An uneven bite may mean some teeth are hitting before others or that your upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly. This can happen with crowding, spacing, crossbite, open bite, deep bite, underbite, or other forms of malocclusion. If your bite feels uneven, uncomfortable, or different than it used to, an orthodontist can check how your teeth and jaws align.
A healthy bite means the upper and lower teeth fit together properly when the mouth closes. The upper teeth should sit slightly outside the lower teeth, the upper front teeth should slightly overlap the lower front teeth, and the back teeth should meet comfortably for chewing. A healthy bite supports chewing, speaking, jaw comfort, and long-term tooth health.
When your mouth is closed, your lips should be relaxed, your jaw should not feel tight, and your teeth should not be clenched. When you bring your bite together, the upper teeth should slightly overlap the lower teeth, and the front and back teeth should meet in a balanced way. A healthy bite distributes pressure across the teeth instead of placing too much force on one area.
Yes. When you bite down normally, your back teeth should come together in a stable, comfortable way that helps you chew efficiently. If your molars do not touch, only touch on one side, or hit before the rest of your teeth, your bite may not be properly aligned. A posterior open bite, crossbite, or other bite issue can affect chewing, comfort, and long-term tooth wear.
Your front teeth should usually have a small amount of overlap when your bite comes together, with the upper front teeth slightly in front of the lower front teeth. However, the front teeth should not hit too hard, overlap excessively, or fail to meet when the rest of the teeth are closed. If the front teeth do not touch at all, it may be an anterior open bite; if the upper front teeth cover too much of the lower teeth, it may be a deep bite.
Your teeth should not be clenched or pressed together at rest. If your mouth is relaxed, your jaw should feel comfortable, and your teeth may be lightly apart or only gently touching without pressure. Constant tooth contact, clenching, or grinding can strain the jaw muscles and may contribute to tooth wear, jaw soreness, headaches, or sensitivity.
When your mouth is closed and you bring your bite together, your upper and lower teeth should fit together comfortably and evenly. The upper teeth should slightly overlap the lower teeth, and the bite should feel balanced rather than heavy on one side or one tooth. If your teeth do not meet properly, meet unevenly, or only touch in the front or back, it may be a sign of a bite problem, also called malocclusion.
At your first visit, the orthodontist will evaluate your teeth, bite, and jaws. The office may take photos, X-rays, or digital scans to help create a diagnosis and treatment recommendation. You should also have time to ask questions about treatment options, timing, cost, and next steps.
You may choose to meet with more than one orthodontist before beginning treatment. A consultation can help you understand your diagnosis, compare treatment recommendations, and choose the orthodontist and office that feel like the best fit.
A qualified orthodontist has completed dental school and additional specialty education in orthodontics. You can also look for membership in the American Association of Orthodontists, which is limited to orthodontic specialists.
