Bite & Alignment Problems Treated at Freelove in Kent and Sammamish
The bite and alignment problems treated at this practice
Reviewed and approved by Dr. Cameron Freelove, DDS, MS · Last updated
10 Conditions Diagnosed and Treated at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design
Crooked teeth are a symptom, not a diagnosis. The underlying cause might be jaw size, jaw position, tongue posture, airway restriction, a persistent childhood habit, or a combination. Click any condition below to read how Dr. Freelove diagnoses the cause, which severity level fits, and which treatment path is recommended.
Crowding
Overlapping or crooked teeth caused by insufficient jaw space. The most common reason families start orthodontic treatment, and the condition most likely to worsen with age.
Causes, severity & treatment →
Overbite (Deep Bite)
Upper front teeth overlap the lower teeth too much, sometimes biting into the gum tissue. Can be a jaw-size problem, a tooth-position problem, or both.
Causes, severity & treatment →
Underbite
Lower jaw extends forward of the upper jaw. Early intervention between ages 7 and 9 produces the best skeletal correction. Adults with severe cases may need surgical planning.
Causes, severity & treatment →
Open Bite
Front teeth do not touch when the back teeth are closed. Often driven by tongue posture, thumb habits, or skeletal growth patterns. Carries one of the highest relapse rates when the underlying cause is not addressed.
Causes, severity & treatment →
Crossbite
Upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth on one or both sides. Left untreated, the jaw shifts to compensate, producing asymmetric growth, uneven wear, and TMJ strain.
Causes, severity & treatment →
Spacing & Gaps
Extra space between teeth from missing teeth, small teeth, or a jaw-to-tooth size mismatch. Ranges from a cosmetic concern to a functional bite problem depending on the cause.
Causes, severity & treatment →
TMJ & Jaw Pain
Jaw pain, clicking, locking, and tension headaches. Evaluated with CBCT imaging and bite analysis before deciding whether orthodontics, a splint, or a referral is the right next step.
Diagnosis & treatment →
Mouth Breathing
Chronic mouth breathing alters jaw and facial development, leading to crowded teeth, a narrow palate, and sleep issues. Roughly 80% of jaw growth is complete by age 7, so early screening matters.
Causes, airway & treatment →
Tongue Thrust
The tongue pushes forward against the front teeth during swallowing and rest. Causes and sustains open bites. Corrected with a myofunctional exercise protocol alongside orthodontic treatment.
Exercises & treatment →
Impacted Canine
Permanent canine trapped in the jawbone. Requires CBCT diagnosis and coordinated surgical exposure with the periodontist or oral surgeon, then guided eruption into the arch.
Diagnosis, surgery & treatment →
Not sure which condition you have?
Most families are not sure, and that is normal. A free consultation at Freelove Orthodontics includes a digital scan and airway screening, with imaging selected for each patient’s clinical needs, so Dr. Freelove can identify the underlying cause rather than guess from the surface. Findings are explained in plain language, and when a child is not ready for treatment, observation is recommended instead.
Why Early Evaluation Matters
Dr. Freelove follows the American Association of Orthodontists recommendation that every child receive an orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7. Early evaluation catches the problems that respond best to interception: crossbite, harmful oral habits, tooth impaction developing from crowding, and airway concerns tied to inadequate upper-jaw development.
Early evaluation does not mean early treatment. Not every child who could benefit from treatment needs to start right away. When waiting for full eruption would achieve the same result, children are placed in observation and rechecked as they grow, and Phase 1 treatment is reserved for cases where acting early genuinely changes the outcome.
How Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design Approaches These Conditions
Diagnosis drives treatment. Two bites that look the same to a patient can need completely different mechanics. Dr. Freelove relies on three clinical principles across every condition on the list above.
1. Diagnose the cause in three dimensions
Every new patient receives a digital intraoral scan plus airway screening. Dr. Freelove evaluates the full face, jaw position, tongue posture, and airway, not just the teeth, before naming the diagnosis.
2. Plan the finish from day one
Treatment is digitally planned from digital records and clinically indicated imaging, so the final bite and smile are designed before the first appliance is placed. Custom digital braces and aligners are then built to that plan, which keeps treatment efficient and predictable.
3. Least-invasive effective option first
Dr. Freelove explores alternatives such as MARPE expansion, arch development, and IPR before recommending extractions, and weighs facial esthetics and airway impact whenever extractions are considered. When treatment is not yet needed, observation is the recommendation.
Diagnostic Workflow
Every new-patient consultation at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design follows the same sequence so nothing is missed, regardless of the reason the family came in.
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Health and airway questionnaire
Questions about mouth breathing, snoring, and sleep quality flag airway concerns before the exam begins. -
CBCT 3D scan when clinically indicated
When clinically indicated, a single scan, complimentary at the consultation, captures teeth, roots, jaws, and airway, revealing causes a 2D X-ray cannot show. -
Digital scan, no putty impressions
A digital intraoral scan builds a precise 3D model of the teeth in minutes. -
Examination by Dr. Freelove
Dr. Freelove personally examines every new patient and reviews the imaging with the family. -
Plain-language findings and options
The family leaves knowing the diagnosis, the treatment options with pricing, and whether observation is the better choice for now.
Treatment Options by Condition
Most conditions on this list can be treated with more than one approach. Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design selects the least-invasive effective option and documents why it was chosen. The tiles below summarize which tools match which problems, a full treatment plan is built after diagnostic records.
Custom Digital Braces (KLOwen)
Crowding, overbite, underbite, open bite, and complex corrections, planned tooth by tooth from digital records and clinically indicated imaging.
Clear Aligners
Crowding, spacing, and many bite problems for patients who prefer a nearly invisible option and can commit to full-time wear.
Expanders & MARPE
Narrow upper jaws, crossbite, and airway-related concerns. Dr. Freelove places MARPE mini-screws in-office.
Herbst & Growth Appliances
Growth modification for a retrusive lower jaw when a growing patient’s bite calls for it.
Lingual Braces (InSmile)
Braces bonded behind the teeth, invisible from the outside, for esthetically demanding cases.
TADs & Surgical Coordination
Skeletal open bites treated with TAD-supported intrusion, and orthognathic surgery coordination when the jaw discrepancy is significant.
What Kent and Sammamish Families Say
feza zaman
I just got my braces off, and I had such a great experience! My dentist and the team were so kind and made me feel comfortable throughout the appointment. They explained everything clearly and answered all my questions. Highly recommend!
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Kaito Garrett
My teeth came in very bad and now after my treatment my teeth are really good and straight and feel amazing. My orthadontist was Victoria and she was great and had a great time
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Kamar Yusuf
I couldn’t recommend a better place for any orthodontic needs! I came in a year ago and walking out today with the best smile ever. Loved the whole process and how smooth and caring the service was! Please do check them out…Read full reviewShow less
I couldn’t recommend a better place for any orthodontic needs! I came in a year ago and walking out today with the best smile ever. Loved the whole process and how smooth and caring the service was! Please do check them out and you won’t regret it. 😇
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Concerned about your bite or your child’s teeth?
A free consultation at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design in Kent and Sammamish includes digital records and photos, a Aoralscan 3 digital scan, a full clinical evaluation from an orthodontist, and a clear explanation of the condition in plain language. No jargon, no pressure, no same-day contract required.