Crafting Confident Smiles by Treating Malocclusion

Crafting Confident Smiles by Treating Malocclusion

A proper harmony between your upper and lower dentition is crucial. This is essential for facial aesthetics and important functions like mastication and speech. Any discrepancy in the alignment of your teeth and bite can lead to malocclusion. It can cause several other dental problems if ignored. 

The family and cosmetic dentistry in Jackson Heights consists of experienced dental specialists. They offer a comprehensive approach towards malocclusion to enhance your oral and overall physical health as well. 

An insight into malocclusion

Teeth alignment is an essential part of a healthy oral cavity. How your upper and lower dentition occludes can favor factors like aesthetics, chewing, and speech. A dental problem characterized by an incorrect relationship between your maxilla (upper jaw) and the mandible (lower jaw) is known as “Malocclusion.” 

Contributing factors for malocclusion

Malocclusion can be hereditary (passed down through generations). However, you may suffer from it due to the following acquired causes as well: 

  • Loss of teeth
  • Prolonged use of a pacifier
  • Bottle feeding 
  • Thumb sucking
  • Cleft lip and palate
  • Injuries and trauma
  • Tumors and cysts
  • Impacted tooth 
  • Airway obstruction due to enlarged adenoids 

Classification of malocclusion 

Class I

  • The upper teeth overlap with the lower teeth. 
    • Type I: The teeth lean towards the tongue
    • Type II: The lower teeth are angled towards the tongue, and the upper teeth project out in narrow arches
    • Type III: The upper teeth are crowded and lean towards the tongue 

Class II

  • This is the same as class I but more severe and can alter your bite. 
    • Division I: The upper teeth lean toward the lips
    • Division II: The upper central incisors lean toward the tongue

Class III

  • It is a type of underbite where the lower teeth project out over the upper teeth
    • Type I: The teeth form an abnormally shaped arch
    • Type II: The lower front teeth are angled towards the tongue 
    • Type III: The upper arch is abnormal, and the upper teeth are angled toward the tongue

Clinical features of malocclusion

The following are the most striking features of malocclusion: 

  • Misaligned teeth 
  • Chewing and speech problems
  • Frequent tongue or cheek-biting
  • Increased susceptibility to tooth decay
  • Headaches and facial pain due to excess pressure on the TMJ 

Treating malocclusion

Dentists often treat malocclusion through specially designed dental appliances.  

Fixed multibracket braces: These are brackets fixed to the tooth surface and connected by an archwire. 

Removable devices: Retainers, palate expanders, and headgear are common examples. 

Invisalign: These are clear, flexible, and removable dental braces 

Final note 

Malocclusion is common, especially among children. It is essential to detect the cause and treat the condition on time to prevent complications like open bite, crossbite, or underbite.