According to statistics, only one child out of four has a correct bite; various reasons often diagnose any pathology. The bite begins to form in children immediately after birth. The baby, succumbing to instincts, sucks the mother's breast or pacifier, trying to satisfy his hunger. During the feeding process, the baby sticks out lower jaw forward. Without exception, all experts are inclined to favor breastfeeding, since this process is the most physiological for the baby. Moms should listen to the advice of specialists, this way they can avoid further health problems caused by malocclusion.

Signs of malocclusion in children with photos

There are several signs with clear manifestations of malocclusion. The child may have gaps between the teeth, as shown in the photo, the dentition is disturbed, the teeth are either turned along the axis, or pushed forward or backward. With such pathologies, the lower jaw has an incorrect position when closing.

A doctor will help you make a diagnosis; he will examine the oral cavity and determine the type of bite. Sometimes a visual examination is not enough; an x-ray examination is required; in some cases, the dentist is forced to make an impression of the teeth.

There are many types of malocclusion:

• mesial, when a person pushes the lower jaw forward;
• distal is manifested by an underdeveloped lower jaw;
• deep, when the lower incisors overlap the upper ones;
• open - there is a gap between the upper and lower rows of teeth when they close;
• cross is characterized by a displacement of the lower jaw to the side.

Causes of the anomaly

This article talks about typical ways to solve your issues, but each case is unique! If you want to find out from me how to solve your particular problem, ask your question. It's fast and free!

The most common causes of malocclusion include disturbances in the eruption of crowns and the growth of the jaw bones. Genetic factors also have a huge influence concomitant diseases and habits:

1. Not correct bite can form against the background of chronic diseases of the ENT organs. If the baby has a disorder nasal breathing, he has to open his mouth slightly, and as a result, pathology develops.
2. Parents should pay attention to the bad habits of their child; he may constantly bite his lips or tongue, suck his fingers, or stick his jaw forward. The baby must be weaned off the pacifier as early as possible, otherwise his frontal teeth will not erupt correctly.
3. Sometimes improper formation of the dental system develops in the fetus while still in the womb. The reason for this may be various pathological conditions women during pregnancy. Anemia, viral diseases and other factors may contribute to developmental disorders of the baby.
4. Etiological factors play an equally important role in the formation of malocclusion in a child. The child can get birth trauma, his temporary teeth may not be removed in time or destroyed by caries.
5. Poor nutrition and mineral deficiency negatively affect the condition of bone tissue. Adults face a similar problem only in in rare cases when dental implantation or orthopedic treatment was carried out with violations.

At what age can the situation be corrected?

Correcting a bite in children is a long and complex process. Eliminate anomaly on our own hardly possible. Loving parents need to do everything so that a specialist examines their child before he turns 2-3 years old (see also:). Children in such early age the doctor can identify the problem and give a prognosis for the future. As a rule, the use of one of the treatment methods (hardware, surgical, orthopedic) helps correct a child’s malocclusion and allows him to forget about this problem forever.

Child 1 year old

At this age, the danger lies in the seemingly harmless pacifier. It is its use that contributes to the formation of malocclusion in one-year-old children. To minimize the risks associated with the development of malocclusions, mothers need to monitor the position of the baby’s head during breastfeeding and sleep, avoiding tilting it back.

You should carefully plan your diet; a growing body requires a sufficient amount of vitamins, macro- and microelements. If a child of 1 year of age does not receive enough calcium and fluoride, then his teeth will begin to grow later. This will have negative impact on bite formation.

Age 3-5 years

If your child is over 3 years old and has not yet visited an orthodontist, then you should put everything aside and visit him as soon as possible. dental clinic(we recommend reading: ). The doctor will assess the condition of the teeth, the quality of the enamel and the correctness of the primary bite. During the examination, the dentist will also pay attention to the closure of the side crowns.

Bite pathology can be corrected starting from the age of four. By the time the child enters the first grade of an educational institution, the anomaly can be eliminated. Good results can be achieved through the use of plates and trainers; they are quite flexible, but at the same time successfully guide the teeth. They are used during night sleep. The age under 5 years is best suited for correcting a child’s bite. The bone tissue of babies is not yet dense enough, and the teeth are mobile.

Age up to 14 years

Malocclusion can be corrected at any age, however, during the period of rapid growth and formation of the dental system, treatment gives best results. Uncorrected in childhood bite leads to diseases of the digestive and respiratory system, speech defects. Such children are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease and caries. In this regard, you should not delay treatment; you should try to correct the bite before the child reaches the age of 14 years.

Between the ages of six and fourteen, baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, and the jaw bones actively grow, allowing new teeth to take over. free space(more details in the article:). Trainers at this age will help correct the bite so that the jaws develop correctly in the future.

Fixes

There are many ways to correct a child’s bite. The most common and effective method of treatment is hardware. Due to special designs that can be used by patients over 16 years of age, it is possible to eliminate anomalies. If the doctor considers the use of plates and trainers inappropriate, then the bite can be corrected using the orthopedic method. Veneers are most often used. IN difficult cases The help of a surgeon or complex treatment may be required.

