What does a normal bite look/feel like?

[bmueller]

I've spent all of my life with an overjet (pretty big one). I'm to the point where my ortho is pulling my teeth back with elastics. Now I can feel the back surface of my upper front teeth touch the front surface of my lower front teeth. Is this the way it's supposed to be or should there be a slight gap? To me it feels really tight/constraining, but maybe that's because I'm not used to it. Now I keep opening and closing my mouth, trying to adjust my jaw, all day long because it feels uncomfortable.

I also heard that a "normal" overjet is 1-2 mm. This seems tighter than that.

[sirwired]

That answer will be different for everyone. You should really mention this at your next adjustment appointment and also ask what the final goal will look like.

[JumpTheDitch]

I would definitely speak to your ortho and be specific about your concerns. See if you can schedule an appointment purely to discuss it (so s/he doesn't have to try to fit it in around adjustments/other appointments/etc). It might be easier to raise your concerns sitting face-to-face in their office as opposed to lying at their knees in the chair.

I felt that my bite wasn't right when my braces were removed the first time round. I didn't mention it to my ortho as I assumed he, being the expert, must have adjusted my bite to the correct position and it would soon feel 'normal'.

Fast forward 5 years and I'm now in the process of treating TMJD caused by a retracted mandible.

Guess my intial feeling that I had to really 'tuck my lower jaw in' to bite together was correct. Wish I'd spoken to my ortho about it, before both discs got dislocated and unpleasant TMJD set in.

Your treatment may be absolutely on track, and your body is just getting used to the new set-up. No harm in discussing it though, the worst outcome may be that all is well but you understand your treament really well!

Go with your gut and be your own advocate!

Good luck

[bmueller]

Been thinking/looking at it some more today (As it's driving me crazy) and an upper canine is rubbing against a lower bracket. Every time I close, it's fighting against the bracket. I wonder if that has something to do with feeling uncomfortable.

Good news is that I go back to the orthodontist next week. Hopefully they can address any problems then.

[isthistaken]

It might be tighter now because it is in treatment, then will spring back some? I have no clue, just guessing. Front teeth contact is irritating though, and doesn't sound optimal for preventing wear on the teeth. It does not hurt to speak up. Ortho sees you a few minutes every other month, your teeth are with you 24/7. These guys aren't omniscient, omnipresent and what's the other one? Oh yeah, omnipotent. Definitely not omnipotent.

[starfish88]

I think this is probably overcorrection. I had a 12mm overjet and now my front teeth touch like yours do. My ortho expects 1-2mm of 'springing back' once the braces come off giving me the ideal bite (apparently)! I know what you mean about not knowing what a correct bite feels like - I started chewing with my back teeth finally, now that they are starting to line up and its like 'oh...so thats how its meant to feel!' but its taking ages to get into the habit because I naturally chew the wrong way to compensate for my old 'wrong' bite! Its good to know I'm not the only one going through this, my boyfriend is pretty sick of 'is this how I'm meant to chew?' questions!!! But I hope it getts better for both of us soon! Hang in there!

[bmueller]

I know how you feel! I used to only chew using my back teeth. Even soft stuff I would put near my molars to bite off pieces. Now that I can use my front teeth, I don't really know what to do. It just seems weird. I hope I can get used to it. I don't want to go through all this work to make my teeth function better but then revert to old habits of chewing only with my molars.

I go in on Monday to see the Ortho. Hopefully she has some answers for me.

[Roboto]

I started out with a 12mm overjet and throughout the last 2 years my bite has been different at every adjustment. My bite was even overcorrected to the point of having an UNDERbite!! I never thought THAT was possible! Everyone's teeth move differently so it's a little bit of a guessing game in a way until your ortho finds the perfect placement. I don't know how much longer you have, but your bite is not in its final place just yet and won't be for a little while longer. Touching is normal (as well as super annoying!!)... Just be patient while your jaw plays yo-yo lol.