If parameters such as the degree of whiteness of the teeth and the absence of stains are purely an aesthetic point, then malocclusion in adults and children can harm he alth in general. It must be corrected.
What is malocclusion
This is an incorrect junction of the upper and lower jaws in a calm state. It can cause displacement, grinding and suppuration of the teeth. The bite deteriorates most often in childhood. This has a direct impact on the functioning of the entire dental system. The main reasons for this defect are as follows:
- The structure of the jaw laid down at the genetic level.
- Childhood infections.
- Pathologies and diseases of the mother during pregnancy.
- Diseases of the skeletal system.
- Artificial feeding.
- Baby habit of thumb sucking or pacifier.
- Injury.
In most cases, the understanding that the bite needs correction is visible to the naked eye, but sometimes outwardly the teeth look quite even. How to independently recognize that the bite is broken? Forit is necessary to understand what bite is considered correct. Not all teeth should be exactly on top of each other, but only molars. The canines and incisors of the upper jaw should protrude slightly above the lower ones, but if this protrusion is slightly more or less than normal, problems begin. The teeth themselves should not "look" in different directions.
However, the concept of the norm here is conditional. In the case of bite, it is an average indicator. This refers to the physiological bite, which allows the body to function correctly. Absolutely the same position of the jaws and teeth in two different people is almost never found. Almost everyone has slight deviations. The difference lies in the fact that for some people, deviations do not interfere, and the teeth grow evenly, while for others, the incorrect position of the jaws interferes with the normal formation of teeth.
Types of bite pathologies are divided into the following:
- Crossed.
- Open.
- Mesial.
- Deep.
- Dystopia.
Today, dentistry has stepped so far forward that in some cases it is even possible to correct an overbite without braces in adults. The most common correction tools today are as follows:
- Various braces.
- Mouthguards.
- Retainers.
Diagnose the problem and help correct the bite, (if necessary) the orthodontist will help.
Diagnosis
In order not to spend money on unnecessary consultations, it is better to do an orthopantomogram yourself. This is a panoramic x-ray of the jaw,which shows the location of the teeth both inside and outside, as well as all possible inflammatory processes occurring in the jaws and gums, all neoplasms. An orthopantomogram is also useful in order to visit a regular dentist before the diagnosis, which will cure caries and remove stones from the surface of the teeth, if necessary. Oral diseases and stones during the installation of corrective means are unacceptable, so it makes no sense to go to the orthodontist with them.
When visiting a specialist, the course of diagnostics will be as follows:
- Visual examination of the jaw with palpation.
- Recommendation to make or study a ready-made orthopantomogram.
- Removing an impression from the jaw.
- Photographing the patient from the required angles, including his jaw and teeth.
To pass or not such a diagnosis, the patient decides for himself. This is usually done if a person has suspicions that their bite is incorrect or as a preventive measure. It is much better if the first diagnosis is made in childhood, when the teeth are still very mobile.
The harm of malocclusion
Almost any malocclusion creates aesthetic discomfort. Because of it, the teeth begin to grow crookedly, falling on each other, and because of the inaccessibility during cleaning, they begin to become covered with yellow plaque and tartar. But the great danger is that malocclusion in adults and children poses a direct threat to he alth. Here is a list of the most common problems caused by malocclusion:
- Defectsspeech.
- Asymmetric face.
- Digestive problems.
- Distortion of facial features, such as a protruding jaw.
- Pinched facial nerves.
- Breathing problems.
When the teeth are misaligned, the pressure of the upper teeth on the lower ones is either insufficient or excessive, which causes periodontitis, caries and other diseases of the oral cavity.
Do not forget about the dangers of malocclusion from a psychological point of view. A person's self-esteem can suffer greatly. He can choose a profession that is not suitable for him, which does not involve frequent communication with people. Malocclusion affects appearance even when the mouth is closed.
Correction of a deep bite in adults will entail a change in appearance for the better, lips will become more regular in shape, and the chin will become more defined.
Is it dangerous to correct an overbite in childhood
It seems most expedient to correct the bite at the stage of its formation, that is, even in childhood. Many want to do this right away, when it becomes established that the bite is formed incorrectly, because it is up to 14 years that the bite is actively formed. If you influence its formation during this period, you can achieve the correct formation of the jaw itself.
To be more precise, there are three stages in the formation of a bite in a person. At the age of 14, the last one ends. It is preceded by a milk stage, ending at about 5–7 years of age, and an interchangeable one, which will last until about 12 years of age. On thisstage, if the problem is not serious, even a regular dental plate will help correct the bite. But from 12 to 14 the last stage will last - permanent.
Only a very good specialist can correct the bite with the help of a bracket system in a teenager, without causing even more harm. In addition to knowledge, familiarity with all the advanced technologies and experience, he must have high-tech equipment at his disposal. Therefore, few people undertake such work in Russia. But foreign dentists put braces on teenagers as well, since the correction of bite in adults will never bring such a quick and long-term result as correcting it in children under 14.
If there is a financial opportunity, it is better to turn to a highly qualified specialist in childhood. If this is not possible, then correcting the bite in adolescence should be treated with caution.
Braces
One of the most popular and effective ways to correct bite in adults and children today is the installation of a bracket system or, in other words, braces. There are a great many varieties of them. They are divided according to the type of material from which they are made, into the following types:
- Metal.
