What is malocclusion? This is an abnormal arrangement of teeth in the mouth. Malocclusion not only has external unattractiveness, but also physiological consequences in the form of digestive disorders and early tooth decay. Bite correction is possible at any age, but it is most effective in childhood and adolescence – up to 14 years of age. What are the features of correcting malocclusion in a child and an adult? What should be the ideal bite? And what are the causes of impaired jaw formation?

The term “bite” refers to the type of closure of the teeth of the upper and lower jaws in a calm state, between meals.

In addition to this term, there is another dental designation - occlusion - this is the closing of teeth while chewing food.

Dental classification of the occlusion of incisors, canines and molars is based on two factors: the age of the person and the location of the teeth in the jaw. According to the time factor, the closing of the jaws is called:

• Temporary (milk)– up to 6 years (until the child’s first molar).
• Replaceable (mixed)– 6-12 years (until full shift). This period is characterized by maximum jaw growth and the most accelerated metabolic process. Treatment of malocclusion at this age is effective and quick. Correcting the bite is much easier to achieve than in adulthood.
• Permanent– after 14 years. Correction of the bite in this period is possible, but treatment is determined by age. The younger you are, the more active the metabolic processes are, the easier the crowns in the jaw move.

Correct physiological position of teeth

Correct closure is called physiological. Dentists distinguish several types of normal jaw closure. They are united by one common feature - they do not create unhealthy consequences in the form of physiological disorders. External signs of normal closure:

1. Symmetrical oval face with harmonious features.
2. The upper crowns are located on top of similar crowns of the lower row.
3. The midline of the face coincides with the midline between the front incisors.

Types of correct closure:

• Direct– the cutting edges of the teeth meet each other evenly.
• Orthognathic– the upper row of teeth overlaps the lower one by a small part of their height (up to 1/3 of the crown).
• Biprognathic– both rows of teeth have a slight tilt forward, towards the lips, but the cutting edges evenly touch each other.
• Progenic– the lower jaw is slightly pushed forward, but the cutting edges of the teeth are closed.

Photo of the correct bite:

Malocclusion

An incorrect bite is called an abnormal bite. It is expressed in incomplete contact of the extreme cutting surfaces of opposing incisors, canines and molars. As a result, incorrect loads are formed when chewing, orthodontic consultation and treatment are necessary.

There are several types of abnormal arrangement of teeth in the jaw. Most of them are the result of underdevelopment of the jaw bone in a child. They are united by a common property - gradually forming disturbances in the functioning of the digestive organs and disrupting the symmetry of the face. A person needs treatment, correction of the bite, in order to prevent further unhealthy consequences.

External signs of improper teeth closure:

1. Protruding upper lip.
2. Protruding lower jaw.
3. Curvature of teeth and their incomplete contact.
4. Mismatch between the edges of opposite chewing surfaces.

Types of malocclusion:

Distal– is expressed in too strong development of the upper jaw and underdevelopment of the lower jaw.

Photo and diagram - Distal closure

Mesial– the lower jaw is in front of the upper.



Photo and diagram - mesial closure

Cross– one of the dentitions (either upper or lower) is underdeveloped as a result of underdevelopment of one of the jaws, there is a displacement of one jaw relative to the other to the right or left.


Photo and diagram of cross closure

Open– there is partial or complete non-occlusion of opposing teeth.


Photo and diagram of open closure

Deep– the upper teeth significantly cover the lower teeth (more than ½ of their height).


Photo and diagram of deep closure

Dystopian– displacement of one or more teeth from their normal location in the jaw.

Causes of malocclusion

Malocclusion is associated with heredity, poor nutrition and insufficient mechanical load on the jaws. Here are the main unfavorable factors:

• Genetic inheritance.
• Disorders of intrauterine development (lack of calcium after the 20th week).
• Excessive pacifier use, finger sucking (must be supervised by an adult).
• Artificial feeding (during feeding, the formation of muscles and jaw occurs; in a newborn, the lower jaw is smaller than the upper; their sizes are equalized with sufficient sucking load on the facial muscles).
• Mouth breathing (may be a bad habit or a consequence of inflammation of the nasopharynx and adenoids).
• Removal too early. If a baby tooth falls out too early, conditions are created for the formation of improper closure of the jaws.
• Malnutrition and supply of microelements, lack or poor absorption of calcium, fluoride.
• Metabolic disorders.
• and his untimely treatment.
• Insufficient amounts of solid plant products in the diet (insufficient load on the jaws) result in improper formation of jaw closure in the child.
• Impaired jaw growth due to rickets (does not provide enough space for teething).
• Chronic otitis media and other ENT diseases (causing improper breathing).
• Jaw injuries.

