Types of bite

The bite is the relationship between the teeth of the upper and lower jaws when they are closed. Depending on the nature of the closure, the types of bite are distinguished. It can be right and wrong. Doctors also talk about physiological and pathological occlusion. For example, if the jaw is too forward, so that individual teeth protrude and stick out, then correction is necessary.

An orthodontist deals with bite problems in children and adults. You can determine a malocclusion yourself. In front of the mirror, you can notice that the closure of the teeth is not ideal. In addition to aesthetic defects, malocclusion is also fraught with disturbances in facial expressions and speech. Facial asymmetry is often observed, which causes psychological problems to arise.

What is correct (physiological) bite

Physiological types of occlusion are characterized by the correct closure (occlusion) of the teeth. There should be no gaps, gaps or bony protrusions between the teeth. Correct occlusion is established only when all teeth are located along the center line.

Correct types of occlusion do not involve disturbances in chewing function. The upper jaw is shaped like a semi-oval, and the lower jaw resembles a parabola.

A physiological bite gives a person the following advantages:

aesthetic smile;
correct articulation and clear speech;
correct primary processing of food (chewing).

Correct bite: how to understand

To evaluate your bite, you need to see a dentist. The doctor will do this quickly and accurately. If you want to do this yourself, you should know that a correct bite satisfies the following requirements:

When the upper jaw contacts the lower jaw, an ideal contact is formed between the opposing teeth (upper and lower).
The central front teeth (incisors) are positioned symmetrically. That is, they are equidistant from an imaginary line running down the center of the face.
The dentition should be smooth, without gaps or crevices.
It is considered normal if, when closed, the upper teeth cover the lower teeth by about a third.

Important! The criteria described above, which can be used to determine the bite, are for informational purposes only. Only a doctor determines the types of bite and makes a diagnosis.

Correct bite: types

There is no ideal physiological bite. There are only types of occlusion that are close to perfect and do not require orthodontic or surgical intervention. Let's consider the main physiological types of occlusion.

Orthognathic occlusion

Orthognathic is considered the most correct bite, and is found in 90% of people with physiological occlusion. Orthognathic bite can be determined at home. Permanent teeth should fit tightly together. In this case, the upper incisors slightly cover the lower ones.

Straight bite

In a straight bite, the upper and lower jaws are the same size. At the same time, both the incisors and chewing teeth close. Individuals with a straight bite can boast a very beautiful smile.

However, such a closure is not without its drawbacks. Direct bite is dangerous due to premature destruction of hard dental tissues. This is due to the increased load on the teeth when closing. In this case, the enamel wears off faster, cracks and chips form.

Biprognathic bite

Biprognathic types of occlusion occur in children and adolescents who have the habit of thumb sucking. Also, these types of closure can develop in a baby if it is too late to wean him off the pacifier.

With this type of bite, the incisors bend slightly forward. At the same time, they come into contact, and for this reason such a bite is considered physiological.

Progenic bite

This is a normal option provided that the teeth develop normally. A feature of a progenic bite is that the lower front teeth are slightly pushed forward.

Types of prevention of malocclusions

Prevention of malocclusion in childhood is very important, as it determines whether the child will have problems in the future. Adults should monitor the eruption of permanent teeth in children and visit an orthodontist with the child for timely detection of anomalies and bite correction.

Prevention of malocclusions involves eliminating bad habits that cause one or another anomaly: lip biting, finger sucking in children. To do this, special plates are used that block the ability to use a bad habit. In adults, such methods help cure abnormalities in the early stages.

It is important to carry out sanitation of the oral cavity in a timely manner and periodically come for medical examinations to the dentist. Children from the age of six months should be taught to chew solid food.

A good method of prevention is specially designed therapeutic exercises. When performing exercises, the patient puts the correct load on the jaw muscles, which contributes to the harmonious development of the maxillofacial system.