Using the device

Trainers are made from silicone in special production facilities. These are some of the best designs for correcting malocclusions in children. Trainers dress daily for a long time, usually at night. Such devices are invisible on the teeth and are easy to use; even a 5-year-old child can handle them.

If a child develops an abnormal bite and has crowded teeth, this is a direct indication for the use of removable appliances. Trainers successfully straighten teeth if there are gaps between them. For hardware method To correct the bite, other modern removable devices can be used: LM-activator and myobrace.

Plate

The plates are convenient because they can be removed at any time. To install orthodontic plate preliminary fitting is required; it is customized for each patient individually. To achieve the desired effect from using plates, the patient must visit an orthodontist. After the examination, the doctor makes impressions of the teeth and a plate is made based on them. Subsequently, the orthodontist can adjust the position of the springs and hooks, guiding the teeth in the desired direction.

Constant wearing of removable plates allows you to correct the bite on early stages development of anomalies, but they need to be removed as rarely as possible. Children do not like to wear such structures, so parents need to explain to their offspring the seriousness of the problem and constantly monitor them so that the kids cannot remove the plates unnoticed.

Surgical intervention

If conservative methods do not allow you to correct the bite, then you should resort to surgical treatment. You should not refuse the operation, because the health of the baby is in the balance. Doctors always try to correct any type of malocclusion using mouthguards, braces, veneers and other removable structures, and only in exceptional cases, when it is necessary to eliminate skeletal deformities, do they prescribe surgery. They also resort to the help of surgeons if it is necessary to remove teeth. Subsequently, the remaining gaps help align the dentition.

Surgeons put the patient under anesthesia, then realign the lower jaw and secure it properly using a splint. After two weeks the splint is removed.

Braces

Braces are non-removable structures. The patient has to wear them throughout the entire treatment. Braces consisting of two arches are attached using clasps that are glued to the crown. The position of each tooth is adjusted by a lock. The arches, stretching, align the dentition. Any type of bite can be corrected using such structures.

Braces are not always made of metal. They can be plastic, sapphire or a combination. The choice in favor of one or another braces remains with the attending doctor.

Myogymnastics

Malocclusion in children can be eliminated with the help of myotherapy. Doing special exercises, the child trains chewing and facial muscles. This method helps eliminate malocclusions in children. small age(4 years). Parents should ensure that their child does regular exercise correctly. At this age, you cannot do without adult control.

Consequences of abnormal bite

If you do not take timely measures to correct a child’s malocclusion, then you may encounter a number of diseases that arise as a result of it. The anomaly leads to changes in the dental system. The joint in the lower jaw experiences serious overload, and headaches may occur.

Due to the fact that a child cannot chew food properly, not only the teeth, which quickly wear out, suffer, but also the digestive organs. Increased risk inflammatory diseases oral cavity. A deep bite leads to injuries to the mucous membranes of the mouth. A person cannot bite, chew and swallow food correctly, teeth become mobile, and periodontal disease develops. Often people with malocclusion suffer from diseases of the ENT organs and their breathing worsens.

Malocclusion leads aesthetic defects. A person is embarrassed by his smile, against this background he develops various complexes. It can be difficult for him to communicate with others. Therefore, the situation should be corrected as early as possible to avoid negative consequences.

Malocclusion in a child begins to form even before birth and is observed in 90% of infants. During intensive growth in the first 17-18 years of life, due to well-developed chewing and facial muscles, most young people return to normal on their own. But 10-13% of people save significant defects bite, which can only be corrected with serious orthodontic treatment.

Bite development is a long process, stretched over for many years and consisting of several stages. At any stage, tissue disorders of the jaws and teeth may appear. They end with the formation of a malocclusion.

The formation and development of the face, jaws, and mineralization of teeth develop during the period of intrauterine development. After birth, the process of harmonious development of the jaws is significantly influenced by the physiological act of sucking.

There are the following periods of development of a child’s bite:

1. Initial stage. Lasts up to 6 months.
2. Up to 3 years. A temporary bite develops and baby teeth grow.
3. From 3 to 6. A temporary bite has formed, the development of the upper and lower jaws continues, preparation for the formation of a permanent dentition.
4. 6-12 years old. Mixed dentition stage. Active tissue development continues with the gradual replacement of baby teeth.
5. 12-15 years old. A permanent bite is formed. The teeth gradually take a permanent position.

Causes of malocclusion

At normal development tissues and complete closure of the jaws, the chewing function corresponds to the norm, the dentition remains even, all teeth are located in their places. With abnormal bite of teeth in children, the jaws are developed unevenly, one of them is larger or smaller than the other. The teeth are not in their proper places.

One of the main reasons is hereditary predisposition. If at least one of the parents had dental problems, then the newborn child, in all likelihood, has a disorder in the structure of the jaws. The risk increases many times if both parents have a malocclusion.

