Patients are often referred to an orthodontist by their dentist due to an imperfect or “off” bite. This term means there’s some misalignment of the teeth – an incorrect relation between them when they come into contact with each other. Sometimes the issue is obvious, such as an overbite or underbite, but other times it can be more subtle. An imperfect bite can cause discomfort, pain, or even damage to your teeth over time.
Whether you’ve noticed a visual imperfection in your bite, are experiencing discomfort, have been told by your dentist that your bite is “off”, or are simply curious about your ideal bite, there are a few easy ways to assess whether your bite is in balance. These tests won’t diagnose specific issues, but they can help you identify whether you may need professional evaluation for correct bite alignment.
1. THE CLENCH TEST
It may not sound appealing (nothing about the word “clench” does), but the Clench Test is one of the easiest ways to check for a problem with your ideal bite. All you need is an empty mouth and a few seconds.
To perform the Clench Test, gently close your teeth together and slowly increase pressure from a light bite to a firm one. If this causes any pain or discomfort in your teeth, that’s a clear sign of disharmony in your correct bite alignment. You should also be able to lightly grind your teeth in all directions without discomfort.
Next, slowly bring your teeth together again. Do they all come into contact at the same time? If certain teeth touch first, those areas could wear down over time or become sensitive.
If you feel discomfort or pain—or notice anything that seems uneven—talk to your orthodontist or dentist. Mentioning small concerns early helps them address any correct bite alignment issues before they become larger problems.
2. VISUAL EXAMINATION
What does an ideal bite actually look like? Generally, it’s when your teeth fit together comfortably and symmetrically. But there’s a bit more to it than just appearance. An ideal bite alignment can be viewed from three perspectives: the front, the side, and the top-down (or bottom-up) view you can check in a mirror. Each view reveals a different aspect of correct bite alignment.
THE FRONT VIEW
- The edges of the upper front teeth are parallel to the top of the lower lip
- The upper incisors (narrow-edged teeth at the front of the mouth) should rest slightly in front of the lower teeth (in an ideal bite, the upper arch is slightly wider than the lower).
- With the teeth closed together, the upper incisors should cover about one third to one half of the length of the lower incisors.
- The upper and lower midlines (the lines between the central incisors) should line up with the middle of their respective lips.
THE TOP-DOWN (AND BOTTOM-UP) VIEW
- All of the teeth should be aligned in a flowing curve (imagine one of the Maccas arches, or the famous St. Louis Arch).
- The teeth should be touching each other with no overlapping or space in between them.
THE SIDE VIEW
- The cusps (pointed or rounded edges) of the upper teeth should fit in between the two teeth in the bottom.
- The backs of the upper front teeth should have gentle contact with the fronts of the lower front teeth.
- The edges of the upper incisors should not directly contact the edges of the lower incisors.
If you notice differences between your teeth and these traits, you might not have an ideal bite. While a simple Clench Test or a mirror inspection can’t diagnose specific problems, they can give you a good idea of whether your correct bite alignment is off.
If you’re not feeling any discomfort, there’s no immediate need to worry. However, even subtle misalignment may be worth mentioning to your dentist or orthodontist. Early attention to your ideal bite protects both your comfort and long-term oral health.
