Some people have a type of malocclusion where the teeth are misaligned, and some or several upper teeth fit inside the lower ones. This may impact front as well as back teeth, and in case it is the latter, it is known as a ‘posterior crossbite’.
Some people have, what is known as, crowded teeth. In such cases, the teeth are not proportionate, as they may have twisted or grown improperly while trying to compete for space as a result more teeth are present in small space crowded.
A person who has open spaces between two or more teeth is said to have ‘gap teeth’ or a spacing issue. This leads to food getting stuck, because of pockets created between teeth and gums, leading to sore gums or gum disease.
In this type of misalignment, the upper and lower teeth do not meet correctly. Either due to the position of teeth, jaws or both, there is no overlapping so the teeth appear ‘open’. In the front teeth it is known as an ‘anterior open bite’, and if it occurs in the teeth at the back, it is called a ‘lateral open bite’.
An ‘overbite’ is a very normal condition where the upper teeth overlap the lower ones. Every one of us has at least partial overbite. Orthodontists measure how much of the lower teeth are covered, to gauge whether aligners are needed
Contrary to an overbite, an underbite is when the lower line of teeth protrudes more than the upper teeth, giving the mouth and face a bulldog-like appearance. It is also referred to as Class III malocclusion or prognathism.