Correction of malocclusion, its treatment depends on the age of the patient and the level of jaw underdevelopment.

Consequences of malocclusion in adults

An incorrect bite causes improper chewing, breathing, swallowing, facial expressions and speech.

The consequences of these physiological effects are expressed in gastrointestinal diseases, speech therapy disorders and early tooth decay. Treatment for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is ineffective if malocclusion persists.

Malocclusions are expressed in the following physiological consequences:

• . Improper load on the chewing surfaces leads to their loosening. This condition develops by the age of 30-40 (depending on the degree of malocclusion). Treatment is complex and not always successful.
• Rapid wear, chipping of the chewing surface of the crowns.
• Pathology of the temporomandibular joint at the site of attachment of the lower jaw to the temporal bone. With this malocclusion, these joints make a “clicking” sound when the jaws open and the mouth opens. In addition, frequent headaches develop.
• Deformation of the jaw and distortion of the face in a child.
• Defective speech in a child, and then in an adult.
• Breathing disorders – insufficient ventilation of the lungs, slowdown of metabolic processes in the body.
• Impaired chewing in children and adults, as a result of insufficient, incomplete grinding of food, gastritis is formed.
• Impaired diction often accompanies an open malocclusion.
• One-sided caries is formed by cross-closing, in which food is chewed primarily on one side of the mouth.

How to fix an overbite?

Correcting a malocclusion takes a long time. The treatment method is determined by the orthodontist.

Correction of a child’s bite, any malocclusion can be corrected before the age of 14 years, during the period of changing teeth and the formation of their permanent location in the gums. Correcting a bite in adults is more difficult. Typically using briquettes and removing some of the molars in the row. Correcting a bite on mature molars takes a long period of time and is more expensive.

What to do if malocclusion was discovered as an adult? Should I contact an orthodontist or leave it as is? Most likely, by the age of 30 or 40, owners of incorrectly positioned teeth already have a number of gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to contact an orthodontist at any age.

Correcting a bite without briquettes

What to do if the teeth are not aligned correctly and there is not enough money for dentistry? You can try doing a set of special exercises. Correcting malocclusion with exercises is especially effective in childhood and adolescence. Since malocclusion is associated with insufficient exercise and poor nutrition, you can turn to exercises that put muscle stress on the jaws.

1. Open your mouth with force (the hand presses on the chin and prevents it from opening).
2. Open your mouth wide and close quickly.
3. Raise the tip of the tongue to the palate and in this position open and close the mouth.

And also chew hard raw vegetables (carrots, celery, pumpkin) every day.

Also, bite correction without briquettes is achieved by passive methods that do not require physical effort from the patient:

(removable design made of silicone for children and polypropylene for adults, worn over the entire jaw for several hours a day or at night).

(plastic structures are permanently on the jaw).

(caps or records).

90% of people have an incorrect bite. All closure disorders develop in childhood. Therefore, it is in childhood, during the period of changing teeth, that it is necessary to observe an orthodontist and timely treatment. Especially if there is a genetic predisposition, and the child’s parents themselves have a formed malocclusion.

Only a small part of people can boast of a perfect bite. Basically, most of us have an abnormal bite and seek its correction only in cases of pronounced abnormal development.

But it turns out that even a slight deviation of the bite from the norm can cause a lot of negative consequences.

Types of deviations

Types of threats

They call it an overbite interaction opposing dentitions when the upper and lower jaws meet. It is this that is the main characteristic of the correct development of the dentofacial apparatus.

A permanent bite is formed after 14 years of age.

If the development is abnormal, long-term treatment is required, the absence of which increases the risk of certain complications, both local and general.

Uneven chewing load on teeth

With an incorrect bite, as a rule, the load is distributed unevenly. Some teeth are exposed double load, while others practically do not participate in the process of chewing food.

This negatively affects the quality of the structure of dental tissue, which becomes fragile and subject to destruction due to constant loads. Those crowns that do not experience mechanical stress also suffer. Bacterial plaque often accumulates on them, which contributes to the occurrence of caries.

