{"id":198,"date":"2019-09-26T12:58:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-26T12:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chatfieldbraces.co.uk\/?post_type=blog&p=198"},"modified":"2021-06-20T14:53:42","modified_gmt":"2021-06-20T14:53:42","slug":"types-of-malocclusion-and-how-to-fix-them","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.chatfieldbraces.co.uk\/blog\/types-of-malocclusion-and-how-to-fix-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of Malocclusion, and How to fix Them!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\u2018Malocclusion\u2019 simply means a misaligned bite. One or multiple crooked teeth can mean the lower and upper teeth do not come together in a normal position, affecting appearance, your ability to eat, talk, and smile confidently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luckily, there are several treatments which can help in the realignment of your teeth to a healthier and better position. In this guide, we will explain the various types of malocclusion, what causes them, and how you can fix crooked teeth by making use of veneers, braces, and other treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malocclusion of the teeth can occur due to a variety of causes. Sometimes, itis simply genetic, but some particular habits or behaviours can also cause teeth to become crooked. Here are some common causes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Baby teeth which become crooked should not initially be a cause of concern. There are several factors which can cause this, and they do not mean the permanent adult teeth will be the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A baby\u2019s teeth may grow in a crooked form because they inherited large teeth from one parent, and a small jaw from the other. This can result in overcrowding, and it is likely they will require orthodontic work at some point. However, if there are gaps between the baby\u2019s teeth, this is usually a good indicator that they will not suffer from issues like overcrowding once they have permanent teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When teeth are crooked, they are more difficult to clean compared to straight teeth, so you will need to pay close attention to your child\u2019s oral hygiene. This includes brushing for the required time, twice daily, using a fluoride toothpaste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You need to begin visiting a dentist with your child the moment their first tooth comes out. This allows the dentist to properly monitor their teeth development and growth, meaning any issues such as malocclusion can be spotted quickly. It also makes your child get comfortable with going to the dentist regularly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not worry if your child\u2019s permanent teeth emerge in a crooked form; they may straighten themselves as they sense space for growth. Nevertheless, it is a good thing for you to take your child for dental check-ups on a regular basis. If the dentist believes that your child needs braces, they will refer you to a specialist orthodontist for more assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several adults live their daily lives with crooked teeth and think nothing of it. Unless it affects your speech, eating, or is causing you to feel self-conscious about your appearance, there is usually no need to undergo orthodontic treatment. It is a very personal decision and depends on your own feelings and approach. In this age of social media and the importance of a polished image, it is increasingly common for adults to have orthodontic treatment for cosmetic reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Orthodontists make use of the classifications below to talk about malocclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Normal occlusion<\/strong>: The lower and upper first molars join together normally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Class 1 malocclusion<\/strong>: The lower and upper first molars join together normally, but the other teeth have some sort of crowding and other irregularities which include rotation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Class 2 malocclusion<\/strong>: The position of the upper first molar is too far forward from the lower first molar. This results in an overbite.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Class 3 malocclusion<\/strong>: The position of the upper first molar is too far back from the lower first molar. This results in an underbite<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not worry if these are a little bit hard to understand. Below are other ways to categorise crooked teeth and malocclusion in layman\u2019s terms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where the upper teeth sit on the lower teeth. This may just affect one tooth or a whole row of teeth in any part of the mouth. If there is a misalignment in the jaw, surgery may be required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where the lower front teeth extend out more than the upper front teeth. About 5-10% of people have an underbite, and it is normally recommended that you correct it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where the upper front teeth overlap the bottom front teeth too much horizontally (deep bite) or also when they come out too far vertically (overjet). This is a relatively normal issue which can occur and is usually correctable with braces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With an open bite, there is a gap between the lower and upper front teeth, but the back teeth still touch while biting. This is normally caused by habits such as tongue thrusting and thumb sucking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if teeth seem to emerge well- aligned, there may be some gaps between the teeth which are noticeable. \u201cDiastema\u201d is the technical term used to denote the gap between two teeth. It mostly happens between the two top teeth at the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When there are larger gaps between the teeth, food may get stuck. Without proper oral hygiene, this can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. People also have treatments for noticeable diastema for cosmetic reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a major cause of crooked teeth. If there is not enough space in the jaw for the teeth to grow in their proper place, they may end up overlapping and rotating. It can happen in either jaw, so there may be crooked top or bottom teeth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, it may be necessary to remove one or more teeth in order to provide enough space for teeth to develop and align themselves properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common treatment used to correct crooked teeth is braces. They come in different styles, but in general, they work by slowly moving the teeth into a perfect alignment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When using braces to treat crooked teeth, it usually takes between twelve to eighteen months to achieve the final result. In more complex cases, however, treatment may take a little longer. Some teeth may need to be filed down to make more spaces at the edges, or between teeth. This enhances the position of each tooth and gives optimal overall alignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you only have a slightly crooked tooth, or only your front teeth need to be straightened, treatment may be considerably simpler, cheaper and faster. Some brands of braces are specifically designed to treat only front crooked teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nevertheless, if your malocclusion is more complex because you have a misaligned jaw, it is possible you may require surgery in order to enhance the effectiveness of treatment with braces. This will ultimately ensure the longevity of any orthodontic treatment because the underlying issue will be fixed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you would prefer to avoid using braces, you may be able to use removable aligners. This includes the famous brand Invisalign. In this treatment, teeth that are crooked can be repositioned into proper alignment very discreetly. Clear plastic aligners are used as an alternative to conventional braces. These retainers can also be removed for eating and drinking each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is easy and straightforward to check if you are a good candidate for treatment with Invisalign clear aligners. On Invisalign\u2019s website, you can take a free assessment and submit your information, and you will receive a response in just a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCrossbite<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Underbite<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Overbite\/overjet\/deep bite<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Open bite<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Gaps between teeth<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Overcrowding<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How can crooked teeth be fixed?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Can I fix crooked teeth without using braces?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n