In addition, the following factors cause disturbances during the period when a child’s bite is formed and teeth develop:

1. The habit of putting in the mouth and chewing any hard objects.
2. Pacifier and nipple with a large hole for feeding.
3. Artificial feeding for too long.
4. Impaired nasal breathing.
5. Diseases of the ear, nose and throat.
6. Impaired development of the musculoskeletal system, incorrect posture.
7. Regular sleep in a motionless position.

When baby teeth are closely adjacent, the appearance of permanent molars can cause disruption of the dentition, since the molars are larger in size.

Parents usually do not know what to do if their child has an incorrect bite. Many believe that before the appearance permanent teeth There is no need to worry about the condition of your oral cavity. This is completely wrong: anomalies begin much earlier.

Dmitry Sidorov

Orthopedic dentist

Important! When feeding, the baby needs to make an effort, make chewing and sucking movements, so the hole in the nipple should be small, milk should flow out only with the efforts the baby makes.

How is malocclusion determined?

With normal development upper teeth protrude slightly above the lower jaw (by a third), with a tight closure, an ideal dentition is observed, there are no gaps or crooked teeth. This is called an orthognathic bite.

Correct (physiological) types of occlusion in children include:

1. Progenic. After a tight closure, the front teeth protrude slightly forward.
2. Direct. With close closure, the cutting edges of the upper incisors are connected to the edges of the lower teeth.
3. Biprognathic. The lower front teeth are slightly tilted forward.

It is difficult to notice malocclusion in a newborn child on your own. An experienced doctor can do this. Therefore, observation pediatric dentist carried out with early childhood until the baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth.

Doctors identify several situations that can be considered as signs of an abnormal bite:

1. Breathing is impaired: the child cannot breathe through his nose, his mouth is always half open. This eliminates colds.
2. Nocturnal snoring is observed.
3. The jaw is formed incorrectly: there is a noticeable disproportion of the jaws (the lower one sticks out more forward).
4. Violations of posture and curvature of the spine are noticeable.

Chewing is difficult, and the chin and lips become very tense when swallowing. Children bite their tongues and cheeks, stomatitis, facial asymmetry, and muscle pain appear. The teething pattern is changing.

Dmitry Sidorov

Orthopedic dentist

Important! During a visual examination, it is impossible to detect malocclusion in children under 3 years of age.

Other distinctive features: rapid abrasion of enamel, increased sensitivity, bleeding, impaired jaw joints, diction defects.

Sometimes hyperdentia (growth of supernumerary teeth), dystopia (disturbed arrangement of teeth), diastema and trema occur.

As children grow older, the signs of malocclusion intensify: the jaws protrude unevenly, the teeth are unevenly spaced, and are crowded in places.

Types of abnormal bite:

1. (prognathia). A strong degree of protrusion of the upper jaw, its overhang over the lower one.
2. (progeny). Noticeable protrusion of the lower jaw.
3. (scissor-shaped). The impossibility of tightly closing the jaws (the dentition resembles scissors), the symmetry of the dental arches is disturbed, so a sideways displacement occurs.
4. . The lower teeth protrude 50% more than normal.

With an open bite, when the jaws close, a wide gap remains. If the closure of the incisors is impossible, this is - open view anterior bite, molars do not close together - open lateral.

At what age should treatment begin?

It is unacceptable to think that everything will go away on its own. From birth, you need to monitor the child’s breathing, posture during sleep, and manifestations of snoring.

Treatment should begin from the moment the disordered bite formation is detected in children. There are many treatment options; the choice is determined by the age and characteristics of the child.

Treatment methods depending on age:

Age	Peculiarities	Treatment optionsI
Under 1 year	He has almost no teeth and has a habit of gnawing on everything.	Special orthodontic nipples are selected; nipples with negative impact on the teeth.
1-2 years	There are baby teeth, so treatment is prescribed by an orthodontist.	Special plates are used to reduce the risk of abnormal bite due to the habit of putting everything in the mouth.
From 3 to 7 years	Baby teeth have grown.	At 3 years of age, a cap is used to correct the bite, which is worn at night. treated using removable plates, trainers, LM activators (These products, according to indications, align, expand, narrow the dentition, and improve diction).
8-9 years	Borderline stage, milk teeth are replaced by permanent teeth.	Trainers, plates, orthodontic devices to achieve the correct interaction of the entire dentofacial apparatus, muscles and tissues.
10-11 years	The teeth are completely renewed.	The use of braces and aligners (removable transparent aligners) is allowed.

In addition to orthodontic treatments, exercises (myotherapy) are prescribed. Such training helps proper operation muscular system, teeth straightening. This technique is used up to the age of 4 years under the supervision of an adult.

Dmitry Sidorov

Orthopedic dentist

Attention! At the age of over 12 years, with pronounced anomalies, it is carried out surgery, if the violation cannot be eliminated by other means.

What happens if the bite is not corrected?

The child should be examined by a pediatric dentist, otolaryngologist, speech therapist and orthodontist. The main treatment is carried out by an orthodontist. He will take pictures and impressions to determine the extent of the disorder. Taking this into account, the necessary treatment is carried out.

