Dental Malocclusion: What Is It And How Is It Treated?
Dental malocclusion is a rather frequent alteration in the bite. The upper teeth of the mouth cover the lower ones and protrude far forward.
In some cases the intensity of the malocclusion can be slight, so much so that only the dentist is able to detect it, but it can also be so pronounced that the person cannot completely close the lips because the upper teeth protrude.
For those who suffer from it, it can mean an aesthetic problem to be corrected. However, it doesn’t just come down to a cosmetic issue, because if not treated properly, it can cause serious health problems.
In this article we present the causes and complications of this disorder, but also the treatment alternatives to correct it according to the age of the patient. Read on to find out more about so-called “rabbit teeth”.
Types of dental malocclusion
As already mentioned, dental malocclusion consists in an alteration in the relationship of the upper teeth with respect to the lower ones. There are several types:
- Horizontal : There is more space than usual between the edge of the upper incisors with the outside (vestibular) of the lower incisors. When it comes to biting, the upper teeth outgrow the lower ones by more than 2 millimeters, which is the usual horizontal distance. Thus, the superiors are in front of the inferiors.
- Vertical : Also called a deep bite, it occurs when the upper incisors cover more than 40% of the lower incisors. If the distance from the edge of the upper to the lower ones is greater than 2 millimeters, we are already in the presence of this alteration.
- Mixed : it is a combination of the previous two. The upper incisors are further forward and cover the lower teeth too much.
What are the causes of dental malocclusion?
The inappropriate position of the upper teeth relative to the lower teeth can be due to several reasons. The most common are:
Genetics and heredity
Some cases of dental malocclusion have a clear hereditary origin. In general, this condition occurs in several members of the same family who are born with a small jaw or a very large upper jaw.
Dysfunctional habits
Some repetitive and non-functional habits of the child can affect the development and growth of his bones and the position of his teeth. The following habits give rise to malocclusion:
- Thumb sucking : The habit of thumb sucking is a dysfunctional habit that tries to reproduce the gesture of breastfeeding. These repetitive movements and the pressure generated by the finger can lead to abnormal development of the palate and movements of the teeth that are positioned at the wrong angle.
- Pacifier use : This is another bad habit that can cause malocclusion problems. After 2 years of age, this habit causes alterations.
- Push the tongue to the teeth: The pressure of the tongue against the teeth pushes them forward. This habit usually causes another type of malocclusion called an open bite and also causes severe anatomical changes, such as swollen adenoids and tonsillitis, difficulty swallowing properly, stress and sleep disturbances.
Tooth defects
The lack of teeth, the presence of too many teeth, a lot of space between them and dental crowding can cause alterations. This can affect the correct position of the incisors, causing dental malocclusion.
Tumors and cysts
The presence of a cyst or tumor in the bone changes the position of the teeth, altering their correct alignment. The existence of a lump or the growth of hard or soft tissue in the upper part of the mouth can move the incisors forward causing malocclusion.
Possible complications
Rabbit teeth do not only affect the aesthetics of the person who suffers from them. They also alter other functions of the mouth causing several problems:
- Speech disorders : makes it difficult to pronounce phonemes involving the upper incisors and lips.
- Respiratory problems.
- Difficulty biting, chewing and eating properly.
- Damage to other teeth : wear of the enamel, increased risk of tooth decay, gingivitis and dental fractures.
- Change the look of the face.
- Pain in the temporomandibular joint, head and neck.
Treatments
The aim of the treatment will be to correct the imbalance between the upper and lower arches, in order to obtain a more aesthetic and functional bite that improves the patient’s quality of life.
Under no circumstances should you try to move your teeth. The application of force on the teeth to correct their position should only be done by the dentist. Trying to do this at home on your own is very risky and can further damage your teeth.
Correction of malocclusion will depend on when it is performed, on whether it is a child, adolescent or adult patient, on the severity of the problem and on the underlying cause. A dental technician will evaluate all these aspects and propose the best solution. Treatments can be surgical or non-surgical.
Surgical treatment for dental malocclusion
This treatment is preferred when the problem of dental malocclusion is serious and cannot be solved with orthodontics. It is usually done in adult patients where the bone has already stopped growing.
In these cases the origin is due to a bone problem and surgery is the only possibility to give a correct relationship to the upper and lower jaw. During surgery, the upper bone is moved back or the lower jaw forward, as appropriate.
Additionally, combination with anterior and posterior fixed orthodontics will be required to complete the treatment. In cases where the malocclusion is due to lack of space, some teeth will be extracted to reposition the others.
Non surgical
Orthodontic treatment, i.e. braces for the teeth, is the first option to correct the problem. The choice of which method to use will depend on the age, origin and severity of the case.
Some alternatives are as follows:
- Interceptive orthodontics : these are appliances for children between 6 and 11 years old. They are used to guide and correct the growth of the jaw bones while they are still developing. Early treatment allows you to achieve a correct ratio of both bones to each other and avoid more difficult, traumatic, time-consuming and expensive solutions in the future. To correct the malocclusion, palatal expanders are used, which adhere to the molars and have a screw that gradually separates the two parts.
- Braces : Fixed braces are useful for correcting malocclusion in both adolescents and adults. The appliances induce dental movements that allow greater harmony between the upper and lower teeth.
- Invisalign : This is an alternative orthodontic treatment with invisible and removable braces. Both teenagers and adults can use it. It consists in the use of a series of transparent aligners made for each patient that generate the movements of the teeth. The aim is to align them and position them correctly, obtaining a result similar to that obtained with the appliances , but in a more aesthetic way.
Can dental malocclusion be avoided?
There are some factors that predispose to the onset of dental malocclusion and which cannot be avoided. For example, if there are already alterations in the way you bite in your family, it is good to consult your dentist as soon as possible to address the issue in time.
It is also necessary to carry out checks during childhood, especially with regard to bad habits that favor the appearance of this problem and aggravate it. Avoiding prolonged use of the pacifier and bottle, preventing thumb sucking and pushing the tongue over the teeth will help prevent malocclusion.
Early and regular visits to the dentist are always the best way to detect any problems. Consult the dentist first from the first year of the child and the dental technician from the age of 6 allows you to deal with any alterations early. This also avoids more expensive and complicated treatments in the future.
