Straight teeth are something that everyone would love to have. However, did you know that orthodontic treatment can do more than just straighten your teeth? Correcting your bite is just as important as straightening your teeth. Read below to fine out why!

What Does "Bite" Mean?

When we talk about bite, we don't mean like the kind you get from a dog - or even getting a bite to eat. In orthodontics, "bite" refers to the way that your teeth fit together. The way that your upper and lower teeth fit when your mouth is closed is called occlusion. An incorrect bite or the misalignment of teeth is called a malocclusion. In most cases, a malocclusion is hereditary, and they are very common.

Improper Bites

An overbite occurs when the top teeth stick out disproportionately over the bottom teeth. Although we would never use this term personally, it is possible that you may have heard an overbite referred to as "buck teeth".

An underbite is when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth.

A crossbite happens when the teeth fit inside of or on top of each other. This type of incorrect bite may affect a single tooth or potentially a group of teeth. Crossbites can also cause teeth to tilt outwards or inwards, where teeth lean towards the cheeks or tongue rather than straight up and down.

• Difficulty eating or chewing


• Trouble speaking or pronouncing words


• Headaches or jaw pain


• The uneven wearing of the teeth, resulting in deterioration of tooth enamel and increased risk of decay


• More susceptible to sports injuries or high impact activity injuries


• In some cases, it may even cause temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)

• More proportional appearance of the face


• Balanced positioning of the jaw and lips


• Easier breathing, eating and sleeping that comes with newly expanded airway


• Healthier teeth and gums