Teeth straightening starts with how the jaws meet.
A straight smile means little if the bite is wrong. How your upper and lower jaws relate to each other affects everything from chewing comfort to long-term dental health — and orthodontic treatment is often the key to correcting it.
Bite problems are rarely just cosmetic.
When the jaws don't align correctly, the effects extend beyond appearance. Uneven bite forces can cause accelerated wear on certain teeth. The jaw joint (temporomandibular joint, or TMJ) may be strained by a bite that doesn't close evenly. Some people experience jaw clicking, muscle tension, or headaches that have a bite component. And in severe cases, misaligned jaws can make it genuinely harder to chew or speak clearly.
At Claremont Orthodontics, Dr Denize assesses jaw alignment as a standard part of every orthodontic evaluation. His training at King's College London included the full spectrum of bite problems, including complex cases requiring combined orthodontic and surgical management.
Patients from across Perth — Nedlands, Dalkeith, Cottesloe, Subiaco, Shenton Park, and beyond — visit our Stirling Highway practice in Claremont for assessment and treatment of bite-related concerns. We also see patients from Karratha who travel to Perth for specialist orthodontic care.
The different ways jaws can misalign.
Overbite (deep bite)
The upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth excessively in a vertical direction. A deep overbite can cause the lower teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth and may contribute to wear on both upper and lower incisors over time. Correctable with braces or aligners for many patients.
Underbite
The lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth when biting. In children, early treatment with functional appliances may reduce the severity. In adults with a significant skeletal underbite, combined orthodontic and surgical treatment often produces the most stable outcome.
Crossbite
One or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth rather than outside. Posterior crossbites are often addressed with a palatal expander in growing children. Anterior crossbites (a single upper front tooth behind a lower tooth) can sometimes be corrected quickly with braces or a simple plate.
Open bite
When the back teeth bite together but a gap remains between the front teeth. Often associated with prolonged thumb or finger habits or tongue thrust. Treatment addresses both the habit and the tooth positions. Severe skeletal open bites may require surgical management in adults.
When bite problems affect daily comfort.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw joint discomfort are not always caused by bite problems — but a bite that doesn't close evenly can be a contributing factor. Dr Denize will assess whether orthodontic treatment is likely to address the bite component of your symptoms and be transparent about what orthodontics can and cannot resolve.
Bite assessment uses clinical examination, digital scans, photographs, and radiographs to understand jaw relationship in detail.
Depends on the severity of jaw misalignment and whether growth modification or surgical coordination is involved.
Significant skeletal jaw discrepancies may be best managed with combined orthodontic and surgical treatment (orthognathic surgery).
Frequently asked questions about jaw alignment.
Can orthodontics fix jaw alignment problems?
Orthodontics can correct many bite problems caused by the positions of the teeth and mild jaw discrepancies. In growing children, functional appliances can redirect jaw development. In adults with significant skeletal jaw problems, orthodontics is often used in combination with jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) for the most stable result. Dr Denize will assess whether your jaw alignment can be addressed orthodontically, or whether a combined approach is more appropriate.
What is the difference between an overbite and an overjet?
An overbite refers to how much the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth vertically — a deep overbite means the upper teeth cover a large proportion of the lower teeth when biting together. An overjet (often called buck teeth) refers to horizontal protrusion — how far the upper teeth stick out beyond the lower teeth. Both can be corrected orthodontically in many cases. Dr Denize will measure both at your assessment at our Claremont practice.
Can an orthodontist help with jaw pain and teeth grinding?
Jaw pain and teeth grinding (bruxism) are complex issues with multiple potential causes. Orthodontic treatment can address bite problems that contribute to uneven loading of the jaw joints and teeth. However, grinding has other contributing factors including stress and sleep disorders that are not resolved by orthodontics alone. Dr Denize will give you an honest assessment of how much your bite may be contributing to symptoms and whether orthodontic treatment is likely to help.
My bottom teeth sit in front of my top teeth. Can this be fixed?
An underbite — where the lower teeth bite in front of the upper teeth — can be caused by either the tooth positions or the jaw positions, or both. In growing children, early intervention with functional appliances or a chin-cup may redirect jaw development. In adults with a skeletal underbite, orthodontics is often combined with orthognathic surgery. Dr Denize will assess the cause at your consultation and explain what is achievable.
What is an open bite and how is it treated?
An open bite is where the upper and lower teeth do not make contact when the back teeth are biting together — there is a visible gap between the front (or sometimes side) teeth. Open bites often have a habit component such as prolonged thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. Treatment usually involves addressing the underlying habit alongside orthodontic correction with braces. In severe skeletal cases, a surgical approach may be considered. Our Claremont practice sees patients from across Perth with all types of bite problems.
Understand your bite with a specialist assessment.
A consultation at our Claremont practice on Stirling Highway will give you a clear, honest picture of your jaw alignment and what your options are.