What is Malocclusion?
The name for a bite is Occlusion. A misaligned bite is called a malocclusion. Several Orthodontic treatments can correct malocclusion by adjusting the jaw alignment.
Malocclusion can cause premature wear on your teeth, gum disease, dysfunctional chewing pattern. Malocclusion can cause TMJ disorders too. For some, it can also affect speech development and self-esteem. It is essential to consult with your dentist to determine which treatment is right for you.
Your dentist can accurately diagnose malocclusion. The dentist will recommend orthodontics or surgery, or a combination of both to correct the alignment and functioning of teeth and jaw.
What 5 Types of Malocclusions?
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Crossbite
Referred to as a crossbite when the upper front or side teeth are biting inside the lower teeth. This malocclusion should be correct with braces or retainers as soon as possible. However, when it involves multiple teeth, a palate expander may be necessary. Correcting a Crossbite is crucial because it can cause teeth to wear prematurely. This wearing contributes to the asymmetrical development of the jaws, affects chewing patterns, and leads to gum disease and bone loss. It is also unattractive and can result in self-esteem issues.
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Openbite
As the term suggests, an open bite is when the upper and lower teeth do not meet vertically; hence, there’s a free space in-between. This condition can make the back teeth wear prematurely, affect the chewing pattern, and contribute to TMJ disorder. Jaw surgery, jaw growth modification, and pushing out the front teeth will correct this malocclusion. Sucking fingers often causes an Openbite; avoiding these habits can lead to better results.
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Overbite
Excess growth of the upper teeth or when the overdevelopment of the supporting bone can create an Overbite. The overbite occurs when there is a vertical overlap of the upper and lower teeth. A deep bite is when a person bites down with the front teeth and covers over the lower teeth. Orthodontic treatment will correct this abnormality. When not corrected, this can lead to improper functioning of the teeth and periodontal disease because the lower teeth are always biting into the gum tissue of the palate.
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Overjet
Referred to as ‘buck teeth,’ an Overjet can be confused with an overbite. A molar misalignment, skeletal imbalance, with either crowded or missing teeth, is the cause of this malocclusion. Tongue thrust and thumb sucking can also aggravate the situation. An overjet can cause the improper functioning of the front teeth and cause the teeth to wear out prematurely.
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Underbite
Called an underbite when the lower teeth are biting into the front of the upper teeth. Missing teeth or flared lower incisors and tipped back upper incisors are the signs of the condition. For the jaw to function correctly, fix the underbite as early as possible. For the proper functioning of back and front teeth, treatment includes orthodontics, jaw surgery for adults (either to move the upper jaw backward or the lower jaw forward), or growth modification for children.