cause jaw pain, increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and infection, and affect speech. 

Treating Common Orthodontic Issues

At The London Smile Clinic, we offer various treatment options to suit your clinical needs, lifestyle, and budget. These include Invisalign aligners and clear and lingual braces. 

Invisalign

Invisalign is a popular choice for adults and teens wanting a discreet orthodontic treatment. Instead of traditional metal braces, Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually shift the teeth into the desired position.

Invisalign is perfect for addressing mild to moderate orthodontic issues. 

Why Choose Invisalign?

Here are some of the main benefits of Invisalign: 

  • Virtually invisible, meaning you can straighten your teeth without drawing attention to yourself
  • Removable for eating, brushing, and flossing, allowing for easier oral hygiene
  • Made from a smooth plastic shaped to your teeth for improved comfort

Clear Ceramic Braces

Clear ceramic braces are another discreet option. They use tooth-coloured and clear wires, making them much less noticeable than traditional metal braces.

Ceramic braces are versatile, meaning they can help in most cases. 

Why Choose Clear Braces?

  • Less visible than traditional metal braces
  • Clear braces are just as effective as metal braces
  • The edges of ceramic braces are often less harsh compared to metal braces

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are fixed orthodontic appliances placed on the back (tongue-side) of the teeth, making them completely invisible from the front.

We can use lingual braces to fix most types of orthodontic problems. 

Why Choose Lingual Braces?

  • They are completely hidden from view, making them ideal if you’re self-conscious about treatment.
  • Highly effective, even in more advanced cases

Orthodontic Treatments at The London Smile Clinic

Issues with the position of your teeth impact your confidence and health. We’re here to help you find the right treatment solution to suit your lifestyle and needs. 

Contact us today to arrange your consultation.