Few people have a perfectly aligned smile, whether it’s a slight gap between teeth or a severe crossbite. We all have our quirks. You’re in luck if you’re one of the many grownups who is bothered by a dental misalignment and looking for a teeth-straightening treatment because research has made aligning your teeth much easier these days.
A study was done on patients with different cases of malocclusion to determine which cases require the most severe treatment. The patients were divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III. Except for Class II cases, the study revealed that the requirement for orthodontic treatment is necessary for all malocclusions cases. General dentists prefer orthognathic surgery for both surgery and facemask instances in Class III cases.
What is Malocclusion?
Overbite, underbite, crossbite, and overcrowding are all symptoms of malocclusion, which is the medical word for misaligned teeth. Chewing, biting, and speaking become more difficult when the teeth become misaligned, but an orthodontist is specifically educated in treating all forms of malocclusions and can efficiently fix the way your teeth line up in the jaw. Orthodontic treatment entails using a number of instruments and techniques to realign the misaligned jaw and crooked teeth.
Before looking at how to treat malocclusions, we must first understand what the different classes are, as mentioned above. Below we will discuss the three different classes of Malocclusion:
Class 1 Malocclusion
An overlap of the upper teeth over the lower teeth is classified as a Class 1 malocclusion. It occurs as a result of chronic bottle use or thumb sucking as a child. However, it has a modest impact on your bite and can be corrected with minor malocclusion treatment. There are three types of malocclusion in class one. In type 1, the teeth slant toward the tongue. Lower teeth are inclined towards the tongue in type 2, and upper teeth protrude in narrow arches. The upper teeth are crowded and tilt towards the tongue in type 3 malocclusion.
Class 2 Malocclusion
In a malocclusion of class 2, the upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth. However, this malocclusion of teeth is severe enough to have a substantial impact on your bite. It necessitates early orthodontic treatment. It may take some time for malocclusion treatment to fix your teeth’ alignment. However, it is treatable indefinitely. There are two types of Class 2 malocclusion. In division 1, the upper teeth tilt toward the lips. The upper central incisors in division 2 tilt toward the tongue.
Class 3 Malocclusion
A Class 3 malocclusion is an underbite in which the lower teeth protrude over the upper teeth. When some upper teeth and lower teeth overlap, it’s called a crossbite. The alignment of the teeth divides Class 3 malocclusion into three categories. Teeth of type 1 produce an unusually formed arch. The lower front teeth in type 2 malocclusion are inclined towards the tongue. Type 3 has an irregular upper arch and top teeth that are inclined towards the tongue.
How To Treat Malocclusion
According to Matthew B. Harrison, DDS dental braces are commonly used to correct a malocclusion. Before deciding on the best course of treatment, the orthodontist takes panoramic X-rays, ocular evaluations, and bite impressions of the entire mouth. If overcrowding is clearly the source of malocclusion, the orthodontist may decide that extraction is the only method to free up enough space for the realignment.
However, if you have an underbite, crossbite, or overbite, there are a variety of orthodontic appliances to choose from. Smile Prep breaks down the different treatment options for each of the most common types of malocclusions in this free resource:
- Braces
Braces are one of the most well-known and well-established malocclusion treatments. In some cases, teeth must be extracted before braces treatment can begin in children and teenagers. Braces correct your smile and bite by straightening your teeth and jaw. Metal, ceramic, or lingual braces may be recommended by your orthodontist. It will be determined by the severity of your malocclusion.
- Removable Devices like Retainers
The simplicity of removable orthodontic devices makes them popular for malocclusion therapy. They are usually created to order for you. Retainers and headgears are examples of removable devices. Retainer trays help to keep teeth aligned after braces or other orthodontic treatments. The length of treatment is determined by the severity of the aberrant bite.
- Home Teeth Straightening Kits
SmileDirectClub, Byte, and Invisalign offer at-home teeth straightening kits that can assist in correcting malocclusion, including underbite, open bite, overbite, and crossbite. It’s a set of aligner trays made of clear plastic. As a result, it is not visible to others. These are removable equipment that must be worn for 20-22 hours every day.
Final Thought
Orthodontic therapy normally takes up to two years, however, it may take longer in the case of an adult. If you are an adult and your orthodontist recommends jaw surgery, you should seek a second opinion to ensure that you make the best option possible.