Malocclusion and Orthodontics

Malocclusion is a dental problem formed due to a misaligned jaw and teeth, leading to oral health complications. People rarely have correctly aligned teeth but crooked, crowder, or protruding teeth. Several people suffer from a “bad bite” problem, where the upper teeth line does not align with the lower teeth line.

Due to Malocclusions, one might find it difficult to chew food, bite, and speak. There are various forms of Malocclusions. Let us discuss the types of Malocclusions and their orthodontic treatment options.

What causes Malocclusions?

Malocclusions are mainly caused due to differences between the size of the jaw and the size of the teeth. If the jaw is smaller and the teeth are more prominent, it causes overcrowding. An enormous jaw with comparatively smaller teeth also causes the teeth to move away, causing space.

In children, thumb-sucking, extensive use of pacifiers, and early tooth loss cause Malocclusion. It is also caused due to unknown congenital reasons.

What are the types of Malocclusions?

• Overcrowding: Due to lack of space, teeth overcrowding or overlapping happens and leads to crooked teeth.
• Spacing: Inadequate or over spacing disrupts the eruption of permanent teeth and causes misalignment.
• Open bite: An opening is formed by the non-alignment of the upper jawline and lower jawline. The space is generated either in the front or the sides of the mouth.
• Overbite: Due to misalignment, the upper front teeth might cut into the lower gums, and the lower front teeth cut into the upper mouth roof.
• Underbite: Also known as the Anterior Crossbite, it happens due to a protruding lower jaw remaining forward than the upper jaw.
• Overjet: The person suffers from chewing and biting due to protruding the upper jaw far horizontally than the lower jaw.
• Crossbite: Due to the upper front teeth cutting straight into the lower front teeth, there can be crossbites on either side of the jaw.
• Diastema: When two adjacent teeth have too much space between them, it causes Diastema. It usually occurs in the front teeth.
• Impacted tooth: When a tooth cannot naturally erupt, it needs extraction and additional bracings.
• Missing tooth: Happened either due to an accidentally missing tooth or an early tooth fall.

Who is an orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a specialised dentist who diagnoses, prevents, and treats misaligned jaw and teeth irregularities. They identify oral problems in children and adults, and take preventive measures to avoid future problems.

Orthodontists use a variety of appliances like braces, space maintainers, retainers, and bands to treat the misalignment.

What are the various orthodontic treatment options for Malocclusions?

When permanent teeth erupt, children develop a lot of misalignment issues. Your orthodontist might suggest various functional appliances for easy jaw movement during rapid growth. Further, your orthodontist might suggest follow-up treatment with the below-mentioned appliances.

• Braces: Braces made of metal or ceramics, based on the severity of the problem, are used to correct the misalignment in children and teenagers. Depending on your teeth placement, you might need a tooth extraction before braces.
• Retainers: After wearing braces, your orthodontist will use various removable tools like retainers to retain the corrected teeth alignment. They are custom-made and removable, hence very convenient.
• Invisalign: Invisalign, as the name suggests, is invisible and helps to align your teeth and jawline. They are custom-made plastic trays that pressurise the teeth and jaws and cause proper alignment. The Invisalign is removable. These appliances can correct any form of Malocclusions if you have to wear them for 20 to 22 hours per day.

What are the benefits of orthodontic treatment?

• If jawline alignment problems are detected early, orthodontists can provide corrective treatment to avoid further problems.
• Treating the Malocclusions is necessary for the overall good health of children.
• Orthodontic treatment is necessary to avoid gum, chewing, and biting problems.
• If left untreated, Malocclusion might lead to future bone destruction.
• Crooked and overcrowded teeth can lead to tooth decay and future oral problems.
• Improve facial aesthetics and appearance.

What is to keep in mind after the treatment?

• Correcting Malocclusions can take two or more years.
• Orthodontic treatment can take longer for an adult whose jaw growth has stopped.
• If conventional orthodontic treatment does not solve your problem, your orthodontist might prescribe surgery.

Conclusion

Malocclusion is a widespread problem, and the treatment will be more effective when detected earlier. Orthodontic treatment is a must to treat Malocclusions and increase your living standards. The treatment will improve your oral and overall health. If you have symptoms of Malocclusion, then visit the best dental hospital/clinic in Pune.

Consult our best Orthodontist by Calling 1800 1020 288 Or book an appointment