DISALLINEAMENTO dei DENTI - Malocclusioni negli Adulti | Studio Dentistico Dott. M. Caneva

Visit our website: https://www.studiodentisticocaneva.it/ What is malocclusion? It refers to all those situations of misalignment and crowding in which "crooked teeth" create aesthetic and functional problems in our occlusion and chewing. There is a significant difference between treating malocclusion between adults and children. In adults, the structures are already defined and we can only intervene on the teeth rather than the bones. In children, however, we can only intervene on the skeletal structure and create adequate space for the teeth to grow normally. The timing of intervention is crucial because we can help the child resolve the problem, which would otherwise persist into adulthood. Intervening on children ensures that we do not have to intervene on adults. Let's examine malocclusion situations case by case. CROWDING: A physiological narrowing of the dental arch that occurs with the passing of time, or with the aging of the mouth. From age 17 onward, the jaw narrows and the teeth become misaligned. This aging phenomenon becomes apparent around age 20, for example, with the growth of wisdom teeth. Misalignment of the lower jaw teeth is very common due to this narrowing, and is more noticeable when speaking than when smiling. If the teeth don't have enough space to properly position themselves, misalignment occurs. SPACING: Another example is spacing, frequently seen in the front teeth but also noticeable in the lower jaw. It is a consequence of tooth size, or an incorrect relationship between the upper and lower teeth. MISALIGNMENT: Many patients notice a misalignment but can't pinpoint it precisely. Sometimes it's actually a misalignment with respect to the line of the nose or the teeth being positioned at different heights. CLASS II MALOCCLUSION: teeth above the front or teeth below the back. This is an incorrect relationship between the mandible and maxilla. This is a common problem for people. From an aesthetic standpoint, the teeth are protruding, while from a functional, chewing standpoint, it occurs in the back region because the teeth are not properly aligned due to the incorrect positioning of the upper and lower teeth. CLASS III MALOCCLUSION: teeth above the back or teeth below the front. When faced with this type of malocclusion, which is related to the position of the teeth, the underlying skeletal and structural aspects must be considered. If the person with this problem is an adult, surgery is almost always necessary. OPEN BITE: This is caused by a bad habit that leads to a change in the structure of our mouth that continues into adulthood. The main cause is related to swallowing. When we swallow, the tongue should move upward, causing the palate to widen. If we get used to keeping the tongue low, the palate remains narrow and the tongue continues to interpose itself between the teeth. In certain situations, this habit can raise doubts about the resolution of the problem because, once the result is achieved, if we don't resolve the tongue positioning issue, it becomes difficult to maintain. COVERED BITE: The upper teeth close in on the lower teeth, covering them. It is one of the most common causes of joint problems and also leads to damage to the teeth, which deteriorate. First, the position of the teeth must be addressed and then they must be rebuilt, otherwise they would deteriorate again. Malocclusions create significant aesthetic discomfort, but even more importantly, the functional discomfort they cause, generating serious problems with muscles and joints, as well as chewing. When teeth are misaligned, hygiene becomes challenging, as crowded teeth make it difficult to floss and brush, leading to a whole host of problems related to poor hygiene. To avoid difficult-to-treat malocclusions, it's important to identify and understand the nature of the problem from an early age, so that it can be addressed at the right time and prevent invasive interventions in adulthood.