The purpose of orthodontics is to treat any type of malocclusion, which is simply another way of saying “bad bite.”

When you have a malocclusion, that means your teeth, lips and/or jaws don't line up the way they should. As a result, your teeth may be crooked, your bite may not function correctly and your jaws may look unbalanced. Crooked and crowded teeth are difficult to maintain. Such problems can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, difficulty chewing and/or speaking, excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue, and possible jaw joint disorders.

Then there is the emotional side of an unattractive smile. When you're not confident in the way you look your self esteem suffers. Children and adults whose malocclusion is left untreated may go through life feeling self conscious, hiding their smiles with tight lips or a protective hand. The results of orthodontic treatment can be dramatic — beautiful smiles, improved dental health and an enhanced quality of life for people of all ages.

To fix a "bad bite" orthodontists use braces and other corrective procedures to achieve tooth and jaw alignment.

An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, of dental and facial irregularities. After finishing the graduate program at an accredited dental school , orthodontists are required to complete two to three years of specialty education at an accredited University program.