If bites in children are not treated promptly, the abnormalities will persist for life. Restoring a normal bite in adults is more difficult and problematic, since their teeth are less mobile and less responsive to mechanical influences.

In addition, orthodontic treatment takes a long time and brings a lot of inconvenience to an adult who constantly needs to be among people and look good. Therefore, adults rarely decide to undergo treatment with an orthodontist.

But over time, the problem worsens, and a whole list of complications and negative consequences appears:

1. Abnormalities of the muscles and joints of the jaw system develop, which leads to pain in this area, and characteristic clicking sounds often appear.
2. The pain gradually spreads to neighboring areas, which ends in migraine, hearing loss and other troubles.
3. Night breathing is disrupted, apnea appears, which can provoke cardiovascular disorders, and sometimes more unpleasant consequences.
4. Indigestion and gastrointestinal diseases are observed.
5. Violation leads to uneven load, teeth wear out faster, bruxism and caries develop.
6. Teeth become loose and fall out.

Dmitry Sidorov

Orthopedic dentist

Attention! It should be remembered that such a seemingly insignificant disorder as malocclusion in a child leads to deep psychological problems during puberty. The teenager has low self-esteem, he avoids friends and peers, which only aggravates the problems.

Prevention of malocclusion

From the moment of birth, it is necessary to observe the child to identify congenital disorders, especially with hereditary predisposition. During pregnancy, the mother must eat well and follow a routine so that the child does not develop rickets in the future.

Besides:

1. Make sure that the hole in the nipple is small when feeding (milk from the bottle should be drawn in with force).
2. Do not allow the child to suck on the pacifier for a long time and wean him off it early.
3. Do not give the child the opportunity to suck fingers, tongue, or put toys, collars, or other foreign objects in his mouth.
4. Get used to solid food early.

Dmitry Sidorov

Orthopedic dentist

Important! Instill dental care skills, starting from the beginning of the formation of a mixed bite.

Make sure that the child sleeps in a free, relaxed position and does not throw his head back. If any problems occur, consult a doctor immediately. As your child grows, watch his posture.

It should not be assumed that a broken bite is only a problem appearance. Although nowadays it plays important role and not only among teenagers. healthy snow-white smile V modern world is perceived as proof of success and relevance.
An ugly smile causes complexes and disrupts the quality of life. But what's more important is what it might cause. serious problems with health, lead to irreversible consequences.

Anastasia Vorontsova

Malocclusion in a child is an anomaly in the development of the dental system.

Malocclusion in children, according to statistics, accounts for 90% of cases.

Among them, 10-15% of children have serious malocclusions, and therefore, the intervention of an orthodontist is simply necessary.

Parents of most children often do not pay attention to their child’s problem and turn to the dentist only for aesthetic help.

Reasons

The formation of malocclusion in a child can occur due to various reasons, and its development can be influenced by many factors.

Malocclusion in children can develop for the following reasons:

• Genetic predisposition to the development of malocclusion. It plays almost a primary role, therefore, it is very important that when a child is between three and five years old, a visit to an orthodontist takes place.
• Availability of children's bad habits: sucking a pacifier, fingers, various toys and any objects contributes to the development of malocclusion in a child.
• Children whose baby teeth are very close to each other are predisposed to developing malocclusion. Permanent teeth require more space and have large sizes, compared to baby teeth.
• Predominance in diet child, mainly soft food.

The following children should be considered at risk:

• Whose parents also suffer from malocclusion.
• With impaired nasal breathing - children suffering from ENT diseases (the child has adenoids), allergies, etc.
• The development of malocclusion is often associated with the lack of natural feeding of the child, the use of nipples for feeding and pacifiers.
• With pathology of the spine and poor posture.
• With the presence of systemic diseases ( diabetes mellitus, pathology of the nervous system).

Symptoms

Signs of malocclusion in a child are:

• Changing the position of the teeth, turning around an axis.
• Presence of gaps between teeth.
• Irregularities in the dentition.
• Advancement of teeth in anterior or posterior direction.
• Impaired jaw alignment when closing teeth.

Types of anomalies

Among the anomalies in the development of bite, the following are distinguished:

• Open bite. This anomaly is characterized by non-closure of a group of teeth during central occlusion. The most common type is an anterior open bite, rather than in the area of ​​the lateral teeth on two or one side.
• Mesial bite. A very common deformity, which is characterized by the protrusion of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw.
• Distal bite. It is characterized by hyperdevelopment of the upper jaw, or underdevelopment of the lower jaw. The upper row of teeth is pushed forward relative to the lower group of teeth.
• Crossbite. Facial asymmetry is observed. One of the jaws is narrower, with the lower jaw moving to the right or left. The anomaly can be either unilateral or bilateral.
• Deep bite. At the moment the jaws close, the upper jaw overlaps the lower jaw by more than a third.
• Diastema. It manifests itself as the presence of a wide gap (width from 1 to 6 mm) between the central incisors of the upper or lower dentition. The anomaly occurs more often in the upper row of teeth than in the lower row.

