Types of Malocclusion
Here, we highlight some of the more common teeth problems faced by many people today. If your teeth resemble any of the following, you should learn about the various braces that will help you correct these problems.
Spacing
Spacing may be present due to the following scenarios:
- Presence of smaller teeth or larger jaws
- Congenitally missing teeth
- Loss of teeth due to extractions or trauma
It may be unaesthetic and increases the risks of food trap between teeth that may lead to decay in the future.
Crowding
Crowding may be present due to the following scenarios:
- Presence of larger teeth or smaller jaws
- Over-retained baby teeth
- Presence of supernumeraries (extra tooth)
It is more difficult to brush and floss the teeth when there is crowding, hence increasing the risks of food trap between teeth that may lead to decay in the future.
Protruding teeth (Overjet)
Teeth that protrude out are unaesthetic and may lead to speech problems. It increases the risks of trauma to the front teeth too.
This is usually due to teeth overcrowding and can be easily corrected with braces and extractions.
Deep Bite (Overbite)
Deep bite causes trauma to the soft tissue behind the upper front teeth and that may lead to ulceration and pain.
It is advisable to correct the deep bite so that the soft tissue will not be injured when you bite.
Open Bite
Open bite can be due to habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. It can be associated with skeletal discrepancies such as a steep lower jaw.
This may cause difficulty in speech and the ability to chew efficiently.
It is advisable to correct the bite and change the habits so that you can chew and digest better.
Cross Bite
Cross bite can be due to malpositioning of teeth or it can be associated with skeletal discrepancies such as a longer lower jaw.
It is advisable to correct the crossbite so that you can eat better and it can decrease the risks of joint or muscle pain. By treating it early, you may be able to avoid jaw surgery in future.
