If your smile is improperly rotated, you probably have a malocclusion. Malocclusions are “bad bites,” or misalignments with your teeth and jaw. Bad bites can be caused by the environment, oral accidents, genetics, bad habits, improper oral hygiene, or a host of other issues. Some of the most common forms of malocclusions are:
Malocclusions of the incisors:
Misplaced midline: when your upper and lower incisors fail to align.
Underbite: When your lower incisors protrude past your upper incisors. This can also be referred to as “bulldog teeth.”
Overbite: When your upper incisors protrude past your lower incisors; can also be referred to as “buck teeth.”
Open Bite: When your upper and lower incisors fail to connect when biting down.
Other forms of malocclusion:
Crossbite: When your lower jawbone sticks out past your upper jawbone.
Transposition Malocclusion: When teeth erupt above the gum line in the wrong spaces.
Rotation Malocclusion: When teeth slip and slide out of their proper alignment.
Spacing Malocclusions: These occur if there are irregular gaps in your mouth, overcrowded teeth, or large gaps between teeth.
If you suspect a malocclusion, talk to your orthodontist. The orthodontics team will discuss possible treatment plans with you.
For more oral health care advice or to schedule an oral exam with Dr. Ronald Champion and our team at our orthodontic office in Modesto, California, please contact Champion Orthodontics at 209-575-5888. We look forward to helping you soon!