What is Malocclusion?

The clinical term for misaligned teeth is malocclusion, and it can lead to several oral health complications. A set of misaligned teeth would make it difficult for a person to perform the primary and vital oral functions such as biting, chewing, and speaking. However, dentists can help a person in remedying malocclusion effectively by correcting the teeth and lining them up in the jaw.

What Causes Malocclusion?

Malocclusion is typically a genetic condition, but some habits can cause changes in the shape and structure of the jaw. One of the common causes that leads to malocclusion is too much or too little space in the jaw for the teeth to erupt. Other reasons that lead to malocclusion are:

• Tooth loss
• Use of pacifier for a long time
• Thumb sucking
• Cleft lip and palate
• Trauma and injuries
• Tumours in the mouth
• Bottle feeding
• Impacted tooth
• Lack of oral hygiene and care
• Airway obstructed by enlarged adenoids or allergies

How Can You Identify Malocclusion?

Symptoms for malocclusion can range between mild, moderate, and severe, depending on the condition. Some of the common ways malocclusion can be identified are:

• Misaligned teeth
• Problem with speech
• Chewing or biting food is uncomfortable
• Breathing through mouth becomes difficult
• Biting on tongue and cheeks become quite frequent
• Facial structure changes

How Is Malocclusion Diagnosed?

A child is regularly checked for malocclusion from their first visit to the dentist onwards. If the jaw seems distorted or the teeth are out of line, our dentist will then examine the following:

• The medical history of the child
• Teeth and mouth
• Face and teeth x-rays

It is recommended from an early age that every child should have a dental checkup and start having regular visits to the dentist. This will allow the dentist to identify malocclusion problems from the beginning and treat it before it becomes a significant concern.

How Is Malocclusion Treated?

There are several ways in which malocclusion is treated depending on the condition.

• Overcrowding: The most common type of malocclusion among children. A space is created by removing the baby teeth so that the permanent teeth can erupt. At times the dentist might also recommend growth modification treatment in which a child is required to wear a device in the mouth so that the jaw shifts into a better position.
• Different Bites: For various bite issues, dentists recommend different types of braces that help in moving the teeth and aligning them in a better position to correct the bite.

For more details about how to identify and cure malocclusion, book an appointment with Chats Dental. We will help you with the issue and plan a treatment that can give you the best-aligned teeth.