Causes and signals of malocclusion
The main reason is the difference in the size of the lower and upper jaws. The patient may have too much or not enough space for the teeth on top or bottom. This leads to the appearance of extra space around the teeth or crowding of teeth due to lack of space.
In addition, if there was prolonged use of a pacifier, milk bottles or the habit of sucking a thumb in infancy, this could lead to deformation of the dentition.
Symptoms of malocclusion
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Asymmetry of facial features.
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The dentition is irregularly arranged in an arc.
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The teeth do not converge into complete occlusion when the jaws close.
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Speech defects, including lisp.
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Breathing through the mouth, not through the nose.
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The upper teeth protrude significantly above the lower ones.
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The upper and lower teeth do not touch when chewing, forming a significant gap.
What are the types of malocclusion?
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Deep: The upper dentition noticeably overlaps the lower one (by more than half).
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Open: The upper and lower dental units do not touch when the jaws close.
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Cross-section: One or more upper dental units are located behind the lower ones when the jaws close.
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Distal: The lower jaw is pushed forward.
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Mesial: The upper jaw is pushed forward.
Do not diagnose yourself. Come for a diagnosis by experienced dentists at Olympus Clinics. They will ask about concerns, conduct a thorough physical examination of the oral cavity, take an X-ray, create an impression for a more accurate assessment of the bite and draw up a treatment plan.
How to prevent pathology?
If your family members have jaw closure defects, then you should take your child to the dentist more often to identify any problems at an early stage. Treatment helps children and adolescents best, since their bones are still soft and their teeth move more easily. When children develop dentition, they go through a period of mixed bite, that is, some of their dental units are permanent, and some are waiting for loss. This can make it difficult to detect pathology. Undergo regular dental checkups at Olympus Clinics so that doctors monitor the proper development of the child's jaws.
Giving up the habit of sucking your thumb at an early age can reduce the risk of a violation of the position of the dentition. Gradual weaning from the nipple is also a method of prevention.
Correction options at Olympus Clinics
We offer several procedures for correcting occlusion in both mild and complex disorders. Orthodontic treatment may include:
Aligners: transparent mouthguards that are invisible on the teeth, not felt in the oral cavity. Aligners gently align the dentition, suitable for the elimination of milder orthodontic disorders.
Braces: American-made metal and ceramic braces. You will need to visit our orthodontists regularly for correction, tracking progress. Braces are usually fixed on the outside of the teeth, but they can also be placed on the back if you want them to be invisible.
Surgical intervention: sometimes corrective surgery on the jaw (orthognathic surgery) may be required to change the shape of the jaw in order to lengthen or shorten it.
