Class 2 malocclusion: How to correct with orthodontics?
Class II is a type of malocclusion that causes serious bite functionality problems and affects the aesthetics of the person.
It is possible to correct the jaw through orthodontic treatment when maxillary and mandibular development is not yet complete.
During adulthood, it can be more complicated to solve, although there are techniques to restore harmony to the teeth and face.
We tell you everything you need to know about Class II.
This is what normal occlusion looks like
Before talking about class II, it is important to know what is considered a correct occlusion.
We are talking about a pattern that serves as an optimal reference when talking about the bite, as it is the most appropriate for the teeth to be preserved in good condition for many years.
This occlusion is called Class I and allows the person to satisfactorily fulfill his or her masticatory functions.
We can identify class I if we observe that the lower tusk is located, with the denture closed, between 3 and 4 millimeters in front of the upper tusk.
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What is class II malocclusion?
Also called retrognathia, we say that a person has class II malocclusion when the upper arch is more advanced than the lower arch.
Patients with this type of malocclusion cannot bite correctly because their arches are more than 1 or 2 millimeters apart.
Before and after
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CLASS II
It is common to feel that it is difficult to bite a snack or cut a string, since the upper teeth do not contact the lower teeth.
The displacement of the arches caused by class II can also be accompanied by dental crowding, with separated teeth, high fangs?
These malpositions of the dental pieces depend on the patient’s own oral condition, in addition to his or her facial and skeletal characteristics.
Class II can be classified into:
Division 1
The person who presents retrognathia division 1 has his upper incisors too much inclined towards the vestibular -external- area of the oral cavity.
These patients may present, in some cases, overbite or open bite.
Division 2
In class II division 2 both the central and lateral incisors of the upper arch tend to lean outward.
Depending on the situation, it is possible to find them with an inclination towards the palate while the canines are located in the vestibular area.
Class II malocclusion can be corrected by interceptive removable orthodontics if the patient has not completed its development.
Types of retrognathia according to its origin
The origin of the class II and the age of the person are the two determining factors when opting for one treatment or another.
Hence the fact that it is essential to know exactly what is the cause that has originated the retrognathia.
Specifically, it can be found in the maxillary bones, in the teeth or in both:
The teeth of the upper arch are more protruded than normal and fan forward.
The maxillary bone or the upper arch is in a more forward position than the mandible.
The position of the jaw is further back or smaller than normal, so there is a lot of distance between the top and the bottom.
Interceptive orthodontics
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BEFORE AND AFTER
Orthodontics as a solution to class 2 malocclusion
Orthodontics is the treatment indicated to restore functionality to the jaws of those patients with retrognathia.
Orthodontics for children and adults
In the case of patients who are of developmental age, the indicated treatment is the placement of interceptive dental orthodontics.
Thus, if the class II is due to a small jaw or a maxilla that has grown too much, it is necessary to regulate this abnormal growth.
For this purpose, the dentist has different types of removable appliances available, depending on the needs of the child:
Extraoral anchorage
If the origin of the retrognathia is in the maxillary bone, the malocclusion can be solved with this appliance.
It is a facebow that slows growth by being anchored to the neck.
Herbst appliance
Its mission is to minimize the distance between the mandible and the maxilla when the child is at the end of the growth stage.
Bionator
Its use is indicated for children between 8 and 11 years of age when their jaw has not developed as much as it should.
Generally, treatments using interceptive removable orthodontics usually have a duration of one year, although it is necessary to evaluate each case individually.
Bionator
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BIONATOR
On the other hand, if we find an adult whose maxillary and mandibular development has been adequate, it is also possible to correct Class II with orthodontics.
In this case, the cause of retrognathia is in the dental position: the upper teeth are more advanced than the lower ones.
Through maxillary elastics or an extraction treatment – in which two upper premolars are removed – it is possible to move the teeth back and close spaces.
The treatment plan will depend on what the orthodontist determines after an esthetic and functional analysis.
The patient can choose the type of orthodontics he/she prefers: metal brackets, clear aligners (such as Invisalign), lingual orthodontics…
It’s not just aesthetics
If you are an adult and you have this malocclusion, visit your dentist so that you can recover the functionality of your mouth.
Orthognathic surgery and braces
The treatment becomes more complicated when development has been completed and the bony bases have not been corrected in time.
Thus, an adult can resort to orthognathic surgery to correct the size and position of their bones.
At DrAW Dental Clinic we have an orthodontist specialized in this type of surgery: Dr. Alberto Wintergerst.
In addition to her, Dr. Daniel Hernandez and Dr. Ximena Avila will be in charge of informing you about the most appropriate treatment.
Through an individualized planning, the procedure that restores functionality and aesthetics to your smile will be implemented.
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