Who does not want a smile worthy of a toothpaste advertisement? You might have, at one point in your life, aspired to have a perfect set of teeth for everybody to admire. Sadly, not all people are born with straight teeth. Because of heredity, problems in jaw development, or habits such as frequent tongue thrusting or thumb sucking in childhood, your teeth might not have grown the way they ideally should. Malocclusion, or teeth misalignment, can come in many forms. The most common conditions are: 1. Open bite – an open bite is a condition wherein the upper and lower teeth could not make contact with each other. This creates a visible gap leading into the mouth. An open bite can cause speech problems, such as a lisp. 2. Overbite – this term refers to the excessive overlapping of the upper front teeth on the lower front teeth. People with deep overbites tend to have a short, round face, making them look older. 3. Underbite – underbite is the opposite of overbite. In this case, the lower front teeth and jaw protrudes far forward than the upper part. An underbite causes an extended chin and the person suffering from it can have difficulties talking and chewing. 4. Crossbite – a crossbite is when some or all of the upper front teeth gets at the back of the lower front teeth when you are biting, which can lead to teeth grinding. 5. Overcrowding – this happens when there isn’t enough space in your mouth for your teeth to grow, or when you have large teeth. Overcrowding can also result from having cleft palate or jaw damage. Aside from aesthetic reasons, teeth misalignment also needs to be attended to because it can cause oral health problems if neglected. Aside from the inconvenience stated above, having crooked teeth can cause more food particles getting trapped in between the teeth and contribute to greater plaque accumulation, since your teeth will be harder to clean. In addition, you may also experience Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ) that cause pain in your jaw. It is in your best interest to have your misaligned teeth corrected early as treating them gets more difficult as you age. If you have misaligned teeth and wish to straighten them, Dr. Sonia Rocha can help determine the best dental care option for your case. Tower Dental Arts offers an array of superior dental services to suit your needs. With the latest technology available, Dr. Sonia Rocha and her team of professionals will restore your smile and bring back your confidence. For the ideal choice in Southwest Florida, contact any of the following numbers today: (239) 495-7400 (Bonita Springs), (239) 566-9700 (Naples), and (239) 288-7275 (Fort Myers).
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