- Ceramic.
- Sapphire.
According to the type of installation, braces are divided into the following types:
- Lingual (composites are attached to the inside of the teeth).
- Vestibular (composites are attached from the outside).
According to the method of fastening, braces are distinguished as follows:
- Ligature (the arch itself is glued to the teeth).
- Ligatureless (locks are glued to the teeth, through which the arc is already passed).
Now they practically do not use the ligature method of fastening due to the fact that under the arc it is difficult to clean out the remnants of food, and after removing the braces, a lot of tartar will probably remain, even carious lesions of the teeth are possible. Ligature-free installation of braces to correct bite in adults is painless and takes place in 3 stages:
- Glue "lock" directly on the tooth.
- Installing a support ring on them.
- Installing a power arc.
When correcting a crossbite in adults, crossbars are additionally attached.
Wearing period
After installation (about a week later), the teeth will begin to “move”. This can bring quite serious pain. Sometimes you even have to take painkillers. But over time, the teeth will move less actively, so the pain will not be so unbearable, it will transform into ordinary discomfort.
The duration of adult bite treatment with braces depends on the individual, age and related problems. Usually this period takes from several months to several years. A more precise term for wearing a bracket system is individual and is set by an orthodontist. During this period, it is important to properly care for the oral cavity in order to avoid caries. The principles of dental care will be as follows:
- Rejection of food that canget stuck under braces (nuts, seeds).
- Rinse your teeth after every meal.
- Must purchase and regular use of a home irrigator.
- No chewing gums and toffee.
- Minimize sugar intake and avoid sugary drinks.
- Regular dental check-ups for caries.
When the braces have completed their task and "set" the teeth correctly, they must be removed. At this point, caries is often found on the teeth at the initial stage and a lot of tartar. All this must be treated and removed. Only after that you can proceed to the installation of retainers. If you refuse this stage, then all the wearing will go down the drain, and the teeth will soon again take the wrong position.
Retainers
Retainers are removable and non-removable. Made from both hard and soft materials. Fixed are always installed on the inner surface of the teeth, so they are almost invisible.
Fixed outwardly they are a small wire that is attached to the back of the teeth. That is why they are completely invisible to others. Removable retainers are mouthguards. Not everyone knows what it is.
Caps
Mouthguards, or otherwise aligners are usually worn only during sleep, but sometimes all the time. They are the most tightly fitting pads of soft material (usually silicone) for the upper and lower teeth. In shape, this design exactly repeats the shape of the teeth with the correct bite. Custom-made mouthguards are the most effective, as the design used by one person is ideal for only him.
In addition to performing the function of removable retainers, mouth guards are also a bite correction without braces in adults and children. This method is perfect for those whose bite is still in the process of active formation, that is, children and adolescents up to 16 years of age. In their case, you can often do without braces at all.
Wearing a mouth guard to correct an overbite in adults will be a rather ineffective method for serious deviations if used as the main one. But to maintain the effect achieved with the help of more effective methods (braces), mouthguards are indispensable.
The number of ways in which an overbite can be made is wider in adults than in children. According to the method of manufacture, they are all divided into three types:
- Standard.
- Customized.
- Thermoplastic.
The best custom mouthguards, but they are quite expensive. But when used, they are as comfortable as possible, and the effect of wearing them comes faster. Children with their sensitive and growing jaws can only have these mouthguards.
The advantage of adult occlusion correction with standard-made aligners is the low cost of such designs, but they are not made to order, therefore they are not so effective, and often cause inconvenience when worn. Children such capscontraindicated.
The plus side of thermoplastic construction is that they are made in-house. They are made of special plastic, which, under the influence of hot water, becomes plastic for a while, and then hardens and takes the form of teeth. But these are not suitable for correcting the bite, since they only retain the already existing shape. Thermoplastic caps are actively used in home whitening and teeth remineralization systems.
Will the fix always work
Even many years of wearing braces and subsequent straightening of the teeth does not guarantee that the problem is solved forever. There are cases when the problem is deeper, and the incorrect position of the teeth is not a cause, but a consequence. Then the straightened teeth will eventually take the previous incorrect position.
In some cases, it is necessary to resort to surgical correction of malocclusion in adults, that is, orthognathic surgery. It is quite difficult, followed by a long rehabilitation period. Therefore, it is advisable only in extreme cases.
Often, dentistry to correct bite in adults and even children resorts to the extraction of he althy teeth. This is necessary when the jaw is too small for all the teeth to fit properly. In such cases, removal would be the lesser of the evils. Immediately after the operation to remove the teeth, the picture will be rather deplorable - the teeth will still be crooked, gaps will appear. But over time this space will fill up, all the teethstand up straight.
Alternatively, you can maintain the result all your life with the help of caps.
How to avoid malocclusion
This is something parents should think about immediately after the birth of their baby. The following 5 rules must be followed:
- Breastfeed whenever possible.
- Replace the bottle with a cup as early as possible if formula feeding.
- Avoid complications from colds.
- Go to the dentist on time.
- At the stage of bite formation (even in the absence of complaints), periodically undergo diagnostics and an orthodontist.
If you follow these rather simple rules, you can avoid quite serious financial expenses and physical suffering in the future.
