{"id":1915,"date":"2021-04-06T15:15:27","date_gmt":"2021-04-06T19:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cliniquemaxillo.com\/?p=1915"},"modified":"2023-03-27T11:49:47","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T15:49:47","slug":"malocclusion-treatments-and-consequences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cliniquemaxillo.com\/en\/blogue\/malocclusion-treatments-and-consequences\/","title":{"rendered":"The causes, symptoms, treatments and consequences of malocclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"

In orthodontic and maxillofacial surgery clinics<\/a>, the word \u201cmalocclusion\u201d often comes up during diagnosis. But what does malocclusion mean, exactly?<\/p>\n

In this article, find out all about the causes and symptoms of malocclusion, its treatments and the consequences it can have if left untreated.<\/p>\n

What is malocclusion?<\/h2>\n

In dental health, the term \u201cocclusion\u201d refers to the contact between a person\u2019s teeth. More specifically, it refers to the way the upper and lower jaw meet when a person closes their mouth. The term \u201cmalocclusion\u201d is used to indicate a misalignment.<\/p>\n

The problems that cause malocclusion can be dental or skeletal in nature.<\/p>\n

Dental malocclusion is a problem caused by widely spaced, overlapping or abnormally positioned teeth.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Diagnosing and classifying malocclusions<\/h3>\n

Malocclusions can generally be diagnosed during routine dental exams that include taking dental x-rays to check whether the patient\u2019s teeth are properly aligned. To get an even more accurate picture of the situation when the teeth are crooked<\/a>, the patient can also be referred to a clinic that offers 3D radiology<\/a> services.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s classification).<\/p>\n

Class 1 malocclusion<\/h4>\n

Class 1 malocclusions<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

With this type of malocclusion, the jawbones meet normally and the misalignment of the teeth is not severe.<\/p>\n

Class 2 malocclusion<\/h4>\n

A class 2 malocclusion<\/a>, sometimes called retrognathism, is diagnosed when the patient\u2019s upper jaw overhangs the lower jaw and the upper teeth are positioned farther forward than the lower teeth.<\/p>\n

This can be caused by protruding upper front teeth or an underdeveloped lower jaw.<\/p>\n

Class 3 malocclusion<\/h4>\n

A class 3 malocclusion<\/a>, sometimes called prognathism, is diagnosed when the patient\u2019s lower jaw protrudes past the upper jaw and the lower teeth are positioned farther forward than the upper teeth.<\/p>\n

This generally occurs when the lower jaw is larger than the upper jaw.<\/p>\n

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From left to right, class 3, class 1 and class 2 malocclusions<\/p><\/div>\n

Possible causes of malocclusion<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

However, there are certain conditions and habits that can alter the shape and structure of a person\u2019s jaw:<\/p>\n