A beautiful smile is something that everyone wants.
However, various dental conditions can complicate having the
perfect smile. Malocclusion is one such condition that can affect your teeth' function and appearance. A healthy mouth starts from the inside
out – with your teeth. Since malocclusion directly affects your teeth, it can
also affect your oral health.
What is Malocclusion?
Malocclusion is a bite that doesn’t align properly from
front to back. It's often characterized as having crooked teeth or a poor bite.
In general, there are three types of malocclusion:
underbite, overbite, and crossbite.
- Openbite: An open bite is a
malocclusion where the top teeth and bottom teeth do not come together or bite
in the correct position and also called an underbite. Openbite is considered one
of the more severe forms of malocclusion because it can lead to significant
decay, eating and chewing difficulties, mouth breathing, speech issues, and
sleep apnea. In addition, an open bite can also lead to gum disease and TMJ
problems.
- Overbite: An overbite is a too-large overlap between the
top teeth and the bottom teeth. A proper bite requires a small overbite –
generally 1 to 2 mm. An overbite is
also a serious form of malocclusion because it can lead to wear and tear and
decay on the upper front teeth due to their extended length. In addition, an overbite can cause TMJ
problems.
- Crossbite: occurs when both the
upper and lower jaws shift too far in one direction or another. This causes the
teeth to meet at an abnormal angle, and it can cause significant damage because
of this. In addition, crossbites often lead to TMJ problems.
In addition to types of malocclusion, your dentist will
also diagnose malocclusion as being class I, II, or III. These different
classes of malocclusion are as follows:
- Class I: A class I malocclusion
means that the molar position, or bite, is normal, but there are other teeth
that are misaligned in some way.
- Class II: Classified by a
severe overbite that causes the upper teeth to drastically overlap the lower
teeth, possibly due to a small lower jaw.
- Class
III: Classified
by a severe underbite that causes the lower teeth to overlap the upper teeth,
possibly due to a large lower jaw.
How does malocclusion affect
oral health?
As we stated before, malocclusion can take on different
forms, and each form can cause its own set of problems. In general, however,
malocclusion can lead to:
- Sensitivity on the teeth caused by enamel wears due to
their abnormal alignment
- Decay on the teeth due to damaged and/or worn enamel, as
well as bacterial accumulations on overlapping teeth
- Gum disease, as bacteria can easily accumulate in the
crevices between teeth that are not properly aligned
- TMJ problems due to increased jaw stress, which can cause
pain in the jaw, headaches, and other issues
Treating Malocclusion
Orthodontic treatment, like aligners, is used to correct
malocclusion concerns. You’ll have to see the best orthodontist in Gujarat or the best aligner expert specializing in
alignment techniques to move your teeth safely and effectively. Orthodontic
treatment often includes:
- Braces or other aligners
- Removing teeth in the case of crowding
- Surgery to correct severe jaw alignment concerns
- Use of retainers following treatment to maintain your new
tooth alignment
Overall malocclusion is a very common problem,
characterized by an improperly aligned bite that can cause a variety of oral
health problems. There are different types and classes of malocclusion, all of
which can affect your oral health in specific ways. If you are not happy with
your smile because of malocclusion, it is important to visit a dentist.
