A dental malocclusion simply means an incorrect bite. It may also present with crowding, spacing and teeth which stick out or are tucked inwards. Your dental practitioner can detect these problems during a check up and may refer your to an orthodontist for early or comprehensive treatment.
Common dental malocclusions:
- Excessive overjet (Class II) aka “overbite” – the top teeth stick out further relative to the lower teeth
- Anterior crossbite (Class III) aka “underbite” – the top teeth are biting edge to edge or are further back relative to the lower teeth
- Deep bite – the upper front teeth overlaps the lower teeth excessively
- Open bite – the upper and lower front teeth do not touch
- Posterior crossbite – the upper teeth are biting inward relative to the lower teeth
The importance of treating a malocclusion:
Malocclusion can cause multiple issues such as an unaesthetic smile, psychological (bullying) concerns, trauma to the gums, inability to chew foods properly, speech difficulties, difficulties to maintain oral health and more.
Malocclusions should be treated at the ideal ages and your dental practitioner may choose to refer you or your child to an orthodontist at a young age for early treatment or growth modification as some issues are better managed at a younger age. Alternatively, adults are also suitable for treatment as there is no age limit for orthodontic treatment.
Watch the video below for further information.
