Malocclusion is a medical term to describe an abnormal position or arrangement of the teeth and jaw. If it interferes with your appearance or interferes with daily activities, this condition can be overcome by installing braces or operation.
Mild malocclusion does not require any treatment. However, in severe malocclusion, the inner cheek, gums, or tongue are often bitten accidentally. Even in certain cases, malocclusion also makes it difficult for sufferers to speak and cause discomfort when chewing.
Causes of Malocclusion
Malocclusion is generally genetic, meaning that this condition can be passed from parents to children. However, there are some childhood habits that can change the jaw structure and cause malocclusion. Some of those habits are:
- Use a pacifier or bottle feed up to 3 years of age.
- Frequent thumb sucking.
- Improper dental care.
In addition to the habits above, malocclusion can also be caused by the following conditions:
- Excess number of teeth, abnormally shaped teeth, or missing teeth.
- Injury to the teeth or jaw.
- Oral tumors.
- Cleft lip or cleft palate.
The best way to find out the exact cause of the malocclusion is to see a dentist. The doctor will perform a physical examination and a series of tests to diagnose the condition of the malocclusion and determine the cause.
Types of Malocclusion
The dentist will examine the condition of your teeth and perform additional examinations, such as making dental impressions and dental X-rays, to determine whether your teeth are aligned or not. If they are not aligned, the malocclusion will be classified according to its type and severity.
Based on the type, malocclusion can be divided into 3 major classes, namely:
Class 1
The most common type of malocclusion. This condition is characterized by the upper teeth overlapping the lower teeth.
Grade 2
This type of malocclusion is also known as overbite, retrognathism, or sticks. Dentures are a condition in which the upper teeth and jaw are significantly more advanced than the lower jaw and teeth.
Grade 3
In this malocclusion, the lower jaw moves forward so that the lower teeth are more advanced than the teeth and upper jaw. In Indonesia, this condition is known as 'cameh'. But medically, class 3 malocclusion is called underbite or prognathism.
Class 1 malocclusion usually does not cause complaints. However, if the condition is severe, dental malocclusion or misalignment of the teeth can cause discomfort when biting or chewing food, a less symmetrical face, a tendency to breathe through the mouth, and frequent biting of the tongue or inner cheek.
How to Treat Malocclusion
Malocclusion that is classified as mild usually does not require special treatment. Treatment is more often done when the malocclusion suffered is severe and causes problems, such as difficulty in speaking or chewing food.
The doctor will choose a treatment method according to the type of malocclusion suffered. Some of the methods that can be used are:
- Installation of special wires or plates to strengthen or stabilize the jawbone.
- Extraction of certain teeth to correct the position of teeth that are too crowded.
- Installation crown teeth or dental crown.
- Surgery to shorten or correct the shape of the jawbone.
- Installation of braces.
Although the aim is to treat, these treatment methods also have the potential to cause side effects, namely irritation of the teeth and mouth, pain, and difficulty speaking and chewing. It is possible, teeth can also be damaged.
If the malocclusion you are experiencing is disturbing, both for speech, chewing, and appearance, you should consult a dentist for a dental examination and proper treatment.
