Malocclusion is a very common dental problem. Its a condition that affects not just the mouth but also the jaw growth, speech development, facial appearance, gum tissue health, and the ability to clean teeth properly.
According to
los angeles cosmetic dentists, malocclusion is known in many terms including bad bite, misaligned teeth, crossbite, overbite, underbite, or open bite. Its basically when the teeth of the upper arch, called the maxilla, and the lower arch, called the mandible, are not positioned for good dental health. Ideally, all upper teeth fit slightly over the lower teeth and the points of the molars fit the grooves of the opposite molar. Also, the upper teeth should keep the cheeks and lips from being bitten and the lower teeth protect the tongue. A
los angeles cosmetic dentists adds that all types of malocclusion are treatable.
An expert of
los angeles cosmetic dentistry said that there are several reasons why some people have malocclusion. Many cases of malocclusion that involves crowding of teeth, too much space between the teeth, extra or missing teeth, or irregularities in the jaw, face, and teeth, are inherited. However, malocclusion can also be acquired. Common causes of acquired malocclusion are accidents, thumbsucking, sucking on a pacifier, obstruction by tonsils and adenoids, dental disease, extra teeth, impacted teeth, abnormally shaped teeth, ill-fitting dental fillings/crowns, or premature loss of primary teeth.
It is important to treat malocclusion because other problems could result from it. It can cause excessive wear of tooth enamel, poor chewing, stress on both the gums and jawbone which support the teeth, chronic headaches, and facial and neck pains.
Before any deciding on any treatment plan for a specific case of malocclusion, a thorough evaluation should be done by your dentist. If the case is overcrowding of teeth, some teeth might be removed or decreased in size by the dentist. Orthodontics is a common treatment for malocclusion. Treatment duration often depends on how severe the case is. If the problem is mild, treatment often only takes a few months. However, for extreme cases jaw surgery which is also called orthognathic surgery, may be recommended.
