20% Of People Suffer From This
In an ideal world, your teeth should fit easily together with no crowding, spacing, or overlaps. In reality, about 15 to 20% of the American population suffers from malocclusion, or a misaligned bite. A misaligned bite can develop from various conditions or habits, including a cleft lip or palate, thumb sucking, abnormally shaped teeth, mouth breathing, and tumors in the jaw. The good news, however, is that there are options to correct this common dental issue. Read on to find out more.
Misalignment is often passed down through families and comes in three different forms:
- Overbite: When the upper jaw overlaps the lower jaw jaw.
- Underbite: When the lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth.
- Open bite: An opening or gap between teeth when the jaw is closed.
Why Correct A Misaligned Bite?
Misalignment of the jaw affects a person’s physical and mental health. Problems with speaking, breathing issues, pain when chewing or biting, and constant biting of the cheeks and tongue are common symptoms of a malocclusion. A misaligned bite can lead to poor self-esteem and self-consciousness. Most people with malocclusion are unhappy with their facial appearance or voice. Correcting a poor bite can improve their quality of life.
How To Fix A Misaligned Bite
There are several options we can provide to correct a misaligned bite, depending your particular case:
- Orthodontic appliances: These are dental devices specifically fabricated to correct misaligned bites. For example, the crossbow appliance is used to correct overbites. It prevents the lower jaw from moving backward.
- Braces: Braces are a standard treatment for a misaligned jaw where cement brackets are placed on the teeth and connected with wire.
- Jaw Surgery: In severe cases, surgery by a maxillofacial surgeon is necessary. The surgeon uses plates, screws, and wires to reform the jaw.
If you would like to discuss any questions you may have regarding you or your child’s treatment for a misaligned bite so that you can be better informed about the procedures, please call our Southfield office today, and one of our team members will be happy to assist you.
