Types of anomalies that can be corrected orthodontically

Oral health points to overall health, and a beautiful, healthy smile gives us the confidence we need in everyday life.

Certain oral conditions can have a major impact on our overall health, as they can affect the way we grow, look, talk, eat or socialize.

Your orthodontist and orthodontic specialist is the one who can help you regain the functionality and beauty of your smile, in harmony with the appearance of your face.

Orthodontic treatment thus ensures the functionality of the dental apparatus by correcting those dental conditions or anomalies that can adversely affect oral health and, therefore, general health.

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with monitoring and guiding the growth and development of the dentofacial structures, as well as the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of certain dento-maxillary disorders and anomalies.

The main tool used by the orthodontist in correcting conditions detected by the specialized check-up is treatment with dental appliances (braces).

In general, orthodontic treatment is recommended for the management of dental malocclusions, but in a multi-disciplinary approach, braces can improve the results of other dental and surgical treatments.

The orthodontist's role in correcting dento-maxillary anomalies

Orthodontic treatment is not a quick fix. It is a complex biological process involving changes to the jaw bones, facial bones and soft tissues as teeth are moved into their new positions. The orthodontist is the specialist to whom we should turn for the correction of those dento-maxillary disorders or anomalies that may influence the harmonious development of the child or adolescent, when the visit to the dental office is made early, but also for the correction of problems faced by adult patients in terms of the functionality of the dental apparatus.

On the basis of the clinical examination and further investigations, the orthodontist will establish the diagnosis and the occlusion, and then establish the treatment plan. Establishing the treatment plan for the various types of orthodontic and dentofacial anomalies includes the progress of the treatment stages, predicting the outcome, duration of treatment and retention.

Therefore, before starting orthodontic treatment, it is important to make sure that you have chosen a doctor with the necessary expertise to give you the best results.

Anomalies that can be corrected with orthodontic appliances

Braces treatment is recommended for correcting the position of teeth on the dental arches, influencing the proper growth of the jaws, creating space on the arch for permanent teeth, correcting the bite, and addressing various types of malocclusions. The category of dento-facial anomalies treated by an orthodontist includes vertical overbite, underbite, crossbite, dental crowding, mandibular prognathism, and other conditions. Discover below the main types of anomalies that can be corrected with orthodontic treatment.

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth are unsightly and can affect the aesthetics of your smile, but they can also cause numerous health problems. Tooth crowding is a form of dental malocclusion (Class I malocclusion), as are large interdental spaces.

Because they do not align correctly, crowded teeth are harder to clean. When teeth are crowded, toothbrushes and dental floss cannot clean the spaces between the teeth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay, especially interdental caries, but also gingivitis or even periodontal disease.

Teeth are positioned at certain angles on the dental arch to help them cope with the forces of chewing. If these angles are altered due to dental crowding, the strength of the teeth decreases and, in this context, abfractions (lesions that occur close to the gum line due to pressure) can occur.

To correct this dento-maxillary abnormality, the orthodontist will recommend treatment with braces, which can be of several types. Fixed braces, made of metal brackets that are cemented to the outer surface of the teeth, are considered to be an optimal solution for crowded teeth, as the repositioning of the teeth is done in a very precise manner.

Large interdental spaces

Large interdental spaces, considered a form of Class I malocclusion, can occur between the central incisors (diastemata or crowding) or only between the lateral teeth, in which case they are called tooth gaps. Large interdental spaces are unsightly, but can also cause pronunciation difficulties. A dental appliance will help to reposition the teeth in such a way that very large interdental spaces are eliminated.

Vertical overbite

Dental malocclusions are usually caused by problems with the shape and size of the jaw or teeth. Vertical overbite is a form of Class II dental malocclusion, diagnosed when the upper front teeth protrude far in front of the lower front teeth (the jaw has grown more than the mandible). Vertical over-occlusion may have a hereditary cause or may be influenced by vicious habits, such as thumb or pacifier sucking after the age of 2. Such a dento-maxillary abnormality can adversely affect the ability to chew food, eat properly, cause speech difficulties, excessive wear of enamel, and problems with the temporomandibular joints. It is therefore important to correct it with orthodontic treatment.

Underbite and Open-bite

Underbite is a class III dental malocclusion and is diagnosed when the lower front teeth are protruded far forward or the upper front teeth are set far back. This is also the most difficult type of malocclusion to treat. The patient with reverse occlusion will have difficulty in opening the mouth normally, the chewing process being significantly affected. In the case of open occlusion, when biting, a space remains between the upper and lower teeth, which can affect pronunciation.

Another form of malocclusion is cross bite, which is diagnosed by the orthodontist when the upper teeth do not fit forward over the lower teeth in a normal bite.

It is the orthodontist who has the necessary expertise to identify and correct these types of malocclusions with orthodontic appliances. The doctor will decide the treatment depending on the patient's age, general state of health and the severity of the dento-maxillary anomaly.

Macrodontia, another dento-maxillary anomaly

Macrodontia is the excessive development of teeth in volume and can be localized, partially or generalized. Treatment of macrodontia can be done with braces, following a recommendation from the orthodontist. In conclusion, these are the main dento-maxillary anomalies that can be corrected with orthodontic appliances. Depending on the severity of the case, your orthodontist may also recommend additional procedures to ensure long-term treatment success, and treatment options for malocclusion are more convenient than ever with the innovations in orthodontics.

If you have decided to undergo orthodontic treatment, your doctor will recommend the right type of braces for you.

The braces available in DENT ESTET clinics are:

• Braces - ALIGNER;
  • ClearCorrect®;
  • Spark™;
  • Invisalign®;
• Lingual braces;
• Fixed braces.

Braces help you regain your long-suffering smile and greatly improve your quality of life, and delaying such treatment can have negative consequences for your dental and overall health.