Breathing problems

A pronounced anomaly in the development of the jaw apparatus can subsequently lead to disruption of proper breathing. In the absence of treatment, most often first nasal breathing is disrupted, which is then completely or partially replaced by the mouth.

This complication can cause temporary cessation of breathing and provoke inflammation of the respiratory system.

Decreased chewing activity

The pathology is often accompanied by a decrease in chewing activity, since when eating food, not all teeth are involved in chewing. When wanting to tightly close the crowns for high-quality chewing of food, a person often experiences discomfort and pain.

The lack of constant load leads to a decrease in the soft and bone tissue of the oral cavity and disruption of the normal functioning of the salivary glands, which increases the risk of developing dental diseases.

The influence of bite on appearance

Bruxism

This disease, which is not always an independent pathology, occurs as a result of nervous strain or genetic predisposition. The appearance of bruxism can be triggered by abnormal development of the bite.

Due to the incorrect positioning of the crowns of the upper and lower jaws in relation to each other, the muscular apparatus of the jaw experiences excessive stress. During sleep, a person unconsciously tries get rid of overvoltage, gritting his teeth.

ENT diseases

Malocclusion is often the culprit of poor quality teeth, since it is not always possible to completely clean them using standard means. This leads to the accumulation of bacterial deposits, penetrating into ENT organs and causing a weakening of their immune defense.

The most common diseases associated with this type of pathology are tonsillitis, sinusitis, and otitis media.

Damage to bone tissue

A large and constant load on the same crowns can lead to overstretching of the periodontal ligaments, causing the teeth to become mobile. During chewing, they become loose, damaging the bottom of the alveolar socket with their roots, injuring not only the periodontium, but also the bone tissue.

This phenomenon is fraught with the development inflammation of the alveolar ridge bone, which can spread to the entire jawbone.

Traumatization of soft tissues of the oral cavity

An abnormal bite is characterized by the incorrect position of the crowns, which may be tilted towards the lips or inside the oral cavity. The latter option is fraught with the occurrence of injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth.

Basically, the inner side of the cheeks and the lateral surfaces of the tongue are affected. Most often they arise due to biting while talking or eating.

Early tooth loss

Improper load distribution and poor oral hygiene are the main factors provoking early tooth loss due to improper development of the dentition.

Uneven load leads to loosening of the crown and enlargement of the periodontal pocket, where pathogenic bacteria easily enter. They cause purulent inflammation of the tooth root, which, if not treated in a timely manner, leads to its loss.

Gum recession

A decrease in functional activity with this type of dental anomaly is the cause of soft tissue atrophy. The gums in the cervical area are especially susceptible to decline.

In the absence of treatment, gradual exposure of the neck of the tooth, which leads to the accumulation of bacterial plaque on it and increased sensitivity. Gum recession often ends in cervical caries, which quickly spreads to the root of the tooth.

Difficult prosthetics and restoration

Incorrect position of the crowns complicates the prosthetic process. In this case, prosthetics require the use of complex devices and long-term treatment. To carry out restoration or replacement of defects in the dentition with their pronounced asymmetry, use some techniques impossible.

Often, in order to install bridges, it is necessary to remove particularly problematic teeth.

Photo: consequences of mesial position of teeth. Before and after treatment

Difficult oral hygiene

This problem is especially relevant when the crowns are located too tightly, where it is difficult to penetrate with a standard brush. Narrow dental spaces are areas in which a lot of accumulation of bacteria.

In some cases, their cleaning is impossible without the use of special products. Poor oral hygiene leads to the development of dental diseases localized on both periodontal and dental tissue.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is most common in older people. During uneven distribution of pressure on the crowns, integrity violation musculoskeletal system.

As a result, the roots of the teeth begin to gradually become exposed and loosening of the teeth occurs. Periodontitis is accompanied by bleeding gum tissue, a voluminous accumulation of plaque in the cervical area and a pronounced putrefactive odor.

In the absence of therapy, the inflammation becomes purulent.

Impaired diction

This is one of the most harmless complications that does not harm the body. Most often, this phenomenon affects the psychological state of a person. Mainly manifested by a lisp and unclear pronunciation of consonants.

As a rule, the deviation develops gradually, from childhood. Unlike other complications, this manifestation does not have the property get more complicated over time.

Increased enamel wear

With strong pressure on some crowns, their enamel changes its structure, becoming more fragile. Under constant mechanical influence it erased becoming thin and losing its protective function.

