What Does An Ideal Bite Look Like? - Jorgensen Orthodontics

Your bite viewed from the side The most difficult view for patients to see is the one from the side. The best way to describe the ideal relationship from this perspective is a set of matching gears. The cusps or pointed ends of the top teeth should fit perfectly between two teeth in the bottom. The backs of the upper front teeth should rest in gentle contact with the fronts of the lower ones. This means that the upper teeth are in front of the lowers when the bite is closed. The edges of the upper teeth should not bite directly on the edges of the lower incisors or behind them (known as an underbite). Neither should the upper teeth stick out too far in front of the lower ones so that there is no contact. This is what is commonly referred to as an “overbite.”

When I evaluate a bite, I look at the patient from the front to get a general idea of where their teeth are positioned between their lips. Are they too long, too short, or just the right length? Are they aligned in a nice curve that parallels the lower lip? Is the bite open, too deep, or overlapping just the right amount? Is the upper arch slightly wider than the lower and do the midlines correspond? From the top (or occlusal) view, are the teeth well aligned and resting next to each other without spaces or overlapping? Do the back teeth mesh together like gears and do the top front teeth lie correctly against the front of the lower ones? If any of these relationships are not as described, there are probably issues with the size, shape, or position of the teeth or jaws that can and should be addressed through orthodontic treatment.

NOTE: The author, Dr. Greg Jorgensen, is a board-certified orthodontist who is in the private practice of orthodontics in Rio Rancho, New Mexico (a suburb on the Westside of Albuquerque). He was trained at BYU, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Iowa in the United States. Dr. Jorgensen’s 25 years of specialty practice and 10,000 finished cases qualify him an expert in two-phase treatment, extraction and non-extraction therapy, functional orthodontics, clear aligners (Invisalign), and multiple bracket systems (including conventional braces, Damon and other self-ligating brackets, Suresmile, and lingual braces). This blog is for informational purposes only and is designed to help consumers understand currently accepted orthodontic concepts. It is not a venue for debating alternative treatment theories. Dr. Jorgensen is licensed to diagnose and treat patients only in the state of New Mexico. He cannot diagnose cases described in comments nor can he select treatment plans for readers. Because he has over 30,000 readers each month, it is impossible for him respond to all questions. Please read all of the comments associated with each article as most of the questions he receives each week have been asked and answered previously. The opinions expressed here are protected by copyright laws and can only be used with written permission from the author.