Video: “How to straighten crooked teeth? How to correct a child's bite? No braces!

When to start treatment

• The presence of malocclusion is one such problem that can be solved if treatment is started before the child reaches the age of five.
• If correction of the anomaly is not started on time, then the presence of maxillofacial defects that are associated with the development of malocclusion can subsequently cause diseases of the respiratory system and digestive system.
• In addition, if you have an incorrect bite, problems often arise not only with your teeth, but also with your gums. As a result, the risk of caries increases, periodontal disease develops, crunching, clicking and pain appear in the temporal mandibular joint. Loss of teeth often occurs.
• If you consult a doctor early, the problem can be eliminated with the help of removable equipment that stimulates the growth of the jaw bones and corrects the functioning of the muscles. To correct bite in older children, they are used fixed structures because We are already talking about formed anomalies. Moreover, in adulthood, it is possible to correct the abnormal development of the jaw bones only through surgical intervention.

Bite correction

The process of correcting malocclusion in children is complex and lengthy. It is impossible to correct a child’s bite on your own.

Therefore, the baby must be shown to the orthodontist before the child turns 1, 2 or 3 years old.

Already at this age, an experienced dentist will be able to make a prognosis regarding the bite, and, if necessary, take measures to prevent developmental anomalies.

Bite pathologies occur in 90% of children, but this figure should not be scary, because in modern dentistry even a slight twist of one tooth is considered an anomaly. In addition, today it is possible to correct any deformity: plates, fixed devices, aligners and other devices are used in treatment. If parents notice a pathology in their child in time, the correction will be carried out quickly and painlessly.

Causes of malocclusion in children

In children, the bite is formed in several stages, and at each of them it is possible to identify deviations:

• age up to 6 months;
• from six months to 3 years (temporary bite);
• from 3 to 6 years (the bite is formed, but the jaws continue to develop);
• from 6 to 12 years (milk units are replaced by permanent ones);
• from 12 to 15 years (the bite is completely formed).

The formation of an abnormal bite is possible if the following conditions exist:

• congenital anomalies;
• heredity (pathology transmitted from parents);
• trauma during childbirth;
• violation of the development of the facial skeleton;
• using pacifiers after the first teeth appear, thumb sucking;
• stopping breastfeeding prematurely and switching to artificial nutrition;
• early extraction of baby teeth;
• the presence of systemic diseases (for example, diabetes mellitus);
• insufficient intake of calcium or phosphorus into the body, poor nutrition;
• abuse of soft, crushed foods and lack of solid foods in the diet;
• generalized caries damage;
• posture disorders;
• frequent ENT diseases and allergies, accompanied by constant mouth breathing.

The formation of malocclusion occurs due to one of the above reasons or a combination of them. To prevent problems with occlusion, it is advisable to visit a doctor before the age of 4.

What are the types of malocclusion?

This article talks about typical ways to solve your issues, but each case is unique! If you want to find out from me how to solve your particular problem, ask your question. It's fast and free!

Today there are several classifications of malocclusion, but often different names mean the same pathology. The most commonly diagnosed types of disorders are presented in the table.

Children with malocclusion experience twisted and crooked teeth, and facial anatomy changes. However, only a doctor can identify the type of abnormal bite, since the pathology is often mixed.

Signs of malocclusion

Obvious signs of malocclusion include:

• uneven teeth and large gaps between teeth;
• twisted incisors or molars;
• incorrect position of teeth;
• presence of supernumerary teeth;
• violation of the position of the jaws when closing them.

Parents will be able to determine the pathology if the child protrudes the lower or upper jaw, finds it difficult to chew, complains of pain in the facial muscles, and systematically bites his tongue or cheeks. In children with malocclusion, the timing of the eruption of molars is often disrupted.

The presence of a problem can also be assumed by indirect signs:

• constant mouth breathing;
• profile change;
• tension in the chin when swallowing;
• slurred speech.

Pathological bite becomes the cause serious complications in the future. In children, the enamel wears off, stomatitis, periodontitis, and diseases of the temporomandibular joint develop; as a result of teeth biting their cheeks and tongue, wounds constantly appear in the oral cavity. Children often experience psychological discomfort due to ridicule from peers.

To determine the need for dental correction, you need to know what a correct bite looks like. If the teeth close together without forming a gap between the incisors, are in close contact with the antagonists, and the upper row slightly overlaps the lower one, the bite is correct.

Diagnostic methods

To find out the type of anomaly and at what stage of development it is, parents will have to visit a dentist, ENT specialist, speech therapist, periodontist and orthodontist with their child. Correction of the bite in children is carried out using different methods, usually special plates are used, but before prescribing treatment, the orthodontist carries out a set of measures aimed at establishing accurate diagnosis. Today there are several methods for determining malocclusion:

1. Anthropometric. In fact, this is an inspection during which the proportions are determined different departments head and correct positioning of teeth. The doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis even from a photo.
2. X-ray. The main research method to determine the state of the rudiments of radical units, the structure bone tissue and other parameters. Most often performed panoramic photos or teleradiograms, which allow you to see the location of certain points. By calculating the distance between them, the specialist identifies the type of deformation.
3. Study of casts. The doctor makes impressions of both jaws, from which the dentist creates plaster models. The doctor will be able to use the impressions to measure the parameters of each tooth, the distance between them, etc.
4. Functional tests. When performing special manipulations, the doctor reveals the degree of development of the functions of chewing, speech, breathing, etc.