The consequence of thinning enamel is increased sensitivity of the crowns, the formation of carious lesions and the occurrence of pulpitis. In the absence of proper treatment, inflammation can develop into purulent inflammation, which will lead to partial or complete tooth loss.

Temporomandibular joint disease

One of the most serious and difficult to treat consequences is diseases of the temporomandibular joints. As a rule, they arise as a result of incorrect position of the incisors, which gradually lead to displacement of the jaw joints.

This pathology is accompanied by pain in the area neck, back and head. It is also often possible to notice pronounced clicking of the joints while talking or chewing food.

Gastrointestinal diseases

Loose closure of teeth leads to the fact that a person chews food poorly. Products entering the digestive system in pieces cause inflammation and dysfunctional disorders.

In addition, when digesting such food, a double load falls on the organs. The most common gastrointestinal pathologies include gastritis, enterocolitis and stool disorder.

Aesthetic violations

An abnormal bite leads to a violation of the symmetry of the face not only from the front, but also from the profile. With small deviations in the development of the dental system, this is hardly noticeable and can only affect the choice of sport.

On the right is the result of correcting distal occlusion

Danger during temporary development process

The opinion that during the formation of a temporary bite it does not require attention is erroneous. Despite the fact that the child’s teeth are temporary, it should be taken into account that this period is characterized by active growth of the jaw apparatus.

This means that improper development of the bite can affect this process and cause a number of complications:

• premature tooth extraction which leads to a narrowing of the jaw arch;
• development chronic bowel diseases;
• extensive caries lesions.

Pathology at the shifting stage of formation

The period of replacement teeth is the most significant for the formation of a correct bite. Abnormal development of the dentofacial apparatus in this case can lead to the following complications:

• underdevelopment of the temporomandibular apparatus, which subsequently provokes serious diseases of the ENT organs and pathologies of the cervical spine;
• facial asymmetry;
• decrease in the quality of dental tissues, contributing to the development of dental diseases that lead to their premature loss.

Change in appearance after treatment

Abnormal development of occlusion is a pathology that develops from childhood. Lack of proper attention to this process leads to serious consequences that are often difficult to stop.

And in this video, a specialist expresses his opinion:

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Every day, everywhere you can see an example of a smile that looks like a dream. However, a perfectly beautiful smile does not yet confirm the correct bite. Orthodontists distinguish several types of correct closure of teeth, which do not require correction. On the contrary, this indicator may not always be accompanied by a Hollywood smile. In a more detailed sense, it refers to the correct fit of the jaws.

Fact! A highly qualified specialist is able to identify the nature of the bite even if the patient is missing some teeth. A correct bite is considered when the upper teeth cover the lower teeth. Violation of the closing function of teeth can lead to deformation and excessive load on the oral cavity, which leads to partial removal of dental elements.

An orthodontist can help restore occlusion and normalize the masticatory system.

Varieties

Attention! All types of correct dental closure can provide an aesthetic appearance of a smile and healthy functioning of the jaws, but based on statistics, there is an average of only 10-20% of the population with ideal teeth alignment.

How to determine the correct bite?

Teeth occlusion and alignment are two related terms in dentistry. In addition, there is such a thing as central occlusion. It implies the final arrangement of the dental elements, observed with complete jaw fit. Identification of the correct bite occurs with central occlusion. It is worth noting that it is possible to distinguish not only the closure options, but also the location of the teeth.

One of the most exemplary types of closure is the option where the upper row of teeth overlaps the lower row by no more than one third. In this case, closure is characterized by complete tight contact.

Do not forget that correct closure is not only the correct jaw position, but also the relatively correct shape and dimensional indicators of the fundamental elements. Therefore, the teeth of the upper jaw should be inclined slightly towards the lips, while the lower jaw is characterized by an inclination towards the tongue.

This is important! With correct occlusion, there are no problems such as facial disharmony, which is very often noted with the mesial type of closure.

Thus, the upper incisors must be adjacent to the lower ones, then the bite can be considered harmonious. Additionally, the following signs of proper teeth closure can be identified:

1. Tight contact of teeth without any gaps.
2. There are no gaps and no supercontact of the dentition occurs.
3. The incisors of the jaws have an exclusively central location.

Natural dental alignment and correct closure eliminate problems with diction, aesthetic problems, disturbances in chewing function, and even breathing.

