Malocclusion (Bad Bite)
In order to understand Malocclusion, let us first understand Occlusion.
Occlusion refers to the alignment and spacing of the teeth and the
way in which the upper and lower teeth fit together. Ideally, the
upper teeth fit slightly over the lower teeth. Proper alignment
of teeth prevents undue force from being placed on just a few teeth
and keeps the lips, cheeks, and tongue away from the biting surfaces.
Malocclusion literally means "poor closing" or "bad
bite." Malocclusion is an abnormal alignment of the upper and
lower jaws that prevents the teeth from meeting properly. If the
teeth are maloccluded (out of alignment), undue strain is placed
on some of the teeth, which may fracture portions of the crown or
loosen the teeth.
A bad bite (malocclusion) can be caused by several factors:
Dental
malocclusion Class I Malocclusion:
A dental malocclusion occurs when the teeth are not lined up
properly as they are crooked, crowded and/or turned. In this
your bite is otherwise fine due to the jaws being properly aligned,
your top teeth line up with your bottom teeth.
Skeletal
malocclusion Class II Malocclusion:
A skeletal malocclusion occurs when your upper and lower jaws
don’t line up properly. Your upper teeth stick out past
your lower teeth. This is also called an "overbite"
or "buck teeth".
Skeletal
malocclusion Class III Malocclusion:
A skeletal malocclusion where your lower jaw protrudes. Your
lower teeth stick out past your upper teeth. This is also called
an "underbite".
Proper Occlusion
A beautiful smile where all of your teeth are straight
and your top teeth line up with your bottom teeth.
Causes
A common cause of malocclusion is disproportion between jaw size and
tooth size or between the size of the upper and lower jaws. These
differences can result in the overcrowding of teeth and in an abnormal
bite. Another cause is loss of one or more teeth: When a tooth is
lost, nearby teeth tend to drift into the newly available space, moving
them out of alignment. If missing permanent teeth are not replaced
with implants, a bridge, or a partial denture, the adjacent teeth
can "tip" into the empty space and the opposing teeth can
"super-erupt" meaning they grow longer than is natural.
Malocclusion may have a hereditary component.
Bad
Habits
The teeth are not as fixed in place as one might think! A strong,
constant breeze can cause a tree to grow at an angle, instead of allowing
straight and upright growth. The few bad habits or repetitive forces
on your teeth can also cause them to become "out of alignment."
Tongue thrusting (pushing your tongue against the back of your
teeth) can slowly, but surely, move your teeth out of alignment.
Fingernail biting, or habitually biting or chewing on most objects,
due to psychological reasons can cause worn teeth.
Mouth breathing: Breathing primarily through your mouth instead
of your nose habitually or prolonged, unattended nasal problems
can dry out the tissues of your mouth leading to swollen and irritated
gums. Also, the unnatural jaw alignment of mouth breathing creates
and imbalance that can lead to a malocclusion.
Grinding Teeth (Bruxism)
Severe cases of grinding teeth (bruxism) can also change the occlusion.
Most people who grind their teeth do so in their sleep and therefore
may be quite unaware of the growing problem. The muscles that move
the jaw are very powerful and can do major damage to the teeth when
the biting surfaces don't fit together properly. This can lead to
even more severe wear or it may crack off a cusp or split the tooth
or create a microscopic chipping away close to the gum line to form
a deep groove in the tooth. This is called an abfraction.
Missing Teeth
Another cause is loss of one or more teeth: When primary
(baby) teeth that are prematurely lost due to decay or
injury, nearby teeth tend to drift into the newly available space,
moving them out of alignment. Less common causes of malocclusion include
misalignment of a jaw fracture, tumors of the mouth or jaw, etc. and
improper fitting of crowns, fillings, retainers, or braces.
Correcting a malocclusion
Of course, more than one of the above factors may be involved, so
it is important to obtain a professional evaluation. Left untreated,
a malocclusion not only affects the patient's appearance, it can also
lead to TMJ problems
and an increased risk of decay
and gum disease.
Occasionally, when an orthodontic appliance alone is not sufficient,
jaw surgery may be necessary. Other methods of treating malocclusion
include selective grinding of some teeth or building them up with
the use of crowns or other dental restorations.
The specialists on our panel will evaluate each individual case to
determine the best course of action to prevent or cure the malocclusion.
Visit our Orthodontics
and Braces
pages to learn more about how early detection of malocclusions in
children and the use of arch expanders can reduce and sometimes eliminate
the need for braces!
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Statutory Warning: The information is intended
to help you better understand dental conditions and procedures and should
not be construed as specific medical advice or recommendation. The general
information provided here is not a substitute for a consultation with the
dentists. Only personal discussion of your individual needs with a professionally
qualified doctor / dentist will determine the best method of treatment suitable
for you.
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