The child should be regularly shown to a specialist. It is better to plan the first visit at the age of 1 – 2 years, when the baby’s first teeth erupt. Anomaly on initial stage A specialist can see development before the child reaches 5 years of age. At this age, the pathology is easiest to correct - you can simply do exercises or use removable devices to change the position of the teeth

Existing methods of treatment and correction of bite

The later treatment begins, the longer it takes. After 14 years, it is more difficult to affect the tissue, so braces, trainers and mouth guards are prescribed at the age of 8-12. Even though modern dentistry makes it possible to correct the bite even for adults; it is preferable to resort to therapy in childhood, when a person is actively growing.

Special nipples

Orthodontic pacifiers are used for infants for preventive purposes. The pacifier has special form– the tip is flattened and slightly beveled. The pacifier helps separate the tongue from the teeth, prevents the swallowing of air and forces the lower jaw to actively move so that the development of the facial skeleton proceeds correctly.

The pacifier is selected for each child individually. It cannot be used if the silicone part is damaged and must be removed from the mouth during sleep. After a year, it is recommended to stop using the pacifier.

Myotherapy

Myotherapy is a set of exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the lower part of the face. Special charging is often used to eliminate minor violations of temporary occlusion in young patients and is used in combination with orthodontic structures when correcting a permanent one.

To get results, exercises must be performed regularly, smoothly contracting the muscles. Each exercise is performed until you feel slightly tired. Their duration needs to be increased over time. The most effective exercises are considered:

Removable plates

On initial stage developmental malocclusion in a child is corrected using removable plates. The design of plastic and metal arc is made individually. The doctor gradually changes the position of the hooks and springs so that the dentition and individual units move in the desired direction. The main tasks of an orthodontic plate are to regulate the growth of the jaw, the size of the palate and fix the bones.

Records are most often placed on children aged 10–14 years. The products are removed when eating and while brushing your teeth, but to achieve the effect they must be worn constantly.

Trainers

Trainers are widely used to correct malocclusion in children aged 5 to 12 years. These are soft products consisting of an elastic frame and a layer of silicone. The design expands dental arch and maintains muscle tone. Trainers are also recommended for use to consolidate the results after wearing braces. They are indicated for use in the following cases:

• speech disorder;
• habit of thumb sucking, lip licking, mouth breathing;
• slight malocclusion;
• twisted teeth, diastema and tremata;
• inability to install braces (we recommend reading:).

Removable structures are used for several hours during the day and during sleep. The effect of treatment occurs quickly and without discomfort for the child.

Braces

Unlike plates, braces are non-removable devices that are installed for severe malocclusions. They consist of several elements, including an arch, springs and the actual braces, which are glued to each tooth.

The design allows you to correct the most severe pathologies by moving each tooth to the desired position. Treatment is carried out under the supervision of a specialist who corrects the pressure force and changes worn-out elements (elastic bands of ligature systems) every 1-2 months.

Bite correction lasts from one and a half to two years, while the structures are installed on a child from 10-12 years of age. The product is also actively used to correct bites in adults. The device requires careful care and causes some discomfort, so installing it requires mental preparation.

Prevention

You can influence the formation of your baby’s bite even during pregnancy: you should eat right, ensuring that the body receives a sufficient amount of useful microelements, avoid viral diseases and consume vitamin preparations. Pathology can be prevented using other measures:

1. Set up breast-feeding. The lower jaw of a newborn is initially small because it is underdeveloped, and breastfeeding stimulates its growth. For formula-fed infants, you need to purchase nipples that force the baby to make an effort when sucking.
2. You need to make sure that the baby does not sleep on one side and does not get carried away with pacifiers. After the appearance of incisors, it is better to abandon the nipples.
3. When switching to adult food The baby should eat apples, carrots and other solid foods. At the same time, you need to monitor the timing of teething, and if there are deviations from the schedule, contact a specialist.
4. Bad habits should not be allowed to develop - chewing on pens, thumb sucking, or propping up the chin leads to the development of abnormal tooth growth.
5. If you have ENT diseases, they need to be treated promptly.
6. It is advisable to massage the gums, frenulum of the tongue and lips, and carry out preventive exercises daily.

Statistics show that 90% of all children have various disorders in the development of occlusion. The process of its formation begins during the intrauterine development of the child. Until the age of eighteen, its intensive continuous development occurs. For many, after this period, the bite corrects itself, thanks to well-developed chewing and facial muscles. But 13% of young patients have more serious disorders, for the correction of which they have to seek help from an orthodontist. How to determine malocclusion in a child? At what period of development is it better to start treatment, and what methods exist for correcting malocclusion for children? What are they?

