Download TYPES OF MALOCCLUSION

Crooked
TEE
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Having crooked teeth or a poor bite is also known as malocclusion.
It happens when the lower and upper jaws aren’t aligned correctly.
Everyone has malocclusions to some extent, but most of them are not serious enough to require
treatment. The more serious forms of malocclusion should be diagnosed and treated early, as they
can affect your oral health and your overall health.
CA U S E S
There is no single cause of malocclusion. Many different
factors are involved, including genetic and environmental
factors. Problems with crooked teeth may run in families. A
common cause of malocclusion is teeth that have too much
or too little room in the jaw. For example, if a child has a
small jaw, the teeth try to grow into a space that’s too small.
This may cause teeth to grow out of place.
Other causes of crooked teeth include childhood habits
such as thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, pacifier use and
bottle feeding. Premature tooth loss due to early childhood
tooth decay or sport injuries, and rare tumours of the jaw
and mouth can also cause crooked teeth.
S Y M P TO M S
In cases of moderate to severe malocclusion, some of the
symptoms include irregular teeth alignment, problems
chewing and biting food, trouble speaking, pain in the facial
muscles or jaw and abnormal appearance of the face.
D I AG N O S I S
A dentist usually checks for malocclusion in children during
regular dental visits. Dental x-rays, head or skull x-rays, or
facial x-rays may be required. Plaster or plastic molds of the
teeth are often needed. It’s important to start your child’s
dental visits early.
The Canadian Association of Orthodontists
recommends a visit to an orthodontist by seven
years of age, or earlier if the dentist finds any
problems with how the jaw is working or lined up.
T R E AT M E N T
Malocclusion is the most
common reason for
referral to an orthodontist.
Treatment of moderate
or severe malocclusion
makes cleaning teeth easier,
lessens the risk of tooth
decay and periodontal
diseases (i.e. gingivitis or
periodontitis) and reduces
strain on the teeth, jaws and
muscles. It also decreases
the risk of tooth breakage
and may reduce symptoms of
temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
disorders.
TYPES OF ION
M A LO C C L U S
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M a lo cc lu si o n s ca
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.
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called overbite
CL ASS 2 - also
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et
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known as
CL ASS 3 – also
lower jaw
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lower jaw and
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the upper
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF METHODS FOR TREATING MALOCCLUSIONS. YOUR DENTIST
OR ORTHODONTIST WILL DETERMINE WHICH METHOD WILL WORK BEST FOR YOU.
• BRACES: This is the most common type of treatment. Braces put gentle
pressure on teeth to help move them into the right position. They include
brackets, bands and arch wires which are made of metal. The brackets and
elastics can also be clear, tooth-coloured or multi-coloured.
• I NVISALIGN® ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE SYSTEM: This treatment
uses a series of custom-made, clear orthodontic appliances, called aligners.
Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks and helps to move the teeth in
small steps to the preferred final position.
• HEADGEAR: This treatment uses an appliance that fits around the head or
neck. It’s used to guide the direction of tooth movement and jaw growth in
someone who’s still growing.
•R
EMOVABLE APPLIANCES: These can be used to move a tooth or a group
of teeth. They can be worn before braces are put on, with braces or on their
own. The solution is dependent on the problem that is being treated.
•R
ETAINERS: These are used to keep teeth in the right place once braces have
been removed. Retainers can be attached to the teeth or may be removable.
•O
RAL SURGERY: Tooth removal may be required if teeth are crowded or
are badly out of position. Jaw surgery may be needed when there are major
differences in the size or position of the upper and lower jaws.
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
• Some dental benefit plans cover or partially cover braces
and other types of orthodontic treatments. Before you start
treatment, make sure you check with your employer or
insurance company to confirm your coverage.
• Proper brushing and flossing is very important as plaque can
easily build up around the edges of your braces. Visit
http://cao-aco.org/ORTHODONTICINFO/oralhygiene.asp
for tips on oral hygiene.
• Orthodontic treatments take time. The amount of time will
depend on your age, the type of problem and what treatments
are used. It takes longer to treat adults than children or
teenagers.
© Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, January 2015.
KEY REFERENCES:
Canadian Association of Orthodontics. (n.d.). Facts and information. Retrieved from http://cao-aco.org/ORTHODONTICINFO/facts.asp
American Association of Orthodontics. (2008). All about orthodontics. Retrieved from https://www.aaomembers.org/Resources/upload/All_About_Orthodontics-l.pdf
Canadian Association of Orthodontics. (2011).Orthodontics. Retrieved from http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/procedures/orthodontics/index.asp
Peres, K.G., Barros, A., Peres, M.A., & Victora, C.G. (2007). Effects of breastfeeding and sucking habits on malocclusion in a birth cohort study. Rev. Saúde Pública, 41, 343-350.
If you have any concerns about the
appearance or function of your jaw and
teeth, or those of your children, consult your
dentist. They will be able to recommend
an orthodontist if he or she observe any
problems. Expressing your concern early
may help cut down on treatment time and
get you the smile you want sooner!