To a lot of people, a beautiful smile is a balanced one. Straight teeth that fit together naturally are a dental goal for countless dentistry patients. Bad bite and malocclusion are the terms used to describe teeth that are misaligned. But what causes them?
What Does Malocclusion Look Like?
Malocclusion, or bad bite, is the condition of having misaligned teeth. Depending on the degree of misalignment, the consequences of malocclusion can range from cosmetic to difficulty chewing. The three primary classes of malocclusion are:
- Class 1: Diagnosed when the upper molars overlap with the lower molars in a good position, but the other teeth are crowded or spaced too far apart.
- Class 2: Diagnosed when someone has a severe overbite. In this type of malocclusion, the upper teeth and jaw significantly overlap with the lower teeth and jaw. This class typically happens when someone has a smaller than average jaw.
- Class 3: Malocclusion is diagnosed when someone has a severe underbite. In this type of malocclusion, the lower teeth overlap with your upper teeth. This type usually occurs because the lower jaw protrudes forward.
Causes of Malocclusion
Having a bad bite relation is usually genetic. Because poor bite alignment is often passed down generationally, there’s often not much that can be done behaviorally to prevent it. However, heredity isn’t the only cause of malocclusion. Some of the other factors that can contribute to bad bite include:
- Cleft lip and palate
- Frequent use of a pacifier after age 3
- Prolonged use of bottle feeding in early childhood
- Thumb sucking in early childhood
- Jaw injuries
- Tumors in your mouth or jaw
- Atypically shaped or impacted teeth
- Dental care resulting in improperly fitting dental fillings, crowns, or braces
- Airway obstruction (mouth breathing), potentially caused by allergies or by enlarged adenoids or tonsils
Solutions for Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth aren’t as aesthetically pleasing as straight and properly aligned ones. What kinds of treatments and procedures are there for people with malocclusion?
Patients suffering from misaligned teeth can benefit from:
- [link id=’81’ text=’Invisalign‘ esc_html=’false’]
- Jaw reshaping
- [link id=’53295′ text=’ControlledArch Orthodontics‘ esc_html=’false’]
- Dental appliances
Love Your Smile Again
One of the most common complaints people have about their smiles is that they’re not straight enough. For people looking to reclaim the beauty of their smile and enjoy showing their teeth in pictures again, call our offices at703-323-8200 or visit our contact form to [link id=’50003′ text=’schedule‘ esc_html=’false’] your appointment today.