Correct closure of teeth: formation stage

The formation of the bite occurs from the first days after birth and lasts until adolescence, on average up to 16 years. The stage begins with the appearance of the first incisors. After replacing all primary dental elements with permanent ones, the bite is determined. Its development is influenced not only by external factors, but also by the form of heredity.

To avoid malocclusion, the following rules must be followed as a precaution:

1. Breastfeeding from birth is considered beneficial.
2. Try not to give your child rubber nipples or objects of a similar nature.
3. If this occurs, wean your child from sucking fingers or toys.
4. The child's sleep should be calm, his breathing should be even through the nasal cavity, his mouth should be closed.
5. Visit doctors specializing in the oral cavity in a timely manner; it is the dentist who is able to identify pathology in time, eliminate defects, prescribe the correct treatment, or give preventive advice.

Important to know! Primary incisors must be replaced by permanent ones, strictly in this sequence. If the permanent incisors occupy niches along with the deciduous ones, this is considered unacceptable.

There is a danger of teeth transitioning from a normal state to malocclusion, which occurs against the background of maxillofacial injuries, due to gum disease, unprofessional prosthetic work, as well as due to the loss of teeth and their prolonged absence.

Video: What determines the formation of a correct bite

Problems caused by malocclusion

1. The bite can affect the quality of chewing food, which, due to poor closure, may not be chewed enough, poorly absorbed and digested by the body. Against the background of this imbalance, problems with the gastrointestinal tract may appear.
2. Due to malocclusion, teeth are prone to improper stress, resulting in tooth loss.
3. The speech apparatus and diction are impaired.
4. The proportions of the facial part change, the proportions of the chin change - it becomes small, or, on the contrary, the lower jaw noticeably moves forward, asymmetry of the face appears, and the aesthetic appearance of the person’s smile itself is lost.
5. Oral hygiene deteriorates, making it difficult to properly clean all teeth. Food begins to accumulate on the teeth, which provokes the development of bad bacteria, caries and a number of other equally dangerous dental diseases appear.
6. Involuntary teeth grinding may occur, which occurs both during sleep and throughout the day. Because of this, teeth begin to wear down and become loose. Headaches and neck pain may occur.
7. The functioning of the respiratory system deteriorates. Breathing through the nose is considered normal, but due to an incorrect bite, a person can breathe through the mouth.

Video: Consequences of malocclusion.

Correction of malocclusion defect

If a patient is faced with the problem of malocclusion, he needs to urgently contact an orthodontist, who, during the consultation, can advise on bite correction plates and mouth guards. In more complex cases, today there are bracket systems; their installation can restore and give the smile an aesthetic appearance.

You can find many types of braces that will recreate a proper, beautiful smile in a year and a half (on average), without requiring any surgical interventions. Therefore, it is very important to teach a child to visit the dentist from an early age, so that in case of deviations in the development of the correct position of the dentition, the pathology can be corrected in a timely manner. A specialist comments on pathology and correct bite.

Malocclusion is a violation of the natural function of teeth closure. This defect is one of the most common problems in orthodontics. At the same time, correction, as well as its detection and prevention, are equally important for both children and adults.

Photo 1. Dental malocclusion has been treated, is being treated and will continue to be treated

Signs: what it looks like

To understand what malocclusion means and how to determine it, you must first understand what the bite should be ideally. An “orthognathic bite” is considered healthy when the upper row of teeth slightly overlaps the lower one. At the same time, the chewing function is as effective as possible. If disturbances occur during teething or jaw growth, negative changes may occur:

1. With an incorrect bite, the lower jaw is pushed forward, or more often there is a violation - the lower jaw is located back, and the upper teeth protrude strongly forward.
2. Teeth located in the dentition are out of place - loss from the dentition, second row of teeth.
3. Underdevelopment of the lower jaw, as well as a common phenomenon when the upper jaw protrudes strongly forward.

Unfortunately, such defects in children are not always a cause for concern for their parents, and some of them even like such changes. However, as the child grows up, his facial features change only for the worse: an ugly smile and clearly crooked teeth, as well as the risk of developing periodontal disease - these are the unpleasant consequences that await him already in adolescence. Thus, this defect should be identified and corrected from childhood.

