An overbite is when the upper front teeth cover more of the lower front teeth than would usually be considered ‘ideal’. Dentists refer to overbite teeth as a type of malocclusion. Other types of malocclusions include underbites, crossbites and gap teeth (diastema).

An underbite is when you close your mouth and your lower front teeth are in front of your upper teeth. In many cases, this is actually a problem with your lower jaw being too far forward.

When you bite down, do your top teeth position themselves inside your bottom teeth? If so, you may have what’s known as a crossbite.

Gap teeth, called diastema, are extremely common. Some consider a gap between their teeth to be their signature feature. But, for others, spaced teeth can cause aesthetic concerns or even signal an underlying problem if the gap between teeth is getting bigger.

If your upper and lower teeth don’t touch when your mouth is closed, your doctor calls this an open bite.

There isn’t enough room in the jaw for teeth to fit normally.

Baby teeth are also known as primary or milk teeth.1 They generally begin to erupt around 2½ years old and slowly start to shed around 6. But sometimes, a child’s baby teeth don’t fall out at all, which can cause malocclusions or a bad bite. In such a case, corrective treatment is required.

Whether you’re looking to improve aesthetics or fix your bite, teeth straightening can positively impact the way you talk, smile and eat while improving your overall health.

Teeth straightening has come a long way, and with a method such as Invisalign clear aligners, you can straighten your teeth without metal brackets and wires and keep your confidence and smile – even during treatment.