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Malocclusion
and TMJ PROBLEMS
Malocclusion means "bad bite." It’s
when upper and lower teeth are not meeting correctly, or when teeth and
jaws are not positioned for good dental health. This condition affects
jaw growth, speech development, facial appearance, gum tissue health and
the ability to clean teeth properly.
What causes this condition?
Many malocclusions are inherited. This includes
crowding of teeth, too much space between teeth, extra or missing teeth,
or irregularities in the jaws, face and teeth.
Malocclusions can also be environmental in nature,
caused by accidents, thumb sucking or sucking on a pacifier, obstruction
by tonsils and adenoids, dental disease, or premature loss of primary
(baby) teeth.
Why is treatment important?
If treatment is delayed or not taken, many problems
get worse and more complicated (and expensive) to remedy. Malocclusion
can cause excessive wear of tooth enamel, poor chewing, stress on both
the gums and jawbone which support the teeth, chronic headaches, and
facial and neck pains. Correcting the malocclusion can improve overall
oral health and eliminate other potential problems.
Does the treatment involve removal of some teeth?
Sometimes when permanent teeth are crowded and
their spacing and proper positioning is being affected by the primary
teeth, removing primary (baby) teeth is necessary. Otherwise, the
severely crowded permanent teeth
will either remain "stuck" (impacted) and
unable to erupt, or they will erupt in an undesirable position.
Treatment of a malocclusion involves a thorough
evaluation of your child’s specific condition by a dentist and/or
orthodontist. This may include recommendations for removal of some
primary or permanent teeth because some malocclusions cannot be treated
successfully without doing so. Extraction of some teeth in severely
crowded conditions enhances proper alignment, function and appearance,
too.
How is a diagnosis of a malocclusion performed?
Each child’s specific condition dictates the
diagnostic procedures, but they often include several or all of the
following:
·
Clinical exam
·
Medical and dental history
·
Impressions of the teeth for making plaster models
·
Photographs of the face and teeth to provide a record of
the child’s facial appearance prior to treatment
·
Panoramic X-rays showing all the upper and lower teeth in
biting position, and teeth that are not yet visible
·
Lateral (cephalometric) X-ray of the entire head showing
the relationship of the teeth and jaws to the face and skull
How long does treatment take?
Each condition is unique and must be treated
individually. The actual time is dependent on the growth of the
child’s mouth and face, the severity of the problem and the
cooperation of the child in following instructions. Mild correction
problems or early treatment may take only a few months. Treatment for
more complex malocclusions range from one to three years.
An attractive smile, proper alignment, and healthy
teeth are valuable rewards gained from a custom-designed treatment
program made for smile after smile!
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