Orthodontic Problems and Causes for Crooked Teeth and Jaw Malocclusions
Whether we want it or not, our smile and the general aesthetic of our teeth and jaws have a great influence on how other people see us. For some, it won’t be something to worry about, while for others it will be their first defining characteristic when they meet someone new. According to WebMD, the position of your teeth is the result of your inherited genetics, so there’s little to nothing you can do to prevent them from happening. Fortunately, once your teeth are set, there are many ways to get you a perfect smile.
Why Should You Get Your Teeth Straightened?
Ranging from difficulty in maintaining proper oral health and unnecessary wear and tear on your teeth to outright self-esteem issues, a lack of straightened teeth can have a great negative impact on many aspects of someone’s life.
Having crooked teeth can make it much more difficult to brush and floss properly, which then leads to bacteria and food particle build-up, which in turn leads to plaque accumulation. When plaque is left undisturbed it will eat away the enamel of your teeth and can cause infections, cavities, gum disease, and even complete tooth loss.
For both kids and adults, their smile is an integral part of building relationships with others. When that smile is incredibly different from their peers or is the main cause of a speech impediment, it can make them insecure and lack confidence in themselves. For this reason alone, many people opt for corrective orthodontics.
What Are the Types of Orthodontic Problems?
As mentioned before, crooked teeth, or the misalignment between your top and bottom rows of teeth, can cause more wear and tear on some teeth than others. Thus, making them more prone to chipping or breaking in an accident during their daily activities. Everett Orthodontists refer to these misalignments on your teeth as malocclusions.
Malocclusions are more common than you may think, and sometimes they don’t require intervention. The more serious cases, however, do mostly require some kind of orthodontic treatment, be it regular metal braces, Invisalign, corrective surgery, or, in the more severe situations, a combination of surgery and orthodontic treatment.
Class I
Class 1 malocclusion is a very common type of malocclusion in which your upper teeth protrude further over your lower row of teeth. Usually, its effects won’t be too noticeable and you’re able to fix it with some minor orthodontic treatment. A malocclusion of class 1 can be one out of three types. In type 1 teeth tend to lean towards the inside of the patient’s mouth. Type 2 occurs when only the lower teeth lean inward, while the upper teeth go in the opposite direction. Lastly, type 3 happens when a patient has a crowded top row of teeth and they’re leaning inward.
Class II
A class 2 malocclusion, or overbite, is a more severe case of a class 1 malocclusion, meaning that your upper teeth protrude significantly over the rest. As it protrudes more than the previous malocclusion, Class 2 does impact negatively your bite to a point when the sooner there is an intervention the better. Fortunately, it is treatable with both regular braces and clear aligners, although the process may take longer when compared to the treatment for a class 1 malocclusion.
Similar to the first type of malocclusion, class 2 malocclusion separates into two groups. For division 1, the upper row of teeth leans outwards. In division 2, the front teeth on the top row lean inward.
Class III
Class 3 malocclusion, commonly known as an underbite, is a type of bad bite where the patient’s lower teeth and jaw protrude forward over the upper teeth. This type of malocclusion can cause speech impediments and its corrective treatment often uses a mix of Everett orthodontic treatment like braces or Invisalign and corrective surgery.
How Effective Is Invisalign Fixing Misaligned Teeth?
Invisalign, and clear aligners technology itself, have come a long way since its invention in the 1990s. Sometime ago clear aligners were not able to fix class II or class III malocclusions, but now thanks to various advances throughout the years they are capable of fixing almost as many problems as regular metal braces. The only difference is that clear aligner allow for a much easier cleaning routine and are almost invisible.
Invisalign is capable of treating permanently most cases of misaligned teeth, malocclusions, and gaps between teeth. In some cases, clear aligners can even complete the Everett orthodontic emergency treatment faster than braces and have the same result. Extreme cases of any of the mentioned orthodontic problems, however, may need a different treatment than Invisalign given that aligners don’t generate as much pressure as other appliances.
In Need of Orthodontic Treatment in Everett?
If you require emergency Invisalign treatment in Everett, are looking to get the smile of your dreams, or are simply wondering what orthodontics near me are available, contact us at Silver Lake Orthodontics. Here we’ll be glad to help you with whatever problem or question you may have regarding your or your family’s dental health.