Malocclusion is the dental term for abnormally aligned upper and lower teeth. Tooth alignment can be affected by many different factors from childhood to old age. Sometimes, teeth are misaligned slightly enough that it may not warrant any type of corrective treatment, but even slightly misaligned teeth can cause problems for a person. They make it harder to maintain good oral hygiene, they can cause worse malocclusion down the road, and they can affect a person's self-esteem.
Invisalign® is one of our go-to treatments for malocclusion. There are many financial options to pay for it, it's convenient for aesthetic reasons, and it can treat a wide range of cases, including:
Underbite: This tooth misalignment occurs when teeth on the lower jaw stick out farther than the front teeth on the upper jaw. It's typically caused from underdevelopment of the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. The area that suffers the most from underbite tends to be the molars.
Ovberbite: An underbite occurs when teeth on the upper jaw stick out over teeth on the lower jaw too far. Genetics can be a factor in causing an overbite, in addition to irregular development of the upper jaw. An overbite tends to cause excessive wear on the lower teeth and can lead to serious and painful joint issues.
Gapped Teeth: The dental term for a gap between teeth is diastema. The most common one dentists see is a gap between the front teeth. Gaps in between teeth can be caused by gum disease weakening supporting structures, oral habits such as thumb sucking, irregular tooth or jaw development, and a number of other reasons. A serious risk of gapped teeth is a higher probability for developing gum disease.
Crowded Teeth: Teeth that are overcrowded are often caused when they don't erupt (come through the skin) correctly or when the baby teeth aren't lost quickly enough. If your teeth are overcrowded, it can can accelerate tooth decay, increase the risk of periodontal disease, prevent the ability to properly chew, and make it harder to clean your teeth.
Crossbite: There are two types of crossbites: anterior and posterior. A common cause of crossbite is when children suck their thumb or use a pacifier too long. This behavior causes force on the teeth and may change their alignment if the habit is continued while the teeth and mouth are developing the most. A dentist should help you align a crossbite to avoid premature wear and tear on the teeth, chewing difficulties, and higher risk of gum disease.
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If any of the above dental conditions affects you and your tooth alignment, please consider talking to your dentist about a way to correct it. Your oral health will benefit greatly if you do. At our practice, we often recommend Invisalign or Invisalign Teen to our patients for these conditions.
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