Malocclusion in a child: photos, causes, treatment. How to correct an overbite

Malocclusion occurs in every second person in the world. Statistics show huge numbers, but everything is actually not so sad. Anomalies in the development of bite can be of varying complexity. The main thing is to quickly identify the pathology and begin treatment. Many parents often do not even notice that their child has an incorrect bite. What to do if there are fears of its appearance? What causes it, and what symptoms can tell about it