Types of Malocclusion

Who doesn’t like a smile where all their teeth are perfectly aligned and look perfect? While this is natural for many, a lot of people struggle with misaligned teeth in various ways: a tooth is displaced, the front teeth are placed backwards, or one side of the jaw is placed differently than the other. In dental terms, this is malocclusion. Visit a dental specialist in Chennai, and book an appointment to know more about the condition.

What is occlusion and malocclusion?

In simple terms, occlusion refers to the relationship between the upper jaw, that is the maxillary jaw and the lower jaw. This is seen when your jaws are at rest or when you take a bite.

In some cases, this alignment is disturbed and this is known as malocclusion.

How do we classify malocclusions?

We classify and identify malocclusions in classes and types. Let us look into it in further detail:

What are the classes of malocclusion?

In general, there are 3 classes of malocclusion.

1. Class 1 – In this class, the maxillary teeth, or teeth on the upper jaw,  slightly overlap the teeth in the lower jaw. This is commonly seen as a normal bite.
2. Class 2 – In this class, the maxillary teeth completely overlap the teeth of the lower jaw. This is known as an overbite.
3. Class 3 – The situation where the mandibular jaw overlaps the upper teeth, is known as a class 3, or an underbite.

What are the types of malocclusion?

• Crossbite – In this condition, the maxillary teeth lie inside or behind the mandibular or lower jaw teeth on the closing of the jaw.
• Crowding of teeth – As the term suggests, in this condition, the teeth are crowded, or not properly spaced. Depending on the jaw where it occurs, it is known as maxillary crowding or mandibular crowding. This is the most common form of malocclusion and needs a longer time for treatment. Look for a Dental Specialist Near Me to get the best treatment.
• Spacing – This can occur due to missing teeth, rudimentary teeth or prolonged bad habits which affect the oral cavity, such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting.
• Diastema – When there is a gap or space seen between 2 teeth, it is known as a diastema. This most common is the midline diastema, seen in the front upper jaw.
• Impacted tooth – This happens only during the time of the eruption when the tooth is not able to come out from the gums. In most cases, it is extremely painful. In case of an emergency, you must visit the Best Dental Hospital Near Me.

Conclusion

Correction of malocclusion is a long-term process, which needs experts and the best dentist in Chennai. If the treatment plan is not followed correctly, it may affect the teeth and jaw adversely.

Request an appointment at Apollo Dental, Chennai Call 18001020288 to book an appointment.