Richmond VA Orthodontist | The Perfect Bite – What Orthodontists Look for

February 15, 2017

You may have been referred to our office by your dentist because you were told your bite needed work. We see many patients referred to us who are sometimes surprised to hear their bite needs work, because they did not notice. Our doctor looks for a few key things when examining your bite.

The View You See

When you look in the mirror, you can see the front of your teeth. What we look for in our office is to see whether your teeth are too long. If you notice your top teeth are covering more than half of your bottom teeth, we call this a deep bite. We also check to see how your teeth are lining up in relation to your lip.

Looking Down

Imagine your mouth wide open. Our doctor will have you open wide to check your teeth’s alignment from the top looking down. An ideal bite will form an arch shape when viewed from above. This is also a good way for us to see if you have gaps between your teeth.

From the Side

It might be hard for you to see your mouth from the side, but it is another important view of your bite that we check in our office. From this view, we can see if your mouth structure needs to be adjusted from an overbite (where your top teeth stick out in front of the lower set) or an underbite (where your lower teeth stick out beyond the top).

Next Steps

Once we’ve evaluated your bite in our office, we can take the next steps in helping you achieve the results you desire. If you have gaps and spaces, we might consider treatment options such as braces  or aligners. To correct under or overbites, we might consider treatments such as expanders.

Your Bite Matters

It is important to have a good bite because misaligned teeth can lead to difficulties while eating and speaking. Extensive jaw discomfort and tooth decay are also other side-effects of having an improper bite. Your oral health is dependent on having a good bite. Our experienced team is ready to assist you with any questions you might have.

For more information on the perfect bite or to schedule an examination, contact our office.

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Check out what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with our amazing team!

Our 5-Star Experience
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Tasha Nabi
10 September 2026
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Very professional kind and courteous. Love the results.
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Somaya Musawer
10 September 2026
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They helped me straighten my lower teeth, and helped me whiten it more than it was before. I personally would recommend this place and I loved the braces I have and my power chains. They don’t tighten it that much and it’s a perfect amount to eat and it doesn’t hurt. Thank you so much!
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Lindsay Blackman
10 September 2026
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Front desk was very professional and polite. Ari did a great job!
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Carrie Thornton
10 September 2026
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Great experience! Wouldn’t trust anyone else for braces! 2 of kids have been here and the experience is always professional and great!
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tyrone trapnell
9 September 2026
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We always have a wonderful experience with Sheila. She gets my son all fixed up and good to go until his next visit. She is kind and attentive.
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Susan LeClair
9 September 2026
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Mandy is amazing!!!! Best ever
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Johana Castillo
9 September 2026
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They do a excellent job ! I feel welcome every time with Lisa at the front desk :) and Mandy is very nice on every visit I have !
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Short Stacked Minis
9 September 2026
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Every time we come it’s always a great experience. The staff are all great and make our daughter comfortable with every visit. She even got a free squishy this visit .. that was a big deal for her!
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Nicole Erika
9 September 2026
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Best person here, Lisa
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Brandy Scott Lee
8 September 2026
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Great customer service! They were awesome.
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Where To Find Us

If you’re ready for a smile that makes you more confident, then you’ve found the right team here at Horsey Orthodontics!

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Monday 8:00am – 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am – 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am – 4:30pm
Thursday 8:00am – 4:30pm
Friday 9:00am – 2:00pm