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Malocclusion, literally meaning "bad bite", is a medical term used to describe the situation in which the teeth of the upper and the lower jaw are misaligned, meaning they don't oppose each other correctly when the jaw is closed. This may cause problems with chewing and speaking, jaw pain, gum diseases, and tooth loss, but it is also an aesthetic problem that leads to low self-esteem and even serious mental health issues.
The branch of dentistry that deals with these frequent dental problems is called orthodontics, and some of the most common malocclusion issues that an orthodontist can fix are listed here.
Crowding
When there is a disproportion between the size of the teeth and the size of the jaw, such that the teeth cannot normally fit within the dental arches, we say that one has crowded teeth. This results in displacement, abnormal rotation and overlapping of teeth. Apart from being a serious aesthetic problem, teeth like this make problems with speaking and chewing, and they are often difficult to clean which leads to cavities and tooth decay. Crowding can often be solved by wearing braces that expand the jaw, making enough space for the teeth. Other treating options include tooth removal and polishing between teeth to make them narrower.
Spacing
Spacing is the opposite of crowding - it's the situation in which there is too much space between teeth, The cause can, again, be a disproportion between the size of the teeth and the size of the jaw, but missing teeth can also cause spacing. Patients with spacing usually don't have any symptoms, but this is an aesthetic problem that requires orthodontic correction. Treatment options include dental bonding, veneers and wearing braces. You should also check out orthodontist las cruces nm if you’re looking for one of the best orthodontists in the area.
Overbite and underbite
Overbite and underbite are malocclusion problems in which teeth overlap. Overbite means that upper teeth cover lower teeth too much because the upper jaw protrudes. The opposite is called underbite - lower teeth cover upper teeth because the lower jaw protrudes. Both overbite and underbite cause symptoms such as jaw pain and discomfort, and they lead to uneven wear and excessive damage to the front teeth. This tends to worsen over time so overbite and underbite require early treatment, and different braces can be used for their correction
Crossbite
Crossbite usually occurs when the upper jaw is too narrow, or the lower jaw is too wide - for upper and lower teeth to meet, some are in positions that are closer to the cheek, and some are in positions that are closer to the tongue than they should be. This causes trouble with chewing and speaking, jaw pain and headaches, painful bites and tooth decay. What makes this malocclusion especially serious is that, if untreated, it leads to improper and uneven growth of the jaw, so the structure of the whole face is affected making crossbite a major aesthetic problem too. This issue can be solved by wearing braces.
Open bite
If in some parts of the mouth, the teeth don't touch at all when the jaw is closed, this malocclusion is called an open bite. Open bite more frequently happens with front teeth, and it is often related to thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, although it may be a result of disproportion between jaws too. People with open bite usually have problems with biting and chewing, and the teeth that don't meet are unevenly worn. A combination of braces and changes of behavior is the best treatment for this issue, but in severe cases surgery is required.
