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1. Common Orthodontic Problems and
Solutions

2. If you are one of the lucky few who were born with perfect
teeth, you’ve likely never been to see an orthodontist.
However, if you have had one of any number of orthodontic
issues, you may have spent quite a lot of time in the
orthodontist’s chair.
Orthodontics refers to a specific branch of dentistry that
deals with improper teeth positioning while the mouth is
closed. This is also known as malocclusion. Cosmetic
dentistry is also included in the orthodontics field.
Following are some common orthodontic problems and
solutions.

3. Improper Bite
An improper bite is certainly the main concern of
orthodontics. Some of the different bite conditions include:
• Underbite - where the bottom teeth are too forward.
• Overbite - where the top teeth are too forward.
• Reverse bite - when the top teeth close inside the bottoms
when the teeth are clenched.
• Misplaced Midline - the middle of the upper teeth don’t
line up with the middle of the lowers.
• Crossbite - at least one upper tooth isn’t slightly in front
of the lowers when the teeth are clenched.

4. Protruding Teeth
Sometimes, the front teeth protrude from the mouth,
causing a situation that doesn’t look particularly attractive
and increases the chance of injury.
This is often referred to as ‘buck teeth’ and when
orthodontics is used it can help the appearance and self
esteem of the patient.

5. Crowding
Crowding may refer to having to many teeth in the mouth
for the dental ridge to accommodate, or a situation where
the patient’s jaw is too narrow to hold the regular amount
of teeth.
Either case is a job for an orthodontist, and in most
instances one or more teeth will be removed to create more
space.

6. Excess Space
The opposite problem of the crowding issue is when there is
too much space in the mouth. It may be a situation where
there one or more teeth have been lost, or where all the
teeth are present but just don’t fill up the mouth.
In both of these scenarios, the spaces are causing a problem
and need to be filled in.

7. Purpose of Treatment
The main purpose of orthodontics is to correct the the
specific issue that is taking place in the mouth. This may
including moving teeth around, changing the growth
pattern of the jaws or retraining muscles in the mouth.
Once treatment is completed, the patient usually looks
quite different and feels different, and it can be a life
changing event. There are several different solutions
commonly used.

8. Fixed Appliances
Perhaps the orthodontics solution that most people are
familiar with are braces that consist of brackets, bands and
wires. Before different colours came along, these were
often called “train track” braces.
With these fixed braces, the brackets are cemented onto the
teeth and the wires run through. Tension is applied to the
wires and over time the teeth are moved into the proper
position.

9. Removable Appliances
Removable appliances are used for correcting teeth that are
just a little crooked or to help prevent thumb sucking.
Sometimes, a removable appliance is used after having
worn a fixed appliance for a couple of years. Some
examples include:
• Aligners
• Removable retainers
• Removable space maintainers
• Palatal expanders
• Lip and cheek bumpers
• Headgear

10. References
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249482.php
Medical News Today
http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information
/Articles/Cosmetic-Dentistry/Orthodontics/Orthodontic-
Basics/article/What-is-Orthodontics.cvsp
Colgate.com