Malocclusion: causes

Malocclusions are formed for a number of reasons, including:

Hereditary factors . One of the leading causes of abnormal bite is genetics. The size and shape of the jaw are determined by genes received from the mother and father. Pathologies such as too narrow a jaw, cleft bite, misaligned dentition and other disorders are often dictated by hereditary factors.
Nutrition . Malocclusion is considered one of the problems of modern civilization. In particular, we are talking about a situation where the lower jaw is underdeveloped. This is due to the abundance of liquid nutrition in childhood, which is why the lower jaw does not work fully.
Mother's illnesses during pregnancy . Some abnormal types of bite occur due to maternal illness, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Wrong selection of pacifiers . An incorrect bite can develop if the nipples are not selected correctly. It is important that the baby makes an effort to obtain milk. Otherwise, underdevelopment of the lower jaw occurs.
Bad habits in childhood . For example, thumb sucking and excessive use of pacifiers. Sleeping position also affects your bite. Often a malocclusion is formed when the head is thrown back.
Diseases of the ENT organs . It is important to treat ear, nose and throat pathologies in a timely manner. With such diseases, the child is often forced to breathe through the mouth. Therefore, diseases such as sinusitis, rhinitis, adenoids and deformation of the nasal septum require adequate and competent treatment.
Physical development disorder . In particular, we are talking about diseases affecting the growth and development of bones.

The importance of routine observations in normal occlusion

In children with an orthognathic or straight bite, the arrangement of dental units in a row may change due to untimely (early or late) change of primary teeth. During a preventive examination, the orthodontist will identify the presence of abnormalities in the rudiment itself. The following types of preventive measures are carried out:

Clinical examination (allows us to identify existing anomalies and risk factors).
Formation of groups of patients for further clinical observation.
Drawing up a plan of preventive and therapeutic measures (pediatricians of all profiles participate).

In adult patients with normal dentition, malocclusion can develop under the influence of external and internal unfavorable factors. The main reasons that increase the risk of developing dental anomalies in adults are:

carious process;
loss of teeth;
various types of prosthetics;
prosthetics errors;
bad habits.

During the examination, the dentist will identify the presence of predisposing factors, after which he will develop a scheme for carrying out preventive measures to maintain a normal bite. Selection is carried out on an individual basis, taking into account the condition of the dental system and the physiological characteristics of the patient’s body.

How to determine a pathological bite

Pathological types of bite are determined by the doctor. If you suspect a problem in yourself or your child, you should contact the dentist. Here are some features of pathological bites that you need to pay attention to:

The teeth do not close tightly. Gaps and gaps form between the upper and lower teeth.
There is partial or complete lack of contact between opposing teeth (incisors and/or chewing molars) (there is a short gap in the horizontal plane).
The upper jaw is noticeably smaller than the lower jaw or vice versa.
Dental crowding or occlusion, where teeth overlap each other.
The presence of a diastema - a noticeable gap between the incisors.
Change in appearance. For example, the lower jaw is shortened and the lips are turned inward.
Exposure of tooth roots and other defects of hard dental tissues. For example, an indirect sign of malocclusion is poor enamel and wear of the cutting edges.

Malocclusion: types

Like physiological types of occlusion, pathological ones also come in different types. Below is a classification of malocclusions.

Distal bite

This is a type of malocclusion in which the upper jaw is highly developed compared to the lower jaw. For this reason, the upper teeth move noticeably forward.

Mesial bite

In this case, the lower jaw protrudes noticeably forward compared to the upper jaw. Sometimes there is a retraction of the upper lip. Often, with mesial occlusion, the functioning of the temporomandibular joint is impaired.

Crossbite

It is observed when the jaw shifts to the right or left. In this case, 1-2 teeth are in the wrong position.

Deep bite

In this case, the upper teeth cover the lower teeth by more than half. With a deep bite, a speech defect is observed, and the oral mucosa is also injured.

Open bite

There is a large gap between the dentition during occlusion. This is due to the fact that some teeth cannot close when closed. Open bites often occur when a child sucks a finger or a pacifier for a long time.

Bite formation in children

At the stage of bite formation in children, there are three most important periods:

The milk bite begins to form at six months of age and continues until 3 years of age. This is the initial stage during which the foundation for the formation of a permanent bite is laid.
The change to a permanent dentition lasts up to 9 years. During this period, the jaws actively develop and a permanent bite begins to form. During this period, when the dentition consists of baby and permanent teeth, children often develop malocclusions. Common causes are a violation of the pairing of teeth erupting with an unequal degree of development of the jaw sections.
The formation of a permanent bite occurs from 12 to 15 years. The replacement of baby teeth ends, permanent teeth complete their growth and are installed in their permanent places.

Bite in the absence of teeth

If the patient has no teeth left, then there is no guarantee that prosthetics will be able to achieve an anatomically correct jaw. In this case, much depends on the initial positions (what the bite was like before losing teeth). If the upper and lower jaws are positioned relative to each other within normal limits, then the bite can be straightened with minor corrections. If the patient had problems with the jaw bones, then a deeper correction is required.

