Correcting Misaligned Teeth: No Room for False Modesty!
Whether it's a crossbite, deep bite, or overbite: No one gets to choose their teeth. But: Everyone can have their malocclusion corrected. You can read why this is sometimes even a must and how it's best done in this article. A tooth that stands out, the gap that now fits a pen, or two halves of the dentition that lie obliquely on top of each other: Many people have malocclusions. Not all of them are dangerous. Yet, some lead a life of their own that should not be underestimated – and that's far more than just a cosmetic issue. Because their health significance is considerable. Indeed, they can cause joint, back, and headaches, lead to speech disorders, or even cause facial proportions to shift in the long term. How do Malocclusions Develop in The First Place? If teeth are not where they should be, there can be many reasons: It may not be a surprise that malocclusions can be inherited. Less known are the hybrid inheritance models: For example, when the jaw size comes from the mother, but the tooth size from the father. If these do not match in combination, malocclusions occur. Furthermore, bad habits in childhood, such as excessive thumb sucking, a prolonged pacifier period, or mouth breathing because not enough air flows through the nose, can lead to a permanent shift of the teeth and misdevelopment of the jaw. And finally, diseases or accidents are a common reason for misalignments. The good news: Nowadays, there's almost nothing that cosmetic dentistry can't correct – for instance, with Invisalign®. It is significantly cheaper and more aesthetic than the classic braces from childhood. And the best part: It's never too late to start! Malocclusions that can be straightened with it include, for example: Crossbite Deep bite Overbite Diastema Open bite Crowding Rotated or protruding teeth The Trouble with Crossbite A crossbite is when the teeth cannot close properly because, for example, the front or lateral teeth in the upper jaw lean too far inwards or those in the lower jaw push too far outwards. There are three types of crossbites: anterior, unilateral, and bilateral. It is also the most common misalignment. In children and adolescents, if untreated, it can inhibit jaw growth. This leads to a whole series of health problems up to the premature wear of the teeth. However, crossbites are easier to treat than one might think: In young years, a normal brace can help, in adults, aligner treatment (clear plastic aligners) can bring significant improvements. The Consequences of a Deep Bite In a deep bite, the upper incisors are tilted over the lower ones. This makes, for example, biting and chewing difficult. Moreover, a deep bite can cause injuries to the palate and gum inflammation. Above all, this misalignment can severely affect the jaw joints – in the worst case leading to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). This, in turn, can lead to numerous secondary diseases, such as tinnitus or head and back pain. Why an Overbite Should be Corrected as Early as Possible Everyone has a slight overbite: This means that the front teeth of the upper jaw lie over the front teeth of the lower jaw. Up to two millimeters is considered normal. However, if this distance is significantly increased, it is referred to as an "overbite" – colloquially also known as "bunny teeth" or "horse bite". It can lead to bullying in the schoolyard, as well as to incorrect loading of the jaws, and in severe cases, increase the risk of caries. An "open bite," on the other hand, is when the front teeth do not meet – this can be a consequence of strong, frequent thumb sucking. Courage to Embrace Diastema? Better not! When no teeth are missing, but there is too much space between them, it is called a "diastema". It also belongs to the malocclusions that are much more dangerous than one might think: Because it not only predisposes to tooth migration but also to deep pocket formation in the gums and thus severe periodontitis. What many do not know: Untreated, this can not only affect the jawbone but even lead to damage to internal organs. The Solution: Aligner Therapy, e.g., Invisalign® Invisalign® is a state-of-the-art aligner system that has already helped millions of people around the globe achieve beautiful, straight teeth. The aligner works like an invisible brace and delivers astonishing results in a very short time. Want to learn more about Invisalign®? At Dental21 clinics, you benefit from treatment with cutting-edge technology. You can find us at over 50 locations throughout Germany. Book your appointment now!
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