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Teeth can last a lifetime if they're properly aligned and well cared for. Unfortunately, dental and jaw abnormalities do often occur. Teeth can be impacted (trapped in the jaw bone), turned, crowded, spaced, or even missing altogether. Fortunately, most of the problems can be corrected by orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic problems are divided into three main categories called Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusion. Each condition calls for a different type of treatment. It is possible, though, to have a combination of these malocclusion problems.

Class I This problem occurs when your jaws line up with each other but your teeth do not mesh together properly. You may have teeth that are either too large or too small for your jaw, making it hard to chew properly, and possibly detracting from your looks.

Class II This condition is known as an overbite, "buck teeth," or "rabbit teeth." It occurs when the upper jaw grows too much and sticks out, or when the lower jaw doesn't grow enough and recedes. A receding lower jaw may require oral surgery.

Class III Sometimes called an underbite, this malocclusion is much less common than the other types. It occurs when the lower jaw has outgrown the upper one. An underbite can be a serious threat to health, and surgery may be necessary to correct it.

Other Common Orthodontic Problems

There are three other common orthodontic problems that can accompany any type of malocclusion.

Open Bite A few poorly placed teeth prevent the teeth from closing together completely. The molars close, but the front teeth don't meet.

Closed Bite The upper teeth overlap the lower teeth too much, causing the lower incisors to press into the roof of the mouth when you chew.

Cross Bite One or more of the upper teeth, which normally fit just outside the lower teeth, actually close inside the lower teeth.

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