The development of occlusion begins in the prenatal period, when the face and jaws of the embryo are formed, mineralization and formation of the first temporary teeth occur. Unfavorable factors can provoke the development of jaw anomalies already from three one month old embryo. From the fifth month of the intrauterine period, the process of formation and mineralization of the incisors begins, and from the seventh - molars and canines. Formed chemical composition and the structure of dentin and enamel.

In addition to the formation of teeth, the embryo's jaws begin to rapidly develop. During the second trimester, the lower jaw is more developed, therefore it is in the mesial position - a significant advancement of the lower jaw arch. During the third trimester, the embryo develops a hard palate, which also affects the relationship of the jaw arches - the upper jaw predominates over the lower jaw (prognathic relationship). This ratio is considered correct, remains after the birth of the baby and is corrected due to the subsequent development of the facial muscles.

Periods of occlusion development in a child after birth

The prognathic relationship of the jaw arches, with , should be completely corrected by the baby’s year of life and acquire an orthognathic (correct) relationship. This process occurs due to the physical act of the baby sucking on the nipple or breast. The orbicularis facial muscles develop when grasping and holding the nipple, while performing sucking movements and swallowing milk. The activity of the lower jaw allows it to increase muscle tone and develop properly. By the time the first primary incisors begin to erupt, the intensive growth of the lower jaw allows it to protrude mesially.

The child is 6 months old. The first incisors begin to erupt - the beginning of the formation of a temporary primary bite, which is divided into 2 periods:

1. – the process of eruption of the first primary incisors occurs. This period continues until the child is three years old. During this time, the child should erupt: 8 incisors, 4 canines and 8 molars. There are a total of 20 teeth on both jaw arches.
2. Formed - the process of eruption of all milk teeth is completed. The baby's jaws are preparing for the appearance of permanent incisors and the beginning of the formation of a mixed bite. The period of a formed primary occlusion already makes it possible to determine the first deviations in the development of the dental system in a child.

A child is 6 years old – the beginning of the formation of a mixed dentition, which lasts until the age of fourteen. Now the dental arches should accommodate not 20 teeth, but 28, which are also larger in size. If the dental system is delayed in development, permanent teeth There is not enough space, which often provokes the formation of a malocclusion in a child. The period of development of permanent dentition begins at the age of 13 and continues until the age of 24, when the last ones appear. permanent molars(wisdom teeth).

Each of the above stages of development is very important in correct formation bite Its correction is possible at any age, but these are the periods that are best suited for treating and correcting the pathology.

Malocclusion in a child - symptoms

Starting from the age of three, any orthodontist will determine the existence of pathology. Parents can also pay attention to some obvious signs that serve as a signal to immediately visit a specialist. These signs may be various irregularities in the dentition, their protrusion in the posterior or anterior direction. The tooth may be in incorrect position or be rotated around an axis. Interdental gaps can also be considered a pathology, the presence of which is permissible only during the period of preparation of the gums for the eruption of permanent incisors.

These signs may indicate one or another type of pathology, which is divided into 5 types of malocclusion. Each of them entails certain consequences for the development and proper functionality of the entire organism.

1. type of pathology - the upper row of teeth is strongly pushed forward and significantly overlaps the lower one. This eliminates contact between the upper and lower incisors. Consequences: frequent illnesses periodontal disease and caries, impaired swallowing functions, painful sensations temporomandibular joint.
2. The child has an incorrect bite, the lower jaw is pushed forward - mesial type of pathology. In addition to the fact that this anomaly leads to distortion of the shape of the face, the consequences can manifest itself in impaired chewing of food and in the rapid development of periodontal disease. If the type is not cured at an early age of the patient, in the future the pathology can become a serious obstacle in the process of implantation, prosthetics and all other dental procedures.
3. appearance – uneven development of both jaws. The abnormalities may appear on the side or front of the jaw. Main sign– facial asymmetry, and the consequences: disturbances in diction and breathing, rapid development of caries and periodontal disease. In children with this pathology, the likelihood of problems associated with the gastrointestinal tract increases significantly. This is due to poor quality chewing of food.
4. type of anomaly - the upper row of teeth overlaps the lower row by 50% or more. It is caused by underdevelopment of the lower jaw and is the most common pathology. Consequences: rapid loss of teeth, trauma to the mucous membrane, difficulty eating, increased wear of the incisors and headaches.
5. bite - when the jaws are completely closed, the dentition does not close in the front or side of the jaw. Characterized by impaired diction, elongated face shape, disturbances in chewing and swallowing food, as well as constant voltage mouth muscles.

If the child initially had a correctly formed bite, visits to the dentist should still take place regularly. There is another type of pathology that can develop over time - the decreasing type. Its formation begins after the incisor wears off or is lost. Then the remaining teeth try to fill the resulting space and begin to shift in this direction. The structure of the entire dentition is disrupted, and later correction significantly increases the treatment time.

