Malocclusion
Malocclusion refers to a bite that is not correctly aligned from front to back. It is frequently described as having crooked teeth or a bad bite. Your front teeth should normally be aligned directly in front of your bottom teeth. For a balanced bite, the teeth on either side of your mouth must also be aligned. Even with braces and other orthodontic treatment, very few people have a perfect bite.
Malocclusion is a cosmetic issue that isn’t generally harmful to your health. Even if your teeth aren’t hurting you, you might not enjoy the way they look if they’re crooked.
However, if your teeth are crowded and there isn’t enough room between the surfaces, you’re more likely to develop dental decay or lose teeth.
Malocclusion can make it difficult to eat or talk in extreme situations and can also lead to gum diseases and ultimately loss of tooth.
Causes
Malocclusion is often a genetic issue. This indicates that it can be passed on from generation to generation. The form and structure of your jaw might be altered by certain circumstances or habits.
These include:
- frequent use of a chew toy after the age of three
- prolonged bottle feeding in early childhood
- thumb sucking in early childhood
- injuries that cause jaw misalignment
- tumours in your mouth or jaw
- atypically shaped or impacted teeth.
- dental treatment resulting in incorrectly fitting dental fillings, crowns, or braces
- tongue thrust
- bruxism
- lip biting
- mouth breathing
- sleeping on your stomach
- nail biting
symptoms
The symptoms are as follows:
- Tooth decay (caries): malaligned teeth make maintenance of oral hygiene more difficult. Children who have poor dental hygiene and consume junk food very often are at a higher risk.
- Periodontal disease: uneven teeth make it difficult to clean them properly, resulting in poor plaque management. Additionally, if teeth are crowded, some may be more buccally or lingually positioned, bone and periodontal support will be compromised. Furthermore, mandibular anterior teeth are pushed labially in Class III malocclusions, contributing to gingival recession and weakening periodontal support. Trauma to anterior teeth: Those with an increased overjet are at an increased risk of trauma. A systematic review found that an overjet of greater than 3mm will double the risk of trauma.
- Masticatory function: individuals with anterior open bites, significant increasing and backward overjet’s, and hypodontia will have a harder time chewing.
- Speech impairment: a lisp occurs when the incisors are unable to establish contact, which can be treated with orthodontics. Other types of misaligned teeth, on the other hand, have little influence on speech, and orthodontic treatment has little effect on resolving any issues.
- Tooth impaction: this can result in the resorption of neighbouring teeth as well as other diseases such as the development of a dentigerous cyst.
- Psychosocial well-being: malocclusions of teeth that are regarded to be unattractive might have a negative impact on self-esteem. This is a subjective matter that will vary greatly depending on cultural and ethnic factors.
Types
- Overbite
While a slight overlap of the lower front teeth is normal, an increasing overbite can result in issues such as your front teeth pressing down on your gums or your lower front teeth cutting into the roof of your mouth often leading to wearing off of lower teeth and sensitivity issues.
- Crossbite
When your upper teeth bite within your lower teeth, you have a crossbite. It can affect one or both sides of your jaw, as well as your front and back teeth.
- Overcrowding
Overcrowding is one of the most frequent orthodontic problems. In fact, it’s frequently the primary reason people seek orthodontic treatment! Overcrowding is caused by a shortage of space, resulting in crooked and overlapping teeth.
- Spacing
Missing teeth, tiny teeth, tongue pushing, and prolonged thumb sucking are some of the most common reasons for this malocclusion. Spacing problems can arise between two or more teeth, causing crowding and perhaps affecting the emergence of permanent teeth.
- Open bite
The front teeth do not overlap the lower teeth in an open bite. When the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap, an aperture forms that leads directly into the mouth. An anterior open bite is a type of open bite that affects the front teeth, but it can also affect the sides of the mouth.
- Overjet
An overjet occurs when the top teeth protrude horizontally past the bottom teeth. This protrusion might make it difficult to chew meals and talk clearly.
- Diastema
This is another word for the space that appears between two neighbouring teeth, and is more frequently known as “gap teeth.” The front two teeth are the most commonly affected.
- Impacted tooth
When a tooth is impacted, it is unable to emerge normally through the gum surface. Extraction or exposing it so that a brace may be placed to the surface are two options for treatment.
- Missing tooth
This disease, also known as hypodontia, can arise as a consequence of trauma or something as simple as incorrect tooth growth.
Diagnosing Malocclusion
During routine dental appointments, your dentist will check for malocclusion. Your youngster should see a dentist twice a year starting at the age of one. Dentists can then fix issues before they become too serious.
For a more thorough evaluation, your dentist may recommend you to an orthodontist. Before the age of seven, the American Association of Orthodontists advises that all children see an orthodontist.
During an examination, an orthodontist will:
- Enquire about your medical and dental history;
- examine your mouth and teeth;
- taking x-rays of your teeth and jaw; and
- make an impression model of your teeth.
Treatment Options for Malocclusion
The first diagnosis of malocclusion is generally made by a general dentist. Following that, they will advise their patients on what therapy strategy they believe is best for their situation. They may also send the patients to an expert who can investigate the problem further.
Braces or Invisalign: This treatment uses dental equipment to progressively reposition teeth in the jaw to improve their position. The amount of time it takes for a patient to receive the final findings varies. It will be determined by their circumstances and the severity of their dental issues.
Tooth extraction: This treatment allows the dentist to remove teeth that have become crowded. When performing orthodontic treatment, it may or may not be essential. During the consultation, the orthodontist will determine the necessity.
Cosmetic treatments such as reshaping, bonding, or crowns or veneers can assist realign teeth by altering their sizes and forms without the need for extractions or lengthy therapy. You can only fix the cosmetic look of your teeth with any of these restorative procedures, not their perfect alignment.
The goal of surgery is to remodel or realign the jaw. Orthodontic surgery is frequently used in combination with orthodontic therapy.
Malocclusion can be minor, moderate, or severe depending on the patient. The diseases might affect either the front or rear teeth, or both. Orthodontic therapy has evolved throughout time to address a variety of concerns related to tooth misalignment.
Clear plastic aligners, such as those made by Clear Correct or Invisalign, are now available to facilitate tooth movement. Many people are considering orthodontic treatment now that transparent aligners are available. However, how would we know which is the best choice?
In general, these distinctions can aid patients in determining which of the two will best suit their needs. This covers the mouth’s cost, thickness, and comfortability. Others may take into account the manufacturer’s skills and experience. In the end, the dentist or orthodontist will assist the patient in making a decision.
Having a healthy and beautiful smile is a need as well as necessity for everyone!!
