Everything you need to know about dental malocclusion
Malocclusion of the teeth is called the problems related to the lack of coordination and misalignment of the teeth. Malocclusion can lead to serious complications in oral and dental health.
Some of the most common dental problems and abnormalities are:
- Crowding or crowding of teeth
- Cross bite
- overbyte
- underbite
- Open Bite
When the teeth are in a position other than normal, they cannot perform their function and role properly. Therefore, it is necessary to learn more about this problem and how to treat it in order to protect your overall oral health.
What is occlusion?
Occlusion is a term that refers to the alignment of teeth together in a natural position. Ideally, your teeth should fit comfortably together without any crowding, misalignment, spacing, or rotation. In addition, your upper and front teeth should naturally be slightly ahead of your lower teeth. And they cover some of the teeth of the lower jaw. When you close your mouth, the teeth of both jaws should fit together without any problem or pressure. Any condition other than this is called malocclusion.
What factors cause malocclusion?
Malocclusion is usually an inherited condition. This means that it can be passed down from generation to generation. But other factors can also be involved in the formation of this situation. There are usually some conditions or habits that may change the shape and structure of the jaw. Some of these conditions include:
- Cleft lip and palate
- Frequent use of pacifiers after the age of 3 years
- Long-term use of milk bottles
- Thumb sucking in early childhood
- Trauma to the face and jaw
- Oral or jaw tumors
- The growth and development of abnormal teeth with strange or damaged shapes
- Poor dental care
- Airway obstruction
What are the symptoms of malocclusion?
Depending on the classification of malocclusion, the symptoms of this disorder may be subtle and limited or severe. Common symptoms of malocclusion include:
- Misalignment and misalignment of teeth
- Change in facial appearance
- Biting or repeatedly biting the inner part of the lips or lips
- Discomfort when chewing or biting food
- Speech problems, including whistling while speaking
- Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose
Diagnosis and classification of malocclusion
Dental malocclusion is usually diagnosed through routine dental examinations. The dentist examines your teeth and may look at the alignment of your teeth with the help of X-rays to know the level and severity of your problem. If malocclusion is diagnosed, the orthodontist first determines its type, then determines its severity or class.
Class 1
When a person’s upper teeth are slightly more forward than the lower teeth, it means that the person has a class 1 occlusion. Most people with malocclusion fall into this category.
Class 2
If a person has a severe overbite, it is placed in class 2. In dental terms, this condition is called retrognathism. This means that the upper jaw and its teeth are far ahead of the lower jaw and lower teeth.
Class 3
When a person has a severe underbite, it is classified as Class 3. In this condition, the lower jaw protrudes more than usual. This state is also called prognathism. In the third class, it can be seen that the teeth of the lower jaw are ahead of the teeth of the upper jaw.
How is a malocclusion of the teeth treated?
Most people with mild malocclusion do not need treatment. However, if your malocclusion is severe, your general dentist may refer you to an orthodontist. Depending on the type of malocclusion you have, your orthodontist may recommend different treatments. Some treatments for this abnormal condition can include the following:
- Braces to correct the position of teeth
- Tooth extraction to correct crowding or crowded teeth
- Changes in the shape or position of the teeth
- Surgery to reshape or shorten the jaw
- Using wires or plates to stabilize the position of the jaw bone
Doing treatment to repair or eliminate disharmony can involve complications for a person. Some of these complications include:
- Tooth Decay
- Pain or discomfort
- Mouth burning caused by the use of appliances such as braces
- Difficulty chewing or speaking
How to prevent malocclusion?
Preventing this disorder can be difficult. Because most cases of malocclusion are hereditary. Parents of young children should limit their children’s use of pacifiers and bottles to help reduce changes in jaw development. Early diagnosis of malocclusion may help reduce treatment time and correct the problem.
Vision
Proper treatment of misaligned teeth in children and adults usually leads to correcting the problem. Early treatment in childhood reduces the duration of treatment and also lowers treatment costs to a great extent.
Treatment for adults can also bring good results. However, treatment for adults will generally be longer and the final costs will be much higher. The sooner this problem is treated, the better the results will be.