In the absence of teeth, the bite is determined using wax rollers. This creates an imitation of the dentition, which allows for standard changes. For this purpose, special plates and a curved, arc ruler are used. After all measurements and preparatory procedures have been carried out, a plaster and then a regular prosthesis is initially created in the dental laboratory.

Important: bite after wisdom tooth removal . Wisdom teeth were important for ancient people, but now there is no need for them. If wisdom teeth do not cause problems for a person, then doctors recommend not touching them. However, in cases where an adult wants to correct an incorrect bite, wisdom teeth can help with this. Thus, correction of the bite in adults is possible after the removal of wisdom teeth. The space formed after their removal allows the dentition to take an anatomically correct position.

Malocclusion: consequences

Malocclusion is a problem that should not be underestimated. Over time, malocclusion can lead to the following consequences:

Premature tooth loss . This is due to two factors. Firstly, an incorrect bite increases the load on the teeth. This threatens the appearance of cracks and chips. In addition, an abnormal bite increases the risk of developing periodontal disease. This leads to accelerated tooth decay.
Damage to the gums . With an incorrect bite, gum health deteriorates. They become sensitive to temperature, chemical and physical factors. In some cases, this leads to the formation of ulcers on the gums.
Pathologies of the temporomandibular joints . The most common symptoms are a clicking sound when chewing, which should not normally be present. Then pain occurs, and the function of the joint deteriorates even more.
Diseases of the digestive system . Well-chewed food is one of the conditions for normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. If the bite is broken, then relatively large pieces of food enter the stomach. Due to poor initial processing of food in the oral cavity, over time a person develops eating disorders.
Psychological problems . Pathological types of bite often worsen a person’s appearance. This is how low self-esteem is formed. A person becomes overly modest, fearful and unsure of himself. Sometimes, in order to improve the situation, in addition to dental treatment, the help of a psychologist is also required.

Determination of dental occlusion

Often problems with bite are obvious, but it also happens that everything looks normal on the outside, but there is a problem. Therefore, it is better to entrust the determination of the bite to the dentist. They use special methods to determine correct or incorrect bite and prescribe treatment.

Diagnostics include:

Clinical examination

The orthodontist collects anamnesis, conducts a general examination and examines the oral cavity and nasopharynx. They examine breathing, speech formation, swallowing, chewing, biting.

X-ray examination

A panoramic X-ray or CT scan allows you to identify skeletal abnormalities, see the exact location of the teeth, the condition of the roots, and bone tissue.

Biometric test

The doctor examines the jaws, takes and records all measurements.

Functional test

Examination in a stationary position, while talking, opening the mouth in the lateral and frontal projection.

It is impossible to put the jaw back in place on your own, but the sooner the intervention begins, the better the result. It is very difficult to restore the correct position of teeth after 25 years; it is better to do this while the bite is forming.

Treatment of malocclusion

Today, malocclusions are treated using various techniques. Most often, the curvature can be corrected with orthodontic methods, but in some cases surgical correction is necessary. Let's look at the most effective ways.

Orthodontic plates

These are removable hard plates that allow you to maintain the correct alignment of your teeth. Such structures consist of a plastic base and metal elements that hold the plate in the oral cavity.

Orthodontic plates are often used in pediatric dentistry. These products help develop the habit of breathing through the nose and also stop thumb sucking. In this case, the correct bite is formed due to the work of the muscular system. Depending on the tasks assigned, different types of plates are used. These are standard plates, plates with a visor, a flap or a bead. The plates are made from hypoallergenic materials. Those with baby teeth usually have soft plates installed. For permanent teeth, hard ones can be used.

Trainers

Another way to even out an uneven bite is to use trainers. These orthodontic structures are a two-jaw mouthguard made of silicone or polyurethane. Changing the bite with trainers occurs due to muscle work.

It is noteworthy that the result of such treatment persists even after the end of the course, because muscle memory is preserved. Trainers are successfully used for the following problems:

open and deep bite types;
mouth breathing;
speech defects;
crowded teeth;
bad childhood habits (for example, thumb sucking);
incorrect position of the lower jaw.

Treatment with trainers is carried out in 2 stages:

First stage . It lasts 6 months and involves wearing soft trainers. This is necessary in order to activate the work of the chewing and facial muscles.
Second phase . Soft trainers need to be replaced with hard ones. Such trainers directly affect the position of the dentition.

Advantages of trainers:

affordable price;
absence of unpleasant sensations;
the ability to remove the structure while eating or talking.