And although only a qualified orthodontist can determine the exact state of the bite, there are the most common changes that are clearly visible visually:

• protruding upper lip;
• crooked teeth;
• incorrectly touching dentition;
• overdeveloped lower jaw, protruding forward.

If you detect at least one of the listed signs, you should immediately make an appointment with a specialist.

Reasons

Usually, to find out why a malocclusion formed, you need to look into the patient’s childhood. Most often, the cause of this defect is a genetic factor, when a child inherits the size of teeth and bite shape of his parents. In this case, the resulting pathologies are very serious and difficult to treat. Another common cause of dental problems is intrauterine development disorders: anemia, metabolic problems, viral diseases, intrauterine infection, as well as other pregnancy pathologies (bite treatment and pregnancy), which can lead to further development of the disease.

But even excluding genetic and intrauterine factors, the likelihood of a defect in the formation of the dentition after the birth of a child is also quite high. This is due to many underlying causes that influence the formation of teeth and bite. Here are some of them:

• birth trauma;
• artificial feeding;
• breathing problems;
• thumb or pacifier sucking;
• haste or delay in removing baby teeth;
• incorrect bite after prosthetics;
• deficiency of fluorine and calcium in the body;
• disruption of the eruption process;
• malnutrition and dental caries;
• metabolic problems;
• diseases and injuries of the dental system.

As for malocclusion in adults, the most common reason for its formation is the untimely replacement of extracted teeth through dental implantation or less effective, but more affordable prosthetics on bridges

Consequences: does it need to be corrected and why is it dangerous?

With an incorrect bite, the consequences can be very serious: the load on individual teeth increases, the enamel wears off much faster, and sensitivity increases. If the bite height decreases, the face loses symmetry and the risk of damage to the temporomandibular joint increases. The frequency of injuries to the surface of the cheeks and tongue is increasing, which leads to the formation of traumatic ulcers.

Among the risks of malocclusion are often added physical damage to the gums, as well as a general impairment of the functions of chewing, breathing, speech, swallowing and facial expressions. Thus, with a frontal open bite, biting and speaking become significantly more difficult. In the case of the lateral one, the chewing function suffers. And with the distal form of deep bite, breathing disturbance is observed. Against the background of these changes, a number of diseases of the digestive organs, nasopharynx, hearing aid and respiratory system are almost guaranteed.

Species

To identify the main types of this disease, first of all, you should understand the types of its correct form, and also find out what malocclusion affects from a physiological point of view.

The determination of the correct bite is based on the natural closure of both jaws, in which the upper dentition should overlap the lower one by 1/3, and the interaction of the molars is based on the principle of clear closure of antagonist teeth with each other.

Main features

• When the jaws close, the teeth located in the upper row naturally come into contact with the teeth of the same name from the lower row;
• a conventional vertical line drawn along the face runs in the center between the lower and upper central incisors;
• there are no significant gaps between adjacent teeth of the same row;
• speech and chewing functions are normal.

An abnormal or malocclusion, in turn, is the result of genetic or acquired changes that cause various defects of the jaw and/or dentition. Usually they mean various deviations from the norm in the process of closure of the lower and upper teeth, in which there may be a complete lack of contact in certain areas, which leads to a significant distortion of the shape of the face and disruption of the functions of the dentofacial apparatus.

Depending on the characteristics of the existing anomaly, it is customary to distinguish the following types of malocclusion:

• open(most of the teeth of each row do not close);
• deep(the incisors of the upper row overlap the front surface of the lower teeth by more than 50%);
• mesial(there is a noticeable protrusion of the lower jaw forward);
• distal(underdevelopment of the lower jaw or overdevelopment of the upper jaw);
• dystopia (some teeth are out of place);
• cross(one side of either jaw is not fully developed).

To understand what any type of malocclusion leads to, it is enough to remember the consequences of unhealthy teeth for the entire body, which, as we know, always pose a danger. Therefore, it is not recommended to take this problem to an extreme degree, otherwise new diseases may arise that require separate treatment.

Prevention of development

As mentioned earlier, most dental defects come from childhood. And in order to avoid unnecessary hassle on how to correct the bite and what to do, parents should prevent the development of this disease in their child.

