Do You Have Malocclusion?

Malocclusion is a dental issue that’s especially common in children. According to Fortune Business Insights, somewhere between 60% and 65% of people have some degree of malocclusion. If you’re wondering if you have malocclusion, here’s what you need to know.

What Is Malocclusion?

Malocclusion is the medical term for the misalignment of teeth, which may occur for several reasons. There are three common forms of malocclusion:

• The teeth angle inward toward the tongue
• The upper teeth stick out while the bottom teeth angle inward toward the tongue
• The upper teeth angle inward toward the tongue and there’s noticeable crowding of the teeth

If your teeth are misaligned in one of these ways, you may have a malocclusion. Dental issues that involve misalignment of the teeth typically require orthodontic treatment, so make sure you schedule an appointment with an expert orthodontist to evaluate your case.

Diagnosing Malocclusion

Generally speaking, malocclusion is diagnosed by looking at the medical history of the individual in addition to a physical examination of the teeth. Because malocclusion is so common in children, dentists and orthodontists will typically ask questions about habits that may have caused the misalignment of teeth. Understanding the cause of malocclusion can be an important part of correcting misaligned teeth and preventing reoccurring misalignment in the future.

Malocclusion Treatment

If you or your child are diagnosed with malocclusion, orthodontic treatment is typically the most popular option. Malocclusion can be treated with braces and other orthodontic treatment types in many cases, although your orthodontist may recommend surgery for severe malocclusion that can’t be treated with orthodontics. If you need orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will give you more details about how to care for your treatment and how long you’ll be in treatment.

Just because your teeth are misaligned doesn’t mean they have to stay that way. If you think you or your child has malocclusion, you should visit a skilled orthodontist for an evaluation. Malocclusion is typically treatable with simple orthodontic devices. To learn more or to be evaluated by one of our expert orthodontists, schedule an appointment with Orthodontics LA today.