Malocclusion is a medical term to describe the position or arrangement of teeth and jaws that are not normal. If it upsets the appearance or interferes with daily activities, this condition can be overcome by installing braces or surgery.
Mild malocclusion does not require any treatment. However, in severe malocclusions, the inner cheeks, gums, or tongue are often bitten accidentally. Even in certain cases, malocclusion also makes it difficult for the sufferer to speak and causes discomfort when chewing.
Causes of Malocclusion
Malocclusion is generally genetic, meaning that this condition can be passed on from parents to children. However, there are some small time habits that can change the structure of the jaw and cause malocclusion. Some of these habits are:- Use a pacifier or suckle with a bottle until the age of 3 years.
- Frequent thumb sucking.
- Inappropriate dental care.
- Excessive number of teeth, abnormally shaped teeth, or tooth loss.
- Injury to the teeth or jaw.
- Oral tumor.
- Cleft lip or cleft in the palate.
Types of malocclusion
The dentist will examine the condition of the teeth and perform additional examinations, such as making dental prints and dental X-rays, to determine whether your teeth are aligned or not. If it is not aligned, malocclusion will be classified according to type and severity. Based on the type, malocclusion can be divided into 3 major classes, namely:Class 1
The most common type of malocclusion. This condition is characterized by upper teeth overlapping the lower teeth.Grade 2
This type of malocclusion is also called overbite, retrognathism, or stubborn. Torn teeth is a condition in which the teeth and upper jaw are significantly more advanced than the jaw and lower teeth.Grade 3
In this malocclusion, the lower jaw moves forward to make the lower teeth more advanced than the teeth and upper jaw. In Indonesia, this condition is known as 'cameh'. But medically, class 3 malocclusion is called underbite or prognathism. Class 1 malocclusion usually does not cause complaints. However, if conditions are severe, dental malocclusion or uneven arrangement of teeth can cause discomfort when biting or chewing food, the face looks less symmetrical, tends to breathe through the mouth, and often bites the tongue or cheeks on the inside.How to Treat Malocclusion
Malocclusions that are classified as mild usually do not require special treatment. Handling is more often done when the malocclusion is severe and causes disturbances, such as difficulty in speaking or chewing food. The doctor will choose the method of treatment according to the type of malocclusion suffered. Some methods that can be used are:- Installation of wire or special plates to strengthen or stabilize the jawbone.
- Extraction of certain teeth to improve the position of teeth that are too crowded.
- Dental crowns.
- Surgery to shorten or improve the shape of the jawbone.
- Braces installation.
Comments
Post a Comment