In the absence of a genetic predisposition, all prevention is based on simple rules:

• Take care of your health during pregnancy. Mineralization of a child’s teeth begins from the 20th week, and therefore during this period it is extremely important to consume the required amount of calcium and fluoride;
• Follow the rules of feeding your baby. Since the lower jaw of a newborn is smaller than the upper, its dimensions are equalized during the sucking process, when all the main muscles of the face are involved. In the case of artificial feeding, this does not happen, since the large size of the hole in the bottle makes the baby swallow the milk more quickly. As a result, the risk of developing malocclusion increases significantly;
• Monitor your child's breathing - he should breathe through his nose. Only oral or mixed breathing causes a narrowing of the upper row of teeth and slows down the growth process of the upper jaw, which often leads to the development of an open bite;
• rid your child of old habits. Formation is often associated with thumb or pacifier sucking at the age when baby teeth begin to emerge. And even incorrect posture can lead to the development of serious defects;
• visit the dentist. To once and for all stop thinking about what to do if a malocclusion develops, regularly take your child for examination to a specialist, who will diagnose and eliminate this problem in a timely manner.

How to fix it: treatment with and without braces

The options for how to hide and treat malocclusion in childhood and adulthood are very similar, but still differ in their specificity. Thus, the main problem in treating malocclusion in adults is that their jaw bones are fully formed and grow slowly, requiring great effort to be effectively corrected. Also, “aged” patients most often have not the healthiest teeth, often covered with fillings and partially destroyed by various factors, which makes dental prosthetics very difficult.

On the other hand, a high level of motivation and a conscious interest in a positive result can compensate for the physical characteristics of adult patients, and therefore treatment of malocclusion can be slow but stable.

Correction

When treating malocclusions, braces are the primary treatment option among teenagers and adults. This orthodontic design is non-removable and consists of a chain of locks or brackets fixed to the surface of the teeth with special glue and an arch. The most common are metal braces. At the same time, they can be very aesthetic. There are also vestibular and external brace systems made from completely transparent materials: ceramics, sapphire or plastic. And lingual (internal) structures allow you to completely hide the fact of their presence, since they are attached to the back surface of the teeth.

Treatment by surgery

Despite the popularity of braces, many people want to know whether malocclusion can be corrected surgically. Yes, this treatment option is possible. However, it is justified only in the case of very serious defects: disruption of the structure of the jaw bones, their asymmetry and disproportion. In general, this approach is very effective, but also more dangerous, since any operation is, first of all, a risk.

Many people are diagnosed, but not all of them turn to a specialist for help with this problem and get rid of it. For some people it does not cause discomfort, while others may not even be aware of its presence. As a rule, a person turns to an orthodontist only for those pathologies that significantly spoil the aesthetics of appearance. The consequences of malocclusion can be very serious, so it is recommended to correct it as early as possible.

Dentists distinguish several types of malocclusion. A normal bite is one in which the teeth of the upper jaw slightly overlap the teeth of the lower jaw. Let us take a closer look at the distinctive features of each type of malocclusion separately.

Oksana Shiyka

Dentist-therapist

Important! Usually, serious dental pathologies are corrected in childhood or adolescence. Doctors advise adults to correct their bite if they have problems such as: incorrect localization of teeth, large intervals between them, underdevelopment of one of the jaws, increased torsion of teeth.

Why can a malocclusion develop?

There are several reasons for the formation of malocclusion. It often develops in infancy. In this case, doctors diagnose it in those children who are not breastfed, but fed with artificial formula. The method of obtaining milk plays an important role: when the baby independently covers the nipple with his mouth, he slightly pushes the lower jaw forward. In infants, the lower jaw is always shorter in relation to the upper jaw. When a newborn sucks milk from the breast, his muscles are actively developing, but when drinking milk from a bottle, the muscles are not used.

Oksana Shiyka

Dentist-therapist

Important! Scientists have found that the formation of malocclusion is hereditary in nature and can be transmitted genetically. If a person has such a defect, then there is a high probability that children will subsequently inherit it.

Many babies have the habit of always sleeping in one position, which can cause improper bite development. For normal development of the chewing apparatus, solid foods must be present in the child’s diet (from 1 year of age). Their absence is also a provoking factor. At the same time, a number of other factors are noted that can lead to anomalies of occlusion at different ages:

1. Poor posture of a newborn.
2. Premature loss of baby teeth.
3. Congenital defects of the oral cavity.
4. Deviations from the endocrine system (problems with the thyroid gland).
5. Bad habits (such as finger sucking or nail biting).
6. Multiple and advanced caries.
7. Regular colds (lead to preference for mouth breathing).
8. Acute lack of calcium and other useful minerals in the body.
9. Lack of area for wisdom teeth to erupt.
10. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
11. Development of inflammatory and infectious processes in the mucous membrane.
12. Untimely replacement of extracted teeth through incorrect prosthetics.
13. Unfavorable environmental situation.
14. Mechanical injuries of the jaw.

