November 11, 2022
Teeth misalignment is one of the significant symptoms of malocclusion. Malocclusion is often referred to as a bad bite and is a major dental problem. It mainly occurs when you have crowded teeth, which means your teeth are oversized for your mouth. Don’t be afraid- Dentists have found our major treatment options to treat malocclusion so that you get back your properly aligned teeth and a lightning-bright smile.
What Causes Malocclusion?
Malocclusions refer to the misalignment of teeth, which eventually causes a series of problems. It is caused mainly because of the differences in the sizes of the upper and lower jaws. Malocclusions might occur in your childhood due to thumb sucking, which kind of hampers the expected growth of teeth. Apart from this, dentists have found the following causes to be prevalent among patients of malocclusion:
- Impacted teeth and atypically shaped teeth
- Cleft lip and palate
- Tumors in the mouth or jaw
- Allergies cause airway obstruction in enlarged tonsils
- Any physical injury that has resulted in jaw misalignment
Symptoms Of Malocclusion
Some of the common symptoms of malocclusion include the presence of improper teeth alignment. On the other hand, if you observe noticeable changes in your facial appearance, it might be because of overcrowded or crooked teeth. In addition, you might experience discomfort while chewing your food. Apart from this, if you find yourself frequently biting your tongue or upper cheek, you are more likely to be prone to malocclusion. After considering these potential symptoms, you must meet your dentist and schedule an appointment as soon as you find these prevalent symptoms. If not treated on time, you might experience several oral health issues.
What Are The Types Of Malocclusion?
- Class 1 Malocclusion is the most common malocclusion, which occurs if you have overcrowded teeth.
- Class 2 Malocclusion: This includes severe overlapping of the upper jaw and teeth and is also known as an overbite.
- Class 3 Malocclusion: In this type, you might find your lower jaw more prominent than the upper jaw, which largely causes the lower jaw’s visibility.
Malocclusion Treatment
Since malocclusions cause teeth misalignment, it is crucial to ensure how the condition can be treated. The following treatment options are most common for treating malocclusions:
- Braces: It happens when brakes are attached to each tooth. It applies pressure on your teeth, thereby making them aligned.
- Invisalign: It’s the braces of the future, with visible aligners. Using this won’t affect your smile and is quite effective for aligning your teeth.
- Tooth extraction: Sometimes, tooth extraction becomes the last resort in severely crooked teeth. Your dentist extracts one or more teeth to align or fort braces onto your teeth.
The Final Verdict
Malocclusion can be treated with the help of potential treatment options. If not treated on time, it can cause several problems. Treatment for malocclusion depends on the severity of the problem. In some cases, braces may be necessary to align the teeth. In other cases, surgery may be required to correct the alignment of the jaws. If you think you may have malocclusion, you must see a dentist or orthodontist for an evaluation.