7 Types of Bite Teeth

Not many people know this, but your bite is a major part of your oral health. Properly maintaining teeth can be complicated when you have a bad or misaligned bite. Unfortunately, seven different types of bite teeth can bring about issues and challenges for people.

In this article, we will go through the different types of bite teeth and what could occur if they’re left untreated. We will also offer you the best way to tend to and straighten them.

What is a ‘Bite’?

In dentistry, the ‘bite’ refers to how the teeth close inside the mouth. When the mouth closes, the teeth of the upper and lower jaw must be perfectly fastened together. Fitted teeth ensure the bite properly performs its function of biting, chewing, and speaking.

However, this is not the case for everyone. There are such types of bite teeth that are irregular and misaligned. These are known as malocclusions or bad bites that can only be fixed by professional dental services.

Dental Bite Classification

The nature of the different types of bite teeth can be divided into three classes. Classifying bites helps dentists quickly identify the malocclusions and advise further treatment. The classification of these bites depends on the position of the upper first molars and how they fit with the lower ones.

Class I

The upper and lower jaw alignment is considered normal or ideal in this group. The upper molar fits correctly above the lower molar, giving the rest of the teeth an aligned and natural look. The person using this site also has a well-balanced profile and no specific complications related to it.

Class II

This class is characterized by how the upper molar sits far in front of the lower molar. This means that the upper front teeth seemingly cover the lower front teeth. A bite of this class can be genetically inherited or pushed by environmental factors such as finger-sucking.

Class III

Contrary to the previous class, in Class III, the upper first molar is wedged behind the lower first molar. This means the lower front teeth would stick out farther than the upper front teeth. This kind of malocclusion usually occurs due to excessive growth in the lower jaw or lack of it in the upper jaw.

Different Bites Teeth

Now that we’ve classified the kinds of bites let’s do a deep dive into the different types of teeth bites:

1. Over Bite

In an n overbite, the upper front teeth extend over the lower front teeth. A slight extension is typically present in normal bites as well, but in overbites, it’s exaggerated and heavily noticeable.

If this issue is not corrected, the upper and lower teeth could bite into the gums and roof of the mouth. This malocclusion could also cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems like jaw discomfort or pain. In some cases, it can also hinder speech.

2. Underbite

The underbite is the opposite of an overbite, where the lower teeth stick out farther than the upper teeth. The upper teeth would have to sit inside the lower ones and out of site from observers. It also gives the noticeable appearance of the jaw pushing out.

Furthermore, there are several different levels of underbite. Severe cases could cause problems such as chipped teeth or breakage. It can also make it difficult to bite and chew on foods.

3. Crossbite

This is one of the types of bite teeth that don’t fit over each other when the mouth is closed. Some of the upper teeth are also fitted behind the lower teeth. Crossbites can happen in various areas of the mouth, ranging from a single tooth to a group of teeth or the entire jaw.

This type of bite can also cause TMJ problems and uneven wear on the surface of the teeth. Tooth decay is also another problem since the irregular positi

4. Open Bite

Unlike the previous types of bite teeth, in an open bite, the teeth don’t touch even when the mouth is closed. In most cases, there would be an evident opening between the upper and lower teeth at the front, commonly known as an anterior open bite. However, a posterior open bite affects the back teeth and is less apparent than the anterior bite.

With a posterior open bite, chewing may be difficult since the molars and premolars can’t touch. However, an anterior open bite can cause problems when biting and swallowing and affect facial features.

5. Crowding

Crowding occurs when there’s not enough space in the jaw for all the teeth to align properly. This means the teeth crowd each other and may overlap, twist in place, and become crooked. Dental crowding can happen if a person is born with a small jaw or loses their baby teeth earlier than needed.

This kind of bite can be challenging to clean because of the way they overlap. If left untreated, it could lead to tooth decay, gum diseases, and build-up of harmful bacteria.

6. Spacing

Spacing can be seen as the opposite of crowding. It’s when there are noticeable gaps in between the teeth because of excess space in the jaw. Spacing can result from missing teeth, undersized teeth, oversized jaw, or even a combination of all three.

If this bite isn’t corrected, it could prevent the proper functioning of teeth. Food could also easily cling to the open spaces, causing cavities and gum diseases.

7. Protrusion

Protrusion refers to teeth that stick out, a.k.a. buck teeth. These types of bite teeth happen because the upper jaw might be too forward or the lower jaw is far back. In some cases, the issue could be in the protruding teeth, growing out at an awkward angle.

Since it’s difficult to properly close the mouth and lips around protruding teeth, they are left exposed and vulnerable. These teeth are inclined to breakage upon impact, especially during falls or accidents.

What Can Fix These Types of Bites Teeth?

If you identify with any of these bites and wish to straighten them out, then Invisalign is the answer to your problems. Over 12.8 million people have used Invisalign for their teeth, and all have come out with straightened and satisfied smiles. So, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with a dentist and make the best of your teeth.

Conclusion

By understanding the different types of bite teeth, people can recognize the signs of alignment and proceed for immediate treatment. The consequences of misaligned teeth go far beyond facial impairment and should be taken seriously as a dental condition.

So, if you’re looking for Invisalign in NJ, contact us at Hesed Dental. We have the best cosmetic dentist in NJ dedicated to bringing you authentic and satisfied smiles.