ORTHODONTICS

The branch of dentistry that deals with diagnosing and treating malpositioned teeth and jaws is called orthodontics. The curvature of the teeth and the contact between the upper and lower teeth are disturbed in such a way that they cannot fulfill the function of teeth grinding, which is called “malocclusion,” i.e., “poor occlusion.”

Poor occlusion-malocclusion symptoms

Crooked and outward-facing teeth are the main signs of poor occlusion. Examples of poor occlusion include abnormal positioning of the mandibles or maxillae relative to each other and teeth in front of, behind, or on the side where they should be in the jaw.

How is poor occlusion (malocclusion) diagnosed?

The diagnosis of poor occlusion is made during a routine examination by the dentist. An orthodontist evaluates the teeth-jaw relationship. An orthodontist should examine children at age 7. Furthermore, having a general dental examination from the first year of life is recommended to discover any problems early and avoid dental fear.

How is poor occlusion treated?

Some children need early treatment where growth and development are directed. Children are provided with custom-made appliances for proper jaw positioning during this treatment, performed during growth and development. Subsequent treatments are performed with a “bracket” attached to the tooth, which we call a “brace.” The brackets hold the teeth in place, and the teeth move slowly towards their proper positions with the help of braces that pass through these brackets and use very little force.