Types of malocclusions
When the jaws do not meet together in the normal way, you have an incorrect bite, called a malocclusion. Orthodontic treatment can correct this, improving the relationship of the jaws, making the bite more comfortable.
Class I incisors;
The teeth meet in good positions and the overbite and over jet are correct, but the teeth are crowded. Depending on the degree of crowding, space may need to be made by removing some teeth before braces can be inserted. In the United Kingdom 60% of the population have this kind of malocclusion.
Class II (division 1) incisors;
The upper teeth are advancing forwards of the lower incisors (over jet is increased) and the upper incisors are proclined. This may be compounded with additional crowding. This malocclusion is about 30% of the population. Depending on the severity of the malocclusion extractions or combined with jaw surgery is needed to achieve satisfactory correction.
Class II (division 2) incisors;
The upper teeth are protrusive, but the upper incisors are retroclined (tipped backwards). The overjet may not be greatly changed but the overbite is often greatly increased giving a deep bite. The treatment is difficult and similar to division 1 malocclusion. This malocclusion is 5% of the population.
Class III incisors;
The lower teeth are positioned ahead of the uppers (reverse overjet), This is often associated with jaw misalignment usually the lower jaw, or combination. This malocclusion often need a combination of orthodontics and jaw operation to achieve a good correction. The lower jaw is one of the last bones to stop growing; the treatment is delayed until the patient has completed their pubertal growth.
Impacted teeth
It may possible to make space and guide some buried teeth into position. This is often the case when maxillary canines teeth become impacted (jammed) in the palate. Usually the canines are exposed with the aid of minor oral surgery under Local/general anaesthetic and the tooth is guided into the line of the jaw with orthodontic treatment. Occasionally they may be left and reviewed. Some cases removed as part of creating space for the orthodontic treatment.
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