Everything You Should Know About Correcting a Bite

Often when people think of orthodontic care, they think primarily of straightening teeth. Although teeth straightening is certainly an important part of orthodontic care, there are other aspects of treatment that are just as essential. Correcting a misaligned bite, otherwise known as a malocclusion, is also crucial to good oral health. In this quick guide, we will provide you with some more information on why it's important.

What Is a Bite?
A bite, or occlusion, refers to the way the top teeth and bottom teeth fit together. By examining how the teeth fit together when the patient bites down, your orthodontist can evaluate what type of occlusion you have. If the top teeth and bottom teeth don’t fit together properly when biting, problems with eating, speaking, and overall oral health can arise over time.

Why Does a Bite Need to Be Aligned?
Most notably if the bite is misaligned, you may not be able to eat properly since the teeth don't touch and align the way they should. This problem can also cause speech difficulties when it's severe, since the way that your tongue touches your teeth has a lot to do with the way you pronounce words. Some people also experience more serious wear on their teeth because there is heavier pressure in some spots.

Can an Orthodontist Correct Alignment?
Yes, one of the things that an orthodontist can assist with is bite alignment. Orthodontists are experts in dentofacial orthopedics, which is the practice of guiding the bones of the face and jaw into the correct position.  Orthodontists are specially trained in how to diagnose bite discrepancies and how to safely correct them.

How Do You Know You Need Bite Correction?
While some bite discrepancies, like overbites and underbites, may be more noticeable, the best way to determine if you need bite correction is to talk with an orthodontist who can evaluate your bite. Get in touch with our team today to see how we can help you. At Cuozzo Orthodontics, we will be there every step of the way during your treatment.