What does the aesthetics of a smile refer to? In addition to the color of the teeth and the health of the gums, we must not forget to have a correct occlusion. The bite, known as dental occlusion, refers to the alignment of the teeth or, in other words, the relationship established between the upper and lower teeth. Conversely, the causes of a malocclusion may have certain consequences for the development of the teeth, jaw, and even the face, explains the best dentist in Delhi.
Correct Dental Occlusion
A perfect dental occlusion is said to be very difficult to find. We can say that a dental occlusion is optimal when the molars and premolars of both arches have perfect contact with each other when the mouth is closed, and the upper incisors cover the lower ones, supporting each other properly, says the dentist in Delhi.
The malocclusion (or abnormal bite), on the other hand, appears when for one reason or another, it does not respect that contact. It is enough that a single tooth is not in correct relationship with those around it to reach malocclusion.
Causes of Dental Malocclusion
The causes of dental malocclusion can be divided into general and local causes.
General causes
General causes include:
- Hereditary causes (such as the shape of the jaws)
- Genetic syndromes (e.g. Down syndrome, Turner etc.)
Local causes
The local causes are many and depend on a variety of factors.
- One of them could be the disproportion between the size of the maxilla and the teeth.
That is, if a child's jaw is very small, his teeth may become crowded. An example of this would be when the extraction of a baby tooth (caused by caries or trauma) at the dental clinic in Rani Bagh, and the neighboring teeth take their place. Later when that permanent tooth comes out it won't have enough space.
- Another possible cause could be the disproportion between the maxilla and mandible.
If the maxilla is larger than the jaw, the upper teeth may grow larger than the lower teeth, leading to an overbite. Otherwise, when the jaw is larger, the lower teeth cover the upper teeth, which is called the anterior crossbite.
- Other causes
Other factors that lead to malocclusion are the habit of sucking, whether during prolonged breastfeeding, of the finger, tongue, lip or pacifier and also bruxism.
The mouth breathing associated with adenotonsillar hypertrophy or allergic rhinitis can also be causes of malocclusion, explains the dentist in Rani Bagh.
Symptoms and Signs of Malocclusion
The most typical signs of malocclusion are mainly aesthetic due to dental crowding or an abnormal bite (upper or lower overbite) with visible consequences on the face.
On the other hand, mild malocclusions do not produce any type of symptoms. However, the bass can affect bite, chewing, speech, or eating problems, says the dentist in Saraswati Vihar.
Consequences of Malocclusion
Although a large number of malocclusions do not seriously affect health, they should be treated during adolescence so as not to distort the appearance of the teeth and the shape of the face in the future. We are not only talking about functional but also aesthetic consequences that could lead to psychological and emotional problems such as lack of self-esteem, anxiety or depression, says the dentist in Delhi.
In severe cases, the functionality of the teeth, mouth or jaw could be affected since malocclusion could cause difficulty chewing certain foods and proper cleaning cannot be carried out. From here periodontal diseases appear, such as gingivitis or periodontitis and/or dental caries, warns the best dentist in Delhi.
Likewise, if the teeth are misaligned and there is not a correct bite, the temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) develops, accompanied by severe pain and the inability to open the mouth sufficiently.
Finally, a malocclusion can lead to conditions at the cranial level (migraines, headaches, etc.) or the spinal column, states the best dentist in Pitampura.
Treatment of Malocclusion
The orthodontist in Pitampura is the one in charge of treating the malocclusion. Before starting treatment, the orthodontist will need to conduct a case study with:
- Questions about current health status.
- Examine both teeth and tissues.
- Dental X-rays and photos (extraoral and intraoral).
- Intraoral scanner to carry out the digital impression, preview the movements of the teeth and also the duration of the treatment.
Depending on the type of malocclusion, traditional brace orthodontics may be recommended by the best orthodontist in Pitampura (do not worry because there are different aesthetic types from which you can choose) for a period of 2 years (or more) or invisible orthodontics.