Malocclusion: Causes and Treatments to Correct it

Malocclusion: Causes and Treatments to correct it

 

 

When we speak of dental malocclusion, we refer to an incorrect fit of the upper and lower jaw and/or when the dentition is not well aligned.

It also refers to the position that the dentofacial structures acquire in their morphological, functional and esthetic facets.

Therefore, it is not only a merely esthetic issue, although it is usually considered as such, but it also affects the bite.

There are different types of malocclusion, each with its own characteristics and specific treatments, although in all cases they should be treated during childhood.

 

 

Causes of malocclusion

 

There are numerous factors that influence the development of a malocclusion or bad bite.

We are talking about hereditary causes, congenital defects or even habits acquired in the first stage of life.

• Size differences

There are cases in which there is a difference between the size of the upper and lower jaw, or a difference between the size of the arch and the teeth.

These patients tend to have crowding, tooth spacing and/or an irregular bite.

• Childhood habits

Certain poor childhood dental habits can lead to malocclusion, such as thumb sucking or pushing teeth with the tongue.

• Tooth loss

Missing teeth not only damage the integrity of the dental bone, but also lead to the malposition of adjacent teeth.

They tend to move to try to fill the space of the arch, modifying the bite and preventing the correct fit.

• Severe dental trauma

A hit or fracture of the jaw can also produce a dental malocclusion.

 

How can malocclusions be divided?

 

There are different types of malocclusions, which are classified into three main groups depending on where they occur.

 

Malocclusion in the vertical plane

 

The correct bite implies that one third of the upper arch overlaps the lower arch.

When this does not occur, there are two possible malocclusions:

• Open bite: there is no overlap of the teeth in the vertical plane.
• Overbite: the teeth of the upper arch overlap the lower teeth by more than one third.

In severe cases, the upper teeth can cover 100% of the lower teeth, even biting the palate.

 

You will be interested » How to correct a class III malocclusion with orthodontics

 

Malocclusions in the transverse plane

 

• Crossbite: occurs when the upper arch is placed inside the lower arch and may be due to skeletal or dental causes.
• Scissor bite: the upper arch protrudes more than it should in the transverse plane, so the cusps do not contact.

 

During the growing age it is possible to guide the correct development of the bones, so it is easier to solve any malocclusion.

 

Malocclusions in the anteroposterior plane.

 

They are classified into three types:

• Class I: this is what is considered the normal and correct bite. It occurs when the upper canine is placed behind the lower canine.
• Class II: the upper arch is advanced with respect to the lower arch at the canine and molar level, generating an increased overjet (the distance between the upper teeth and the lower teeth is more than 1-2 millimeters).
• Class III: the lower arch is advanced with respect to the upper arch due to skeletal or dental causes, resulting in an inverted overjet.

In addition to the types of malocclusion described here, there is also a type of bite that occurs in any of the three previous planes: dental asymmetries.

They are identified because the midlines and/or dental arches deviate for dental or skeletal reasons.

Class III
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DENTAL MALOCCLUSION

 

Treatments to correct malocclusions in childhood

 

As we mentioned at the beginning, it is advisable to treat malocclusion problems during childhood, especially those of skeletal origin.

This is because, until approximately 11 or 12 years of age, bone development is not yet complete, so it is possible to guide its growth.

Interceptive orthodontics is the ideal treatment to correct malocclusions in children, accompanied by its subsequent retention system.

Below is a video in which Dr. Becerril explains the different types of malocclusion and their corresponding treatment at an early age:

 

DR. BECERRIL VIDEO

 

As you can see, treatment is simpler if it is approached during childhood, when the maxillary and mandibular growth phase is still in progress.

 

The first visit to the orthodontist

It is recommended that the first visit to an orthodontist should be at the age of 6.

 

Depending on which malocclusion the orthodontist detects, he or she will prescribe treatment with one dental appliance or another, the duration of which varies according to the severity of each case.

 

I am an adult, how can I correct my malocclusion?

 

As for adults, in the vast majority of cases, malocclusion can be corrected with orthodontic treatment.

Sometimes, it is possible to combine this process with tooth extractions or techniques such as stripping, thanks to which the necessary space in the mouth is obtained.

On the other hand, the treatment is not so simple in very severe cases or when the patient suffers from complexes and discomfort that prevent him/her from leading a normal life.

In these situations, orthodontic treatment is combined with orthognathic surgery.

Thus, it is possible to modify the size or position of the maxillary bones that have already completed their growth and, with dental braces, to align the teeth properly.

Therefore, it is an intervention aimed at correcting the bite, but also to obtain a more harmonious face that meets the expectations of the person.

 

CORRECT YOUR MALOCCLUSION

 

And you, when are you going to correct your malocclusion?

The early detection of a bad bite facilitates the diagnosis and allows its correction in a faster and cheaper way.

Therefore, it is important to detect them at an early age.

 

Consequences of a bad bite

 

The consequences of a malocclusion are numerous, some of them of great importance for day-to-day life:

• Jaw function.

An incorrect occlusion does not allow proper chewing of food. Since there is no adequate contact between the upper and lower teeth.

This is why patients who suffer from it usually have digestive problems.

• Dental crowding

Crowded teeth favor the accumulation of food debris in the interdental spaces.

Moreover, as their position makes proper hygiene difficult, these patients will be more prone to develop caries and periodontal diseases.

• Bruxism

Malocclusion often causes the person to grind or clench the teeth abnormally, which leads to tooth wear.

• Respiratory problems

Severe skeletal malocclusions, where there is an alteration in the size and position of the jaws, can lead to respiratory problems during sleep: snoring, sleep apnea…

Likewise, the excessive growth of the upper jaw makes the patient unable to close the lips without some effort.

• Speech complications

Some malocclusions cause certain speech difficulties, which may be accompanied by joint pain in the mouth or problems in the temporomandibular joint.

• Aesthetic problems

The incorrect position of the jaws in cases of malocclusion causes asymmetries and unharmonious faces.

This is why they also generate psychological problems and complexes in the patient.

Now that you know how to identify bite problems and the best way to correct them, it is time to achieve your ideal smile.

If you or someone in your family has a dental malocclusion, we advise you to put yourself in the hands of an experienced orthodontist.

 

 

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