Aligners

These are dense transparent trays for straightening teeth. Aligners are made individually for each patient. As a rule, this is a series of designs, each of which is worn for a certain period of time, and then replaced by a new one. This is a kind of cascade correction method. The disadvantage of this treatment is the relatively high price.

Braces

One of the most effective orthodontic methods of bite correction is braces. These are special locks connected in an arc. For more successful treatment, braces are also equipped with special elastic bands (or pulls). With the help of elastic bands, it is possible to increase the pressure on the dentition that needs to be corrected.

Incorrect types of bite are treated with braces in several stages:

Preparatory . At this stage, diagnostic measures and selection of a treatment regimen are carried out. Professional teeth cleaning, plaque and tartar removal are carried out. If the patient has any dental diseases, they are treated before installing braces. Then the braces are made.
Installation . The patient gets braces. Vestibular braces are installed on the outside, and lingual braces on the inside. Fastening is carried out on an adhesive basis, so it is painless. It should be borne in mind that during the first week there may be pain, which can be relieved with painkillers.
Retention . After the braces are removed, the patient needs to wear retainers for a while. This is necessary to consolidate the result. The duration of wearing retainers is determined by the doctor.

Contraindications to orthodontic treatment

In some cases, orthodontic treatment for malocclusion cannot be carried out.

Contraindications:

mental illness;
pathologies of the central nervous system;
malignant tumors;
severe diseases of internal organs.

There are also relative contraindications, in which orthodontic treatment is possible subject to certain conditions.

Relative contraindications:

Periodontitis with mobility of teeth 2 degrees.
Poor oral hygiene. If a teenager does not take care of dental hygiene, then wearing orthodontic structures (for example, braces) is contraindicated. This is due to the fact that in this case the teeth are quickly destroyed.

Surgery

Surgery is resorted to in cases where it is a malocclusion of the 3rd degree of complexity. In such cases, orthodontic techniques are ineffective. Such operations usually last several hours. After 2-3 weeks you can return to your normal life. A month later, the patient begins jaw development techniques (to be discussed with the doctor). In some cases, after surgery, the patient is prescribed braces.

Laser bite correction

A laser for correcting occlusion is used at different stages of correction. For example, after correcting a bite, teeth tend to move. For this reason, bone tissue experiences heavy loads, causing microtrauma and inflammation to occur. Laser therapy helps eliminate inflammation and promotes rapid healing.

Attention! The laser is not used as an independent method of bite correction. It is used as an auxiliary method for treating associated complications and processes.

Treatment of malocclusions

Before prescribing treatment procedures, the orthodontist assesses the condition of the oral cavity, carefully examines the depth of the problem and the presence of concomitant pathologies, taking into account the patient’s age. Treatment of dental anomalies is carried out using conservative and radical methods:

Braces are the most popular method of bite correction. This orthodontic method has the widest range of applications and is suitable for solving any problem of malocclusion. Treatment with this method is long and includes preparatory, main and retention (recovery) periods.
Aligners. Removable structures are used to treat the initial stages of deviation. With their help, a gentle correction of the dentoalveolar apparatus is carried out, changing one set of mouthguards to another.
Application of veneers, onlays, crowns. Weak areas of the dentition that are susceptible to caries are protected by using orthopedic structures. Chipped areas of enamel are restored using ceramic onlays and veneers.
Surgical intervention is performed to treat late stages of dental anomalies (mainly of a hereditary nature). During the operation, the position of the jaws is changed, their size is reduced or increased.

Laser therapy is performed as an auxiliary treatment to help speed up regeneration and reduce the risk of complications.

FAQ

Is it possible to correct an overbite without braces?

Yes, you can, but under certain conditions determined by the doctor. Malocclusions can be treated using orthodontic plates, trainers or aligners.

Is it possible to correct an overbite at home?

It is impossible to correct a crooked bite at home. There are exercises to strengthen the muscular system, but they are ineffective and are used only in addition to the main therapy.

How long do you need to wear braces for an overbite?

Depends on the degree of damage and the age of the patient. The minimum wearing period is 6 months. In some cases, braces are worn for up to 3 years.

Is it possible to get veneers if you have an incorrect bite?

It is possible, but only with minor deviations from the norm. Otherwise, orthodontic treatment is initially carried out, and only after that is it permissible to install veneers.

How much does it cost to correct a bite?

It all depends on the amount of work. First of all, you need to undergo a diagnosis. Mild degrees of malocclusion respond well to treatment with removable orthodontic structures. In such cases the price will be low.