Malocclusion in a child – signs, causes and treatment

An incorrect bite in a child is a violation of the closing of the teeth of the upper and lower jaws. It is fundamentally wrong to consider teeth growth defects as a cosmetic problem.

In this article, we will talk not only about the types of pathologies in children, but also about complications, methods of treatment at different ages, and prevention.

Why children develop an incorrect bite

There are many reasons for the development of malocclusion in children:

• hereditary factor (genetic features in the structure of the maxillofacial apparatus, for example, a very narrow jaw, lack of rudiments of individual teeth);
• incorrect attachment of the child to the breast or very long breastfeeding;
• use of a pacifier on a bottle with a large opening, inconsistency of the size of the pacifier with the age of the child;
• bad habits – from constantly sucking a nipple or a finger to the habit of leaning your head while sitting at the table;
• congenital pathologies (incorrect position of the tongue, shortened frenulum of the tongue, lips) and injuries received during childbirth;
• lack of solid food in the diet;
• pathologies of the development of the musculoskeletal system (scoliosis, etc.), respiratory organs, endocrine system (diabetes, thyroid disease);
• rickets;
• late or premature loss of milk teeth.

If the child has at least one of the listed prerequisites at the time of teething, it is advisable to consult a doctor. He will give recommendations that will help prevent possible problems with the bite.

Symptoms

There are several types of malocclusion in children:

• distal – the teeth of the upper row do not overlap the lower incisors, but seem to hang over them;
• mesial – the lower jaw is pushed forward;
• open – the teeth of the upper and lower rows do not close when the mouth is closed;
• deep – the teeth of the upper jaw more than half overlap the lower ones;
• cross – in different areas of the dental arch, there is an uneven overlapping of the lower and upper teeth on each other.

In addition, various anomalies of tooth growth are called malocclusion:

• diastema – a large gap between two adjacent teeth;
• dystopia – tooth growth in the wrong direction or in the wrong place.

Abnormal development of the bite may be indicated by the following signs:

• teeth in a row are crooked, “look” in different directions, crawl on each other (crowded teeth);
• gaps are visible between the teeth;
• in one or more places of the tooth row, the teeth do not touch each other when the jaws are closed;
• when closing the mouth, the lips do not close;
• when the jaw moves, the temporomandibular joints click;
• the child cannot open his mouth normally;
• often, under mechanical impact, the gums bleed, and plaque quickly forms on the teeth;
• noticeable asymmetry of lips, face;
• if you draw a conventional line in the middle of the face, then the central line of the tooth row does not coincide with it;
• there are diction disorders (lispers);
• posture disorder.

Any of the listed symptoms is a good reason to take your child to an orthodontist for an examination and consultation.

Why is a bad bite dangerous?

An incorrect bite is not only an aesthetic problem, but primarily a problem of dysfunction of the maxillofacial apparatus. For example, as a result of an incorrect bite (lack of contact between the upper and lower teeth in certain areas of the dental arch), when chewing, the load is incorrectly distributed between the teeth, as a result of which the following consequences may occur:

• the appearance of a wedge-shaped defect (destruction of the tooth at the border with the gums);
• recession (reduction in volume) of the gums, which leads to the exposure of the neck and root of the tooth;
• abrasion of enamel;
• hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity) of teeth;
• premature loss of teeth;
• disorders of the temporomandibular joint, due to which it may be painful for the child to open his mouth and chew;
• headaches

Bite disorder in the lateral parts of the mouth has the following complications:

• trauma (biting) of the cheeks, tongue, chronic trauma is a prerequisite for changes in the mucous membrane and the development of tumors;
• difficult chewing, due to which the digestive system suffers;
• facial asymmetry.

What is affected by crowded teeth

1. Complicating the process of brushing teeth, due to which optimal conditions are created for bacteria, the formation of plaque, tartar;
2. High activity of bacteria leads to the development of inflammatory processes (caries, gum inflammation, bleeding, gingivitis and periodontitis).

One of the most unpleasant consequences is that it is very difficult for children to psychologically experience their external imperfection, especially when an incorrect bite causes a violation of facial harmony or speech defects.

Bite correction at different ages

Before talking about age and the methods used to eliminate bite defects, you need to understand how it is formed.

The formation of a bite in children occurs in several stages:

1. Up to 6 months – sucking skills contribute to the correct growth and development of the jaws.
2. From six months (from the appearance of the first tooth) to 3 years – the formation of the bite of milk teeth.
3. 3-6 years – laying the foundation for the appearance of permanent teeth (intensive growth of the jaw bone).
4. 6-12 years – the period of replacing milk teeth with permanent ones. During this period, the jaw continues to grow actively.
5. 12-16 years – the final stage of forming a permanent bite.

