Adult bite correction: Better late than never

/ Adult bite correction: Better late than never

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The aesthetic problem of crooked teeth is not always the main and only reason to see an orthodontist. Crooked teeth can cause a variety of functional problems that require immediate treatment, such as periodontitis, dictation disorders, bruxism, persistent headaches, or clicking in the temporomandibular joint when chewing.

Because the upper and lower jaw are not properly closed, the teeth are subjected to increased abrasion, and food is not chewed thoroughly. This negatively affects the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, an incorrect bite does not allow for good oral hygiene at home.

Correct bite is characterized by a clear and tight closure of the upper and lower jaws, with the upper incisors overlapping the lower ones by 1/3. The position of the teeth is even, the front incisors are positioned strictly in the center. No gaps, interdental spaces, chipping, rotation, crowding should not be. Any deviation from the norm is a bite anomaly, which must be treated.

Poor ecology, genetics, early removal of milk teeth, lack of vitamins and even bad habits can cause the development of malocclusion.

Dentists distinguish the following types of malocclusions:

  • Distal bite. Formed as a result of underdevelopment of the lower jaw or overdevelopment of the upper jaw. When the teeth close, the upper incisors protrude significantly forward.
  • Mesial bite. The main characteristic is the overdevelopment of the lower jaw, which causes the lower teeth to protrude significantly forward in relation to the upper teeth. The frontal teeth in this bite anomaly almost never come into contact, and the masticatory teeth close incorrectly.
  • Crossbite. It is characterized by weak development of one side of either jaw, resulting in the lower jaw shifting to the right or left.
  • Open bite. It is diagnosed when the jaws do not close in the area of the frontal and sometimes lateral teeth.
  • Deep bite. In this bite anomaly, the upper incisors overlap the lower incisors by more than 1/3.

The most effective method of correcting adult bite anomalies is braces. All braces consist of locks, ligatures and an arch. Dental cement is used to bond the brace to each tooth. The ligatures help secure the arch to the locks, which are initially shaped to fit the correct bite. The simultaneous operation of all elements of the system creates even pressure on the teeth, moving each to its proper place. With a professional approach and adherence to all doctor's recommendations, orthodontic treatment will result in a long-awaited beautiful smile.

How long will I have to wear braces? This is a question that many adults worry about before starting treatment. And you should be prepared for the fact that after the age of 25, when the dentition is fully developed, it will take longer to achieve the desired results. The duration of orthodontic treatment depends more on the complexity of the bite pathology than on the choice of one design or another.

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