Reasons for the formation of malocclusion in a child

Except hereditary factor the formation of anomalies, pathology in the development of occlusion occurs in children who are bottle-fed. In order to clasp the nipple of the mother's breast well with its mouth, the baby needs to slightly extend the lower jaw. This makes it possible facial muscles work well and develop. Milk flows from the bottle almost on its own, and the baby does not need to grasp the nipple special effort. The whole process is basically just swallowing. The muscles of the lower jaw do not tense. She begins to lag significantly behind in development, provoking the formation of malocclusion in the child.

The second reason for the development of the anomaly is the lack of solid food for the baby. At six months of age, the period of first complementary feeding begins. Every mother grinds the introduced food products well. But from the age of one, it is necessary to introduce solid and crushed food into the diet. This will help in the development of the chewing apparatus. The lower and upper jaws will develop evenly. The muscle tissue of the gums will be strengthened, and the teeth will take the correct position in the jaw arch.

The position of the child’s head during feeding or sleeping also plays an important role in the formation of the bite. The habit of constantly sleeping in one position (putting a hand under your cheek, throwing your head back, sleeping on one side all the time, pressing your head to your chest) can lead to displacement or narrowing of the lower jaw.

Disturbances in the development of the dental system can occur due to a lack of children's body minerals. This greatly affects the timing of the eruption of all teeth, which is why they begin to shift. But even if the bite initially developed correctly, the baby’s bad habits can lead to the development of an anomaly. Frequent lip biting, sucking on hard objects or fingers. All this leads to the formation of a gap between the front incisors.

Significant disturbances in the growth of the child’s facial skull can occur due to mouth breathing during long period. In this case, the child begins to form an adenoid facial image.

When is the best time to start treating the pathology?

First of all, parents need to understand that if their child has one of the listed problems, he is already at risk of developing malocclusion. Such children should be under the supervision of an orthodontist from the beginning of the formation of the primary occlusion. The risk group includes:

• children whose parents have an illogical problem;
• the child has adenoids, breathes poorly through his nose, suffers from frequent ENT diseases or has frequent allergies;
• children are at risk artificial feeding or those who suck on a pacifier for a long time (the child should not use a pacifier or pacifier for more than six hours a day);
• the child has poor posture or a spinal pathology is developing;
• Systemic diseases, such as diabetes or pathology in the development of the nervous system, can also contribute to the formation of malocclusion.

Good results in the treatment of malocclusion can be achieved before the child is five years old. Of course, such anomalies can be resolved at any age, but five years is precisely the age when rapid growth and formation of the entire dental system occurs. In addition, if the defect is not corrected in time, the baby will begin to develop diseases of the digestive system and respiratory organs. Teeth and gums will be subject to the development of periodontal disease and caries. During the chewing process, crunching, pain in the mandibular joint and clicking will begin to appear. In addition to the bite problem, treatment for other diseases will also be needed.

Existing methods for correcting a child’s bite

To correct malocclusions and prevent its development, they are used in orthodontics. different methods depending on age little patient and the complexity of the pathology, for example:

1. . It is used for the youngest patients for preventive purposes. Its difference from a regular pacifier is anatomical shape, in which the tip is beveled at an angle and slightly flattened. The purpose of the orthodontic pacifier is to separate the child’s tongue from the teeth and force the lower jaw to move functionally so that the development of the maxillofacial apparatus proceeds correctly. The pacifier prevents the baby from swallowing air and distributes all the pressure evenly on the palate. Each pacifier is selected individually depending on the age of the child and the characteristics of the dental system. Basic rules of use: not for use with clear signs damage, is removed from the baby’s mouth while the baby is sleeping, its use is not recommended after one year.
2. Removable. The structure itself has a plastic base and a metal arc. They are best suited for children aged 10–14 years, when a permanent bite begins to form. The purpose of this design is to regulate the growth of the jaw and fix the bones in the desired position, as well as adjust the size of the palate and prevent deformation. They are made individually, based on a previously created cast of the child’s jaws. Features: independently removed for the duration of the event hygiene procedures and food intake, are well fixed on the child’s jaws, but are not attached to them, can be used on baby teeth.
3. – soft structures made of a top silicone layer and an elastic frame. Recommended for children aged 5–12 years. They are used to stimulate the growth and expansion of the dental arch in a child, and well activate the tone of the oral muscles. Also recommended for eliminating bad habits: sucking fingers or hard objects, licking lips, mouth breathing, tongue protruding, etc. Used for half an hour 2 times a day (if disturbances in the development of the dental system are more pronounced, the time of use can be increased).
4. From the age of ten, when a child pronounced pathologies bite, partial or complete braces may be prescribed. These designs are more difficult to install and further use. Braces are non-removable devices. They consist of small plates that are attached to each individual tooth, an arc that passes through each plate, connecting them to each other, and ligatures that fix the arc in the groove of the plate. Braces systems require special and careful personal care, so parents will have to keep the entire course of treatment under control. Correction of pathology with such a design can last from six months to two years.

Each correction of malocclusion must take place after a thorough diagnosis of the small patient. Independent use of structures is unacceptable. Such a decision by parents can greatly harm the child, aggravating the problem in the development of the dental system.