Bite correction in babies (up to 1 year)

At this stage, it is impossible to apply any of the bite correction methods. It is still too early to even talk about the exact diagnosis of the problem. The doctor can only assume the possibility of a violation if the parents have a similar problem. The only active method of treatment used in children under 3 years of age is lip and tongue frenulum plastic surgery. Basically, only preventive measures are used: compliance with the schedule for the introduction of supplementary food (thicker and harder food); use of orthodontic pacifiers; correction of habits – it is necessary to ensure that the child does not support his cheek with his hand in his sleep and does not throw his head back. It is also important to be observed in dentistry: from the moment the first tooth appears, regularly take the baby to the children’s dentist for an examination and treat caries of milk teeth in a timely manner.

Bite correction for 3-6 years

From the age of three, orthodontic treatment already takes place using active methods of correction: fight against bad habits (weaning from the nipple); gymnastics for the face; the use of a vestibular shield – a plate that helps support and develop muscles, prevents the child from taking a pacifier, foreign objects, sucking a finger, prosthetics of prematurely lost milk teeth.

7-16 years old

When the child turns 7 years old, to correct the irregularities of the dentition, the doctor will suggest using various orthodontic trainers: variable designs, mouthguards or splints. Aligners or braces are recommended to be worn at 12-13 years old, when the teeth are not yet fully formed and are more amenable to correction. However, in some cases, braces can be installed earlier.

What is the safest and most effective method for a child

Only an orthodontist can answer this question after an examination and comprehensive diagnosis. The first and most important stage of orthodontic treatment is diagnosis.

The following research methods are used to assess the bite in dentistry:

• examination, history taking;
• functional tests;
• hardware diagnostics (orthopantomogram, computer tomography).

The purpose of the diagnosis is to compile a complete clinical picture (assessment of clinical, functional, biometric, anthropometric features of the maxillofacial apparatus), which will allow the doctor to formulate an optimal treatment plan.

Conservative and surgical methods are used in the treatment. Conservative methods are treatment using removable and non-removable orthodontic structures. Modern dentistry uses:

• vestibular shields (plates), which help fight bad habits of the baby (weaning from the pacifier, sucking the thumb);
• orthodontic plates – self-adjusting plastic products with metal elements for attachment to teeth, which are used during the replacement of milk teeth;
• trainers – devices for correcting small defects in order to change the location of one tooth in a row;
• aligners or mouthguards – silicone structures that delicately align the tooth row;
• braces are non-removable structures that allow correcting the most complex irregularities and defects of the dentition;
• extraoral devices are structures that are used for severe pathologies that do not allow treatment with braces.

The basis for choosing the appropriate device for correcting the bite and eliminating defects is the nature and severity of the pathology and the age of the patient. Conservative treatment is effective in treating most cases of malocclusion.

The operation is indicated only for severe anomalies of the development of the maxillofacial apparatus, such as:

• strong facial asymmetry;
• no chin;
• severe bite disorders;
• various deformations of the facial bones.

The recovery period after surgery can last up to six months.

Prevention of malocclusion in children

The success of orthodontic treatment depends on a number of factors. One of the most important is early diagnosis and timely treatment. In addition, in most cases there is a real possibility to prevent disorders of the development of the dentition-maxillofacial apparatus.

Dentists-orthodontists recommend following preventive measures:

• during pregnancy, carefully monitor the health of the future mother;
• follow the correct breastfeeding technique;
• timely eliminate the causes of the appearance of defects (for example, plastic surgery of a shortened frenulum of the tongue, lips);
• use only orthodontic pacifiers and bottle nipples, wean the child from these devices after 1-1.5 years;
• monitor the condition of the ENT organs, nasal breathing of the baby, carry out prevention and timely treatment of otolaryngological diseases;
• monitor the condition of the oral cavity, visit the dentist regularly, treat caries of milk teeth in a timely manner;
• do physical education with the child to form the correct posture, make sure that the child does not slouch;
• master with the child and regularly perform myogymnastics (a set of exercises for the muscles of the maxillofacial area).

Incorrect bite in a child is a problem that, in addition to cosmetic defects, has risks of diseases of various organs and systems of the child’s body, so it is very important not to miss the moment and correct the problem in time.

If you suspect that the baby has a disorder, you must make an appointment with a doctor. Even if the child’s teeth grow normally and there are no visible abnormalities, it is necessary to visit the dentist every 3 months in order to treat the teeth in time if necessary.