If such parameters as the degree of whiteness of the teeth and the absence of stains are an exclusively aesthetic moment, then an incorrect bite in adults and children can harm health in general. It is necessary to correct it.
What is a malocclusion?
This is an abnormal abutment of the upper and lower jaws in a calm state. It can cause displacement, grinding and suppuration of the teeth. The bite spoils most often in childhood. This has a direct effect on the functioning of the entire dentition. The main causes of this defect are the following:
- The structure of the jaw laid at the genetic level.
- Infections transmitted in childhood.
- Pathologies and diseases of the mother during pregnancy.
- Diseases of the skeletal system.
- Artificial feeding.
- Baby habit of sucking a finger or pacifier.
- Injury.
In most cases, the understanding that the bite needs to be corrected is visible with the naked eye, but sometimes the teeth look quite even outwardly. How to independently recognize that the bite is broken? To do this, you need to understand which bite is considered correct. Not all teeth should stand exactly on top of each other, but only molars. The fangs and incisors of the upper jaw should protrude slightly above the lower ones, but if this protrusion is slightly more or less than the norm, problems begin. Teeth themselves should not “look” in different directions.
However, the concept of norm is conditional here. In the case of a bite, it is an average indicator. This refers to the physiological bite, which allows the body to function properly. Almost the same position of the jaws and teeth in two different people can hardly be found. Almost all have small deviations. The difference lies in the fact that deviations do not interfere with one person and the teeth grow evenly, while in others the incorrect position of the jaws interferes with the normal formation of the teeth.
Types of bite pathologies are divided into the following:
- Cross.
- Open.
- Mesial.
- Deep.
- Dystopia.
Today, dentistry has stepped so far forward that in some cases even correction of bite without braces in adults is possible. The most common remedies to date are as follows:
- Various bracket systems.
- Mouthguards.
- Retainers.
An orthodontist will help diagnose the problem and help correct the bite (if necessary).
Diagnostics
In order not to waste money on unnecessary consultations, it is better to do an orthopantomogram on your own. This is a panoramic picture of the jaw, which shows the location of the teeth both inside and outside, as well as all the possible inflammatory processes that occur in the jaws and gums, all neoplasms. An orthopantomogram is also useful in order to visit a regular dentist before diagnosis, who will cure tooth decay and remove stones from the surface of the teeth, if necessary. Diseases of the oral cavity and stones when installing corrective products are unacceptable, so there is no point in going to the orthodontist with them.
When visiting a specialist, the course of diagnosis will be as follows:
- Visual inspection of the jaw with palpation.
- A recommendation to do or study an already completed orthopantomogram.
- Taking a mold from the jaw.
- Photographing the patient from the required angles, including his jaw and teeth.
Whether or not to undergo a similar diagnosis, the patient decides for himself. This is usually done if a person has suspicions that his bite is incorrect or as a preventive measure. It is much better if the first diagnosis is carried out in childhood, when the teeth are still very mobile.
Harm of malocclusion
Almost any malocclusion creates aesthetic discomfort. Because of it, the teeth begin to grow crooked, falling on each other, and due to inaccessibility during cleaning, they begin to become covered with yellow plaque and tartar. But the great danger lies in the fact that malocclusion in adults and children poses a direct threat to health. Here is a list of the most common problems that result in malocclusion:
- Speech defects.
- Asymmetry of the face.
- Digestion problems.
- Distortion of facial features, for example, jaw extended forward.
- Pinched facial nerves.
- Trouble breathing.
If the teeth are improperly positioned, the upper pressure on the lower is either insufficient or excessive, which causes periodontitis, caries and other diseases of the oral cavity.
Do not also forget about the harm of malocclusion from a psychological point of view. A person's self-esteem can be severely affected. He can choose a profession that is not suitable for him, which does not imply frequent communication with people. Improper bite affects appearance even when mouth is closed.
Correction of a deep bite in adults will entail a change in appearance for the better, lips will become more regular in shape, and the chin will become more defined.
Is it dangerous to correct a bite in childhood
The most appropriate seems to correct the bite at the stage of its formation, that is, in childhood. Many people want to do this right away, when it becomes clear that the bite is not forming correctly, because it is up to 14 years old that the bite is being formed actively. If you influence its formation precisely in this period, you can achieve the correct formation of the jaw itself.
To be more precise, the person has three stages of bite formation. At 14, the last is completed. It is preceded by a dairy phase, ending in about 5-7 years, and a shift, which will last up to about 12 years. At this stage, if the problem is not serious, even a regular tooth plate will help correct the bite. But from 12 to 14 the last stage will last - the permanent one.
Only a very good specialist can correct the bite with the help of the bracket system in a teenager without causing even more harm. In addition to knowledge, acquaintance with all advanced technologies and experience, he should have at his disposal high-tech equipment. Therefore, few people undertake such work in Russia. But foreign dentists also put braces on adolescents, since never correcting an occlusion in adults will bring such a quick and long-term result as correcting it in children under 14 years of age.
If there is a financial opportunity, it is better to turn to a highly qualified specialist in childhood. If this is not possible, then the correction of the bite in adolescence should be treated with caution.
Braces
One of the most popular and effective ways to correct occlusion in adults and children today is to install a bracket system or, more simply, braces. There are a great many varieties of them. They are divided by the type of material from which they are made into the following types:
According to the type of installation, the braces are divided into the following types:
- Lingual (composites are attached to the inside of the teeth).
- Vestibular (composites are mounted on the outside).
By the method of attaching braces, the following are distinguished:
- Ligature (the arch itself is glued to the teeth).
- Ligature-free (clasps are glued to the teeth, through which the arc is already threaded).
Nowadays, the ligature method of fastening is practically not used due to the fact that it is difficult to clean out food debris under the arc, and after removing the braces there will probably remain a lot of tartar, even carious tooth damage is possible. Ligature-free braces for adult occlusion correction is painless and takes place in 3 stages:
- Bonding the “lock” directly to the tooth.
- Installation of a support ring on them.
- Installing a power arc.
When correcting the cross bite in adults, cross arches are additionally attached.
Wearing period
After installation (about a week later) the teeth will begin to “move”. This can bring quite serious pain. Sometimes you even have to take painkillers. But over time, the teeth will not move so actively, so the pain will not be so unbearable, it transforms into ordinary discomfort.
The duration of bite treatment in adults with the use of braces depends on individual characteristics, age and associated problems. Usually this period takes from several months to several years. A more accurate period of wearing the bracket system is individual and is set by the orthodontist. During this period, it is important to properly care for the oral cavity in order to avoid caries. The principles of dental care will be as follows:
- Refusal of food that may be stuck under braces (nuts, seeds).
- Rinse teeth after each meal.
- Mandatory acquisition and regular use of a home irrigator.
- Complete rejection of chewing gum and toffee.
- Minimize the use of sweets and refuse sugary drinks.
- Regular diagnostics at the dentist for caries.
When the braces complete their task and "put" the teeth correctly, they must be removed. At this moment, often caries is found on the teeth at the initial stage and a lot of tartar. All this must be treated and removed. Only then can you begin installing the retainers. If you abandon this stage, then all wearing will go down the drain, and the teeth in the near future will again occupy the wrong position.
Retainers
Retainers are removable and non-removable. Made of both hard and soft materials. Non-removable are always installed on the inner surface of the teeth, so they are almost invisible.
Non-removable externally are a small wire that is attached to the back of the teeth. That is why they are completely invisible to others. And removable retainers are mouthguards. Not everyone knows what it is.
Capa
Mouthguards, or otherwise, eliners are usually worn only during sleep, but sometimes constantly. They represent the most closely fitting lining of soft material (most often silicone) for the upper and lower teeth. In shape, this design accurately repeats the shape of the teeth with the right bite. Individual mouthguards are most effective, since the design that one person uses is ideal only for him.
In addition to performing the function of removable retainers, mouthguards are also a correction of bite without braces in adults and children. This method is perfect for those who have a bite in the process of active formation, that is, children and adolescents under 16 years of age. In their case, it is often possible to do without braces at all.
Wearing a mouth guard for correcting malocclusion in adults will prove to be a rather ineffective method with serious deviations, if it is used as the main one. But to maintain the effect achieved with the help of more effective techniques (bracket system), mouthguards are indispensable.
The number of methods possible for the manufacture of cap for correcting occlusion in adults is wider than in children. By the manufacturing method, they are all divided into three types:
- Standard.
- Customized.
- Thermoplastic.
Individual caps are best, but they are quite expensive. But when used, they are as comfortable as possible, and the effect of wearing them comes faster. Children with their sensitive to changes and a growing jaw can only make such mouthguards.
The advantage of correcting the bite in adults with standard-made eliners is the low cost of such structures, but they are not custom-made, therefore they are not so effective and often cause inconvenience when worn. Such burls are contraindicated for children.
A plus thermoplastic design is that they are made at home. They are made of special plastic, which under the influence of hot water for a while becomes plastic, and then hardens and takes the form of teeth. But to correct the bite, these are not suitable, since they only retain the existing shape. Thermoplastic mouthguards are actively used in home whitening and remineralization systems.
Will the fix always be effective
Even wearing braces for many years and subsequent straightening of teeth does not guarantee that the problem is solved forever. There are cases when the problem is deeper, and the wrong arrangement of teeth is not a cause, but a consequence. Then the straightened teeth will eventually return to their previous incorrect position.
In some cases, it is necessary to resort to surgical correction of malocclusion in adults, that is, to orthognathic surgery. It is quite complex, followed by a long rehabilitation period. Therefore, it is advisable only in extreme cases.
Often dentistry, to correct occlusion in adults and even children, resort to the removal of healthy teeth. This is necessary when the jaw is too small to fit all the teeth on it correctly. In such cases, the removal will be the lesser of evils. Immediately after the operation to remove the teeth, the picture will be rather deplorable - the teeth will still be crooked, gaps will appear. But over time, this space will fill up, all teeth will stand upright.
As an option, you can maintain your result with your mouth guards all your life.
Avoiding malocclusion
Parents should think about this right after the birth of their baby. The following 5 rules must be observed:
- If possible, breast-feed a baby.
- As soon as possible, replace the bottle with a cup if artificial feeding.
- Avoid complications of colds.
- Timely visit the dentist.
- At the stage of bite formation (even in the absence of complaints) periodically undergo diagnostics and an orthodontist.
If you follow these fairly simple rules, you can avoid quite serious cash costs and physical suffering in the future.