In orthodontic and maxillofacial surgery clinics, the word “malocclusion” often comes up during diagnosis. But what does malocclusion mean, exactly?
In this article, find out all about the causes and symptoms of malocclusion, its treatments and the consequences it can have if left untreated.
What is malocclusion?
In dental health, the term “occlusion” refers to the contact between a person’s teeth. More specifically, it refers to the way the upper and lower jaw meet when a person closes their mouth. The term “malocclusion” is used to indicate a misalignment.
The problems that cause malocclusion can be dental or skeletal in nature.
Dental malocclusion is a problem caused by widely spaced, overlapping or abnormally positioned teeth.
Skeletal malocclusion has more to do with the jawbones. In these cases, one of the jawbones protrudes farther forward than the other or is different in size, creating an misalignment.
Diagnosing and classifying malocclusions
Malocclusions can generally be diagnosed during routine dental exams that include taking dental x-rays to check whether the patient’s teeth are properly aligned. To get an even more accurate picture of the situation when the teeth are crooked, the patient can also be referred to a clinic that offers 3D radiology services.
If a dentist or maxillofacial surgeon finds a malocclusion, they will classify it according to type and severity. There are three major classes of malocclusions, which are categorized based on the contact between the first upper and lower molars (Angle’s classification).
Class 1 malocclusion
Class 1 malocclusions are the most common. Patients with class 1 malocclusions have molars that meet in the correct position, but their other teeth are either too crowded or too widely spaced. Class 1 malocclusions are usually dental in origin.
With this type of malocclusion, the jawbones meet normally and the misalignment of the teeth is not severe.
Class 2 malocclusion
A class 2 malocclusion, sometimes called retrognathism, is diagnosed when the patient’s upper jaw overhangs the lower jaw and the upper teeth are positioned farther forward than the lower teeth.
This can be caused by protruding upper front teeth or an underdeveloped lower jaw.
Class 3 malocclusion
A class 3 malocclusion, sometimes called prognathism, is diagnosed when the patient’s lower jaw protrudes past the upper jaw and the lower teeth are positioned farther forward than the upper teeth.
This generally occurs when the lower jaw is larger than the upper jaw.
From left to right, class 3, class 1 and class 2 malocclusions
Possible causes of malocclusion
Malocclusion is a problem that is usually linked to heredity and genetics. That means that a person who has a parent with a malocclusion is more likely to have one themselves.
However, there are certain conditions and habits that can alter the shape and structure of a person’s jaw:
- Cleft lip, cleft palate and other malformations
- Frequent pacifier use after age 3
- Prolonged bottle feeding in infancy
- Thumb sucking in childhood
- Injuries that cause jaw misalignment
- Tumours in the mouth or jaw
- Atypically-shaped or impacted teeth
- Ill-fitting fillings, crowns or dental appliances
- Poor tongue posture when resting or swallowing
- Missing teeth
- Airway obstruction (mouth-breathing) potentially caused by allergies or enlarged adenoids or tonsils
Symptoms of malocclusion
Depending on the type and severity of the malocclusion, the symptoms can be subtle or acute. Typical symptoms of malocclusion are:
- Misaligned teeth
- Changes in facial appearance
- Biting the tongue or insides of the cheeks frequently
- Difficulty chewing
- Changes in speech
- Breathing through the mouth rather than the nose
Malocclusion treatments
It is important to note that epidemiological studies indicate that regardless of the type of malocclusion, it will not correct itself naturally with time and growth. In fact, most dental and skeletal malocclusion problems found in children tend to worsen over time without specialist intervention.
There are a few different ways to treat malocclusions. The best treatment should be determined based on x-rays and 3D images of the patient’s mouth.
Orthodontic appliances
When the problem is dental in origin, it can usually be treated effectively with fixed or removable orthodontic appliances such as an occlusal plate. This type of treatment may also be appropriate for younger patients with mild skeletal malocclusions whose mouths are still growing.
Orthognathic surgery
Orthognathic surgery is performed to properly align the jawbones and correct more severe skeletal malocclusions. During surgery, the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw) are repositioned along 3 spatial axes according to the position of the rest of the skull and facial bones.
The potential consequences of untreated malocclusions
There are a great variety of problems that can be caused by malocclusions. Some appear quickly, while others can happen in the long term.
Here are a few of the potential consequences of untreated malocclusions:
Loss of self-esteem
A misaligned smile is less aesthetically pleasing. For some, this can have a direct impact on self-confidence, making them reluctant to smile in public.
Malocclusions can also lead to facial asymmetry or a receding or overly pronounced chin, conditions which can affect the balance of the face and make a person feel less confident.
Chewing problems
Severe malocclusion can cause chewing and swallowing problems. Sufferers may experience jaw pain or locking when chewing, and may even hear cracking sounds.
Misaligned teeth make it difficult to break food down into smaller pieces, which can also affect digestion.
Speech problems
Malocclusions can make it difficult to produce some of the sounds used in everyday speech.
Malocclusions are also associated with speech and language delays and disorders.
Joint problems
Untreated malocclusions can lead to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) ranging from pain to mechanical obstructions.
Prematurely worn teeth
With malocclusions, teeth may meet incorrectly, causing grinding and prematurely worn teeth.
Oral hygiene problems
Malocclusions are often accompanied by overlapping, crowded teeth, which can make it more difficult to follow basic oral hygiene instructions at home. Therefore, malocclusion comes with an increased risk of cavities and gum disease.
Breathing problems
Because of their malocclusion, some patients develop a habit of breathing through their mouth. As a result, they are more likely to snore or suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Mouth breathing also promotes bacterial growth in the mouth, increasing the risk of gum disease.
Other potential consequences of malocclusion
It has been reported that some patients with malocclusions experience chronic migraines, tinnitus, back pain and posture problems.
Diagnosing and treating malocclusions at Clinique MFML
Even though not all malocclusions need to be corrected, having misaligned teeth or jaws can have negative consequences for those afflicted.
If you are experiencing symptoms of malocclusion, contact a specialist to discuss them. The specialist will be able to propose solutions that meet your needs.
To learn more about maxillofacial surgery, we invite you to take a look at the blog section of our website.