All these factors can lead to occlusion abnormalities to one degree or another. The consequences are different (according to the type of occlusion pathology and the specific development of the anomaly). Let's take a closer look at the dangers of malocclusion (occlusion) at different ages.

Consequences of malocclusion during the temporary stage of formation

The period of formation of temporary occlusion occurs in children aged from six months to 3 years. At this time, the child's baby teeth begin to grow. There is a misconception that this stage of formation should not be given special attention. Although baby teeth are temporary, it is important to consider that when the bite is formed, active growth of the upper and lower jaw occurs. As a result, improper development can lead to a number of serious complications, such as:

• narrowing of the jaw arch (due to early tooth extraction);
• damage to hard dental tissues;
• the occurrence of chronic intestinal diseases.

The period of mixed dentition for children and adolescents occurs between the ages of 6 and 12 years. This period is characterized not only by the growth of the upper and lower jaws, but also by the appearance of permanent teeth. This period is more significant for the formation of correct occlusion. Abnormal development can cause complications such as:

• insufficient development of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This leads to various diseases of the cervical spine and ENT organs;
• deterioration in the quality of tooth tissue (dentin, enamel). As a result, a person often develops oral diseases (caries, pulpitis, periodontitis), which can cause premature tooth loss;
• violation of facial aesthetics (pronounced asymmetry).

One of the serious complications is problems with the correct (intelligible) pronunciation of words. Dentists distinguish between 2 types of speech disorders: functional and mechanical. The first is associated with a disruption of nervous processes in the brain. Speech therapists and neurologists can correct such a disease. The cause of mechanical speech disorder is malocclusion, abnormal structure of the oral cavity and the absence of some teeth. Most often, children with impaired occlusion develop burr and the sound “R” is absent in their speech. In this case, it is important to consult an orthodontist in a timely manner.

Consequences of malocclusion at a constant stage of formation

The period of developing permanent dentition occurs between the ages of 12 and 15 years. At this stage, all baby teeth are replaced. Many patients ask their doctor why malocclusion is dangerous in adults. In addition to poor external facial aesthetics, a person has many other problems. Impaired occlusion complicates prosthetics and leads to injuries to the cheeks and tongue. Almost always, deviations from the norm of occlusion are accompanied by abrasion of teeth and a significant increase in the tissue around the tooth. With progression, a person experiences exposure of the roots of the tooth (decreased gum volume). This increases the likelihood of tooth decay. Also, an incorrect bite prevents proper teeth cleaning, which provokes the appearance of diseases in the oral cavity.

Often, people with impaired occlusion have problems with the temporomandibular joint. This is because the upper jaw stops growing at the age of 15, but the lower jaw can continue to grow until the age of 20. As a result of a change in the size of the lower jaw, a displacement of the articular disc is provoked into the area of ​​the ligaments that are involved in its connection to the skull. With an occlusion defect, the head begins to affect the area where many nerve endings and capillaries are located. This leads to migraines (headaches). Impaired occlusion can cause spasms of individual muscles, which can lead to dizziness. Also, due to the incorrect localization of the jaw and dentition, a person experiences increased stress on the temporomandibular joint, which makes it susceptible to an inflammatory process; a person experiences discomfort in the masticatory muscles while chewing food.

The quality of chewing food directly depends on a person’s bite. Due to occlusion pathologies, a person chews food poorly, as a result of which it penetrates into the gastrointestinal tract in large pieces. Because of this, beneficial nutrients may not be fully absorbed. With pathologies of occlusion, the likelihood of pathogenic bacteria entering the gastrointestinal tract increases, which leads to serious infectious diseases.

Conclusion

The consequences of malocclusion can affect a variety of organs and systems of the body. If a person is often bothered by migraines and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, it is worth making an appointment with an orthodontist. Carrying out high-quality diagnostics will allow us to identify the presence of occlusion anomalies and select the most appropriate technique that can correct it. Thanks to the progress of medicine and the abundance of modern methods (braces, surgery, removable structures), it is possible to correct malocclusion at any age.