Correcting dental occlusion, besides its aesthetic impact, has an important therapeutic effect that influences the patient’s overall health. Because of occlusion anomalies, it becomes challenging to chew food, which negatively reflects on digestion and leads to health problems. Additionally, such disorders cause overstrain of the temporomandibular joint, damage to the teeth themselves, trauma to the gums, the inside of the cheeks, and other dental issues.
Let’s take a closer look at several important reasons why a visit to the orthodontist and starting the correction of occlusion, for example, with the help of a bracket system, should not be delayed. Here is a list of several common threats that this pathology can cause.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
When the lower and upper teeth do not sufficiently connect with each other, it provokes teeth grinding and excessive jaw clenching. In the long term, this can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), which connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull. As a result, the patient may experience symptoms such as:
- Pain in and around the ear
- Pain in certain areas of the face
- Difficulty chewing or pain during chewing
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
Gum Disease.
With improper occlusion, food residues can get stuck between crowded teeth and teeth that overlap each other. These small particles cause the accumulation of bacteria and dental plaque. This, in turn, poses a serious risk to oral health and can even lead to gum disease – gingivitis. Its symptoms include bad breath, itching, swelling, and bleeding of the gums.
If gingivitis is not treated, it can lead to periodontitis, causing gum recession, loss of jaw bone tissue, and ultimately – tooth loss. Therefore, if you see signs of gum disease, the cause could be precisely in improper occlusion.
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Chronic Migraine.
With improper dental occlusion, the upper and lower dental rows do not align properly when closing the mouth. This can cause severe headaches and migraines. It can also lead to frequent or constant pain in the neck and jaw.
Destruction of Dental Prostheses.
Patients with dental prostheses, improper occlusion can also cause a range of problems. Due to the misalignment of the jaw, dental prostheses can rub against the alveolar ridge, leading to sores and an improper fit of the prostheses.
Furthermore, improper occlusion often causes dental decay and tooth destruction, when patients need crowns or bridges. But due to the incorrect position of the jaw, they can also get damaged.
Speech Problems.
Dental anomalies that disrupt occlusion and displace the dental row can even lead to speech problems, as teeth also participate in it. Patients with such a diagnosis sometimes lisp, whistle, stutter, etc. In some cases, they find it difficult to pronounce certain letters, especially those that require quality “tooth-tongue” contact.
Uneven Wear of Teeth.
Teeth are designed to withstand daily loads and perform their basic functions throughout life. But improper occlusion or incorrect positioning of teeth can cause their uneven wear. As a result, teeth may age faster than their owner. This includes tooth sensitivity, toothache, damage to dental enamel, etc. All these issues increase the risk of tooth loss. But by aligning the occlusion, they can be combated simply by adhering to proper oral care.
What Are the Types of Occlusion Pathologies?
Improper occlusion can be of various types. The most common among them are:
- Deep bite, when the upper incisors cover the lower ones by more than 50%.
- Distal occlusion, when the upper jaw significantly protrudes forward over the lower, or vice versa, mesial occlusion, when the lower jaw noticeably protrudes forward relative to the upper.
- Crossbite, that is, the lateral displacement of the upper and lower dental rows relative to each other.
- Open bite, when the molars are clenched, and the incisors are not, or vice versa.
If you have noticed one of the above problems in yourself, it is urgent to consult an orthodontist.
Regardless of your age, the orthodontists at YAREMA DENTAL clinic in Kyiv will be able to correct the occlusion and improve the appearance of your smile with the help of braces, retainers, aligners, and orthodontic plates. However, such problems should not be postponed for later, as they are easier to treat at an early age, when the jaws are only forming and continue to grow.