Bite Correction in Adults: Modern Methods

Many adults believe that a bite should have been corrected in childhood and that now it is "too late". This is a misconception: modern orthodontics successfully treats patients at 30, 40 and 50. An iOrtho orthodontist explains why an adult should correct their bite, what types of malocclusion exist and which methods are used today in Yerevan.

Why adults should correct their bite

Most people come to an orthodontist because of the look of their smile. But a malocclusion is not only about appearance. It can be accompanied by crowded teeth, incorrect jaw contacts, overstrained chewing muscles and pain in the temporomandibular joint. The consequences build up over the years:

A separate group of patients are those preparing for prosthetics or implants. Without aligning the teeth and normalising the bite, crowns and implants last noticeably less time.

Age is not an obstacle

A first orthodontic check-up is recommended at 4–5 years, and active treatment usually takes place in adolescence. Teeth, however, can be moved at any age: what matters is bone quality, healthy gums and attention to hygiene. In adults treatment may take slightly longer than in teenagers because the bone is denser, but the result is just as predictable.

Types of malocclusion

Deep bite

The upper incisors overlap the lower ones by more than a third of the crown. It leads to gum trauma behind the upper teeth and rapid wear. Corrected with braces or aligners; severe skeletal forms may require surgery.

Distal bite (overjet)

The lower jaw is underdeveloped or the upper jaw protrudes excessively. One of the most common problems in adults. Treated with aligners, braces with elastics, and in pronounced cases in combination with orthognathic surgery.

Mesial bite (underbite)

The lower jaw is positioned forward relative to the upper. In adults, dental forms are corrected with braces or aligners; skeletal forms together with a maxillofacial surgeon.

Open bite

When the jaws close, a gap remains between the upper and lower teeth. Often linked to a tongue-thrust habit or mouth breathing. Treated orthodontically and, where necessary, with correction of muscle habits.

Crossbite

The dental arches cross when closing: some lower teeth end up outside the upper ones. Requires arch expansion with braces or aligners; with marked jaw asymmetry, an osteotomy.

Methods of bite correction in adults

Braces

Brackets are bonded to the outer or inner (lingual) surface of the teeth and joined by an archwire. They are made of metal, ceramic or artificial sapphire. Braces handle the most complex movements and do not depend on the patient's discipline. The downsides are visibility, more demanding hygiene, an adjustment period and the inability to remove the appliance yourself.

Aligners

Clear trays worn at least 22 hours a day and removed for eating and brushing. The treatment plan is built in digital software, so the timeline and result are known in advance. The advantages are invisibility, easy hygiene, comfort and a minimal number of visits to the doctor. Aligners suit most adult patients, including those who communicate a lot at work.

Combined and surgical treatment

In skeletal anomalies, where the problem is not the position of the teeth but the size and position of the jaws, the orthodontist works together with a maxillofacial surgeon. The teeth are aligned first, then orthognathic surgery is performed, followed by a final orthodontic stage.

How treatment works at iOrtho

Correcting the bite in adulthood is an investment in the health of your teeth and joints and in your self-confidence. Book a consultation at the iOrtho clinic in Yerevan, and the doctor will select the method that suits you.