When there is a problem in the closing mechanism of the mouth, dental malocclusion appears.
Teeth must fit in a very specific way, since their care and attention are very important if we want to have a strong and healthy mouth. The bite must have a specific alignment, both the front and back of the jaw.
What do we call dental malocclusion? Causes and symptoms
We can define malocclusion as poor closure of the jaw. Or in a much more complex way: it is the irregularity in the contact and fit between the teeth of the upper jaw with those of the lower jaw. But what is the origin of dental malocclusion? Many studies affirm that the main cause of it is genetic, although there are other factors that can mitigate its appearance and must be taken into account:
Types of dental malocclusion
Dental malocclusion occurs according to a series of symptoms, many of which have to do with genetic inheritance or during childhood. We can classify the types of dental malocclusions as follows:
Vertical dental malocclusions:
- Open bite: the distance between the upper and lower incisors is greater than normal, leaving space between them.
- Overbite: The teeth on the upper arch will cover more than one-third of the lower arch when closed.
- Edge-to-edge bite: This happens when two incisors touch edge-to-edge when closed. The intersection point between the teeth of the upper and lower arch is 0 mm.
Transverse dental malocclusions:
Transverse malocclusions are caused by changes in the width of the jaws and/or anomalies in the inclination of the teeth.
- Crossbite: The upper arch is inside the lower arch. It is usually characterized by a very narrow jaw.
- Scissor bite: The upper arch is completely outside the lower teeth.
Sagittal dental malocclusions:
When we talk about sagittal dental malocclusions or in the anterior-posterior plane, we are referring to the following types, since they are abnormal:
- Class I malocclusion: This anomaly is usually the most common among patients, although the bite is correct and there is a normal relationship between the teeth, the bite line is incorrect due to dental malposition, crowding, rotation or other reasons. This also affects proper chewing and can cause cavities.
- Class II malocclusion: the upper arch is more advanced than the lower arch. It can happen in crowding or non-crowding situations.
- Class III malocclusion: the lower arch is located in front of the upper arch. It can occur with or without crowding.
At the Chagger Dental Clinic we are specialists in orthodontic and dental aesthetic treatments, since we offer you a solution adapted to your needs to improve your quality of life. If you need to improve your dental aesthetics and the complete functioning of your oral cavity, do not hesitate to contact us.