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Dental Health…MALOCCLUSIONS – CROOKED TEETH
By Dr. Neromini Fagu
Occlusion in dental terms refers to how your teeth are aligned in your mouth. Ideally, your teeth should fit easily in your mouth without any crowding or spacing issues. Also, none of your teeth should be rotated or twisted. 
Abnormalities from ideal occlusion are known as malocclusion which translates to “bad bite”. Your bite refers to the way your top and bottom teeth fit together when you close your mouth such as in chewing or biting. For a normal bite, the top set of teeth slightly overlaps the lower teeth and there are no crowding, spacing or rotating issues.
Causes of Malocclusion
The most common cause of malocclusion is genetics, meaning that it is usually an inherited condition which can be passed down from one generation to the next. However, some conditions or habits may also change the shape and structure to the jaw leading to malocclusions and these include:
- Thumb sucking in early childhood
- Frequent use of a pacifier after the age of three
- Prolonged use of bottle feeding in early childhood
- Development of abnormally shaped or impacted teeth
- Premature extraction of baby teeth causing bad alignment of adult teeth
- Serious injuries that result in the misalignment of the jaw
- Cleft lip and palate
- Tumors in the mouth or jaw
- Improperly fitting dental fillings, crowns, or braces
- Airway obstruction (mouth breathing), potentially caused by allergies or by enlarged adenoids or tonsils
Symptoms of Malocclusion
Depending on the classification of malocclusion, the symptoms of the disorder may be mild or severe and may include:
- Improper alignment of the teeth
- Discomfort when chewing or biting
- Frequent biting of the inner cheeks or tongue
- Speech problems, including the development of a lisp
- Alteration in the appearance of the face
- Breathing through the mouth rather than the nose
Diagnosing Malocclusions
Orthodontists are dental specialists who are trained to diagnose and treat malocclusions. The orthodontist will conduct an exam and carry out dental x-rays to determine if your teeth are properly aligned. Malocclusion was first classified by Edward Angle, the father of modern orthodontics, into three major classes.
Class 1 malocclusion is diagnosed when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. In this type of malocclusion, the bite is normal and the overlap is slight. Class 1 malocclusion is the most common classification of malocclusion.
Class 2 malocclusion is diagnosed when a severe overbite is present. This condition is known as retrognathism and indicates that the upper teeth and jaw significantly overlap the lower teeth and jaw.
Class 3 malocclusion is diagnosed when there’s a severe underbite. This condition is called prognathism and occurs when the lower jaw protrudes forward causing the lower teeth to overlap the upper teeth and jaw.
Treatment of Malocclusion
Treatment will depend on the type of malocclusion you have. Most people with mild malocclusionwill not require any treatment. For severe conditions your dentist will refer you to an orthodontist. If the condition is treated early in childhood it may take less time and be less expensive. If treated in adulthood, treatment it will generally be more expensive and take longer. Some of the various treatment methods include:
- Removal of teeth to correct overcrowding
- Braces to correct the position of the teeth
- Reshaping, bonding, or capping of teeth
- Wires or plates to stabilize the jaw bone
- Surgery to reshape or shorten the jaw
Unfortunately, preventing malocclusion is difficult because it is mostly an inherited condition but early detection may help to reduce the severity of treatment needed. Parents of young children need to look at habits like pacifier use and thumb sucking which contribute to the condition. Also, children should practice good oral hygiene at a young age to avoid premature extraction of their baby teeth.
For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to [email protected].
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