Introduction to Malocclusion of Teeth
Malocclusion is an oral health condition where the misalignment of teeth and jaw occurs. In this condition, it is not possible to bite normally. It becomes challenging to perform simple activities like eating and speaking. Its treatment is possible in many ways. However, it depends upon its severity.
Read on to know more about its causes, different classes or types of malocclusion, and the treatment options for malocclusion correction. Malocclusion can result from teeth being displaced, skeletal discrepancies, or a combination of both.
Causes of Malocclusion
One of the most common reasons for malocclusion is genetic inheritance. In other cases, bad habits and dental disease can also cause malocclusion. Three common types of conditions that are often observed: including overbite, underbite and cross bite. Check out the following possible causes of these conditions.
- Mouth or Jaw Tumour
- Impact Trauma or Injury on Tooth
- Lack of Oral Hygiene
- Any Permanent Tooth Loss
- Loss of Teeth in Early Age
- Excessive Thumb Sucking
- Obstruction in Airway Through Allergies or Enlarged Adenoids
- Too Much Feeding by Bottle
- Extended Pacifier Usage
- Malnutrition
- Cleft Lip & Palate
Types or Classes of Malocclusion
Class 1 Malocclusion
Class 1 malocclusion is the most common type of malocclusion. The back teeth are generally in proper alignment, but the front teeth are either crowded or rotated. A malocclusion is characterized as Class 1 when the upper teeth are overlapping the lower teeth. It is a minor overlap in most of the cases. It generally happens due to excessive thumb sucking and bottle feeding in the early years of the kid’s life. In this condition, either all teeth or only the upper front teeth lean towards the tongue.
In some cases, the upper teeth stuck out, and the lower teeth lean towards the tongue. Crowding of teeth is also possible due to these circumstances.
Class II Malocclusion
This is a more severe condition than Class 1. In a Class II malocclusion, the upper teeth and jaw significantly overlap the lower teeth and jaw. This condition also accompanies an open bite or and overjet. In an overbite, the upper teeth lean towards the upper lip, or the upper central incisors lean towards the tongue. This is sometimes referred to as “buck teeth”.
Lengthy and complex orthodontic treatment is often required for the overbite. This is partially because it often involves muscle activity to attempt to compensate for the discrepancy. You should find an experienced orthodontist who has access to the right appliances and knowledge to cure overbite.
Class III Malocclusion
In Class III Malocclusion, the opposite of Class II, happens. The upper teeth and jaws get overlapped by the lower teeth and jaw. This condition is also known as an underbite. In severe overlapping, it is called a crossbite. Underbite and crossbite may occur into a perfectly aligned set of teeth because of an abnormally shaped arch. There can also be a partly incorrect alignment of either upper teeth or lower teeth. This is sometimes referred to as a “protrusive lower jaw”.
In some cases, the arch of upper teeth remains underdeveloped. In some cases, the upper front teeth might be angled towards the tongue despite the proper alignment of the lower teeth. This condition also requires a little more experienced care to correct.
Consequences of Untreated Malocclusion
Are you amongst those people who hesitate or are uncertain about the malocclusion treatment? There is no need to hesitate or underestimate this issue. The consequences of going on with crossbite, underbite, and overbite can be harmful to your dental and overall health. The first challenge you face with improper bites is doing essential daily activities.
Chewing and swallowing food properly can become a challenging task for you. This can result in other health issues such as stomach issues and nutrition issues. Malocclusion correction is also vital to prevent the risk of snoring, sleep apnea, and TMJ disorder in the near future.
Effective Malocclusion Treatment
Following are the 3 prominent types of teeth straightening treatments which dentist use for malocclusion correction:-
- Braces: The traditional metal (or ceramic) brackets are attached to the misaligned teeth. There are brackets and wires used with the braces, which gradually puts pressure on teeth to correct their position. In some cases, external forces are needed to assist with skeletal discrepancies.
- Invisalign: This works like braces, but for simpler cases. Invisalign is made up of a series of transparent soft material aligners that gently move your teeth. The esthetic benefit of it is that the trays are not visible to other people. Because of this reason, Invisalign is one of the most popular teeth straightening treatments.
- ClearCorrect: Similar to Invisalign, this process uses customized aligners are designed for each patient. The aligner tray is changed every few weeks according to the progress of the treatment.
Key Takeaway! The importance of orthodontic treatment in children should not be underestimated. In a recent study, 90% of orthodontists revealed that they have observed signs of malocclusion in pre-school children. If you or your child is showing any signs of malocclusion, you shouldn’t delay in consulting your trusted orthodontist. This is a treatable condition. But an early diagnosis results in a more accessible and cheaper malocclusion correction.
Author Bio:
Creating perfect smiles is what Dr. Satish Pai is committed to. An orthodontist by profession, he believes that a perfect smile is a powerful part of a person’s personality. When he is not working hard on perfecting his patients’ smiles at Putnam Ortho in New York, he is busy writing engaging articles about everything related to healthy and perfect smiles. His other passions include golf, yoga, and surfing. Spending time with his family always brings a smile to his face. WEBSITE: www.putnamorthodontics.com
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