The Importance of Diagnosing and Treating Orthodontic Malocclusions

Protruding Teeth Westport

When people think of orthodontic treatment, they often associate it with having a pretty smile. We cannot argue this statement is true, but orthodontics goes far beyond having a beautiful smile. We can start by saying that orthodontics is mainly concerned with correction. Why is an orthodontic correction necessary? There are numerous reasons why orthodontic treatment is crucial.

First, orthodontic correction prevents several issues that negatively impact our health. Correction concerns anticipating variations of dental arches and the position of the jaws to align the facial and jaw structure.

For instance, not preventing and treating tooth misalignments might create difficult access angles in which small particles of food accumulate. Teeth misalignments also complicate proper brushing and flossing producing bacteria to accumulate.

Bacteria accumulation results in plaque buildup, cavities, gingivitis, and eventually losing one or more denture pieces. In consequence, orthodontic treatment prevents patients from having costly and painful interventions.

The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics includes a study on orthodontic screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea [OSP]. Also, the National Library of Medicine provides research on the relationships between orthodontic deformities and mastication affecting digestion.

Consequently, we have demonstrated that orthodontic treatment goes far beyond cosmetics, as it has an immense impact on a patient’s overall health. Next, we will discuss the most common orthodontic problems, the possibility of self-teeth accommodation, and how to solve an orthodontic issue.

Common Orthodontic Problems

There are several causes of orthodontic issues. However, two main bodies of cases relate to teeth misalignments and jaw displacements. Also, the type of treatment differs according to the severity of the cases.

Your team of board-certified orthodontists can plan minor interventions with removable appliances and sometimes with tooth extraction for mild cases of orthodontic problems. On the other hand, severe cases require surgical intervention and an orthodontic appliance. Here we include some of the most relevant orthodontic topics:

Protruding Teeth

Protruding tooth is a type of malocclusion. A malocclusion is an incorrect relationship between the maxilla (upper arch) and the mandible (lower arch) or a general misalignment of the teeth. Specifically, is a space difference between the upper teeth that extend out over the lower teeth.

To be considered protruding teeth, the space extends at least 2 millimeters. A list of different causes produces teeth to abnormally erupt and protrude, such as habits developed during infancy like thumb and pacifier sucking.

Another cause for teeth to protrude include tongue thrusting during adulthood. These factors develop abnormalities from habits. However, protruding teeth might also be hereditary.

Protruding teeth also include two more severe types of malocclusions. Overbite is the bite of the lower front teeth near the palate, and overjet occurs when the upper front teeth protrude beyond the bottom. So, how to fix protruding upper teeth?  You’ll just have to get in touch with an orthodontist and start your treatment with braces or aligners.

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth is an abnormal misplaced eruption of teeth.

Open Bite

Open bite is a complex biting condition where the front upper, and bottom teeth don’t touch.

Underbite

Underbite happens when the lower front teeth are in front of the upper teeth, making the jaw look prominent.

Diastema or Gap Teeth

Diastema is an excessive tooth spacing of teeth

How Can I Fix My Teeth at Home?

Here we have a definite and conclusive answer. Malocclusion problems are not possible to correct without professional diagnosis and supervision. Orthodontic professionals spend several years understanding the jaw and bone development dynamics.

Orthodontic training involves knowledge of the cranial structure, the physics of tooth displacement, and its effect on the maxillary and jaw bone. Therefore, performing any untrained action to provoke any sort of displacement of teeth can be harmful and produce unintended damaging consequences.

Sure, you can extrapolate the guiding principle of any orthodontic appliance and claim that you could straighten your teeth at home by pushing in exactly the right direction with sufficient force for long periods every day for months, but that wouldn’t be realistic. We are not machines, but we can use specially-designed appliances to achieve our goals.

How to Fix Problems With My Teeth?

Orthodontists have the expertise and know-how to safely and effectively move teeth and produce successful results. Orthodontists intervene in different forms according to the diagnosis of each case.

Depending on the severity of your case, orthodontic treatments include early intervention that takes preventive action starting at age seven and complementing it with braces.

Other cases require the use of orthodontic devices during early teen years. Finally, orthodontists develop orthodontic plans with aligners for adults.

Here we include some of the most used orthodontic devices and treatments used to accomplish teeth alignment objectives:

Invisalign Clear Aligner Trays

When discussing clear aligners, it is advantageous to talk about this kind’s most prominent appliance system. Invisalign combines a digital evaluation of cases in a single system and a more sensitive approach to aesthetics, oral hygiene, and time effectiveness.

The treatment consists of a set of clear trays that exert controlled pressure over teeth. The trays are a patented thermoplastic composite that gradually generates cuddly traction over teeth.

This innovative system is revolutionizing orthodontic treatment. However, Invisalign alone cannot solve severe malocclusion issues treated with conventional braces; you might require additional attachments that defeat the purpose of having a nearly invisible orthodontic appliance.

Conventional Braces

Conventional braces group different appliances. All types of dental braces possess specific characteristics. However, they pursue the same objective, to align teeth and accommodate the jaw.

Conventional braces include stainless-steel, tooth-colored ceramic clear braces, and lingual braces. All types of braces are composed of a set of brackets and wires. In some cases, orthodontists include elastics for specific cases.

A factor that accrues to distinguish among types of braces is its visibility. Even though braces intend to bring beautiful smiles, braces might not favor patients’ esthetics during treatment.

The differences among conventional braces can be observed predominantly from a cosmetic perspective.

Stainless-Steel Braces

Stainless-steel braces are the most visible appliances that make a mouth look full of metal. They are the most durable of orthodontic appliances and also the most affordable.

Tooth-Colored Ceramic Clear Braces

Tooth-colored braces are made of ceramic to mimic tooth color, making them less visible, and dissimulating their existence. They have first introduced to the market some decades ago thanks to the advancements obtained during the space-exploration programs!

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are one of the various discreet types of braces available to you. They are invisible because literally, no one can see them from the outside. An orthodontist adheres the brackets to the side that faces the tongue so the frontal part of the teeth remains as if no appliance exists.

Jaw Surgery

Orthognathic surgery refers to a procedure performed on the jaw. For example, severe protrusive malocclusions, which are foreseeable misalignments of the front teeth and a mislocated jaw, might require this kind of intervention.

Also, after the surgical procedure, orthodontists recommend the use of an orthodontic appliance which can be braces or clear aligners, once again depending on each case’s severity.