Malocclusion sounds like a frightening disease, but it just means your teeth are not aligned properly. It needs to be treated because it can affect the bite, teeth cleaning, gum tissue health, jaw growth, speech development and appearance.
Causes
Malocclusion is most often hereditary. It is also caused by excessive thumb-sucking/pacifier use, mouth breathing and tooth loss.
Symptoms
- – Crooked or protruding teeth
- – Problems chewing food.
- – Problems with biting the cheek or roof of the mouth.
- – Speech problems.
- – Pain in the facial muscles or jaw.
- – Permanent teeth coming in at the wrong position.
Treatment
There are two different appliances used to treat malocclusion.
Functional appliances help correct the bone problems. They use the muscle action from speaking, eating, and swallowing to create forces that move teeth and align the jaws.
Fixed orthodontic appliances are sets of wires and brackets (braces) cemented to the teeth. Over a period of about 24 to 28 months, the wires are adjusted, gradually applying enough force to move the teeth.
If you or your children need malocclusion treatment, book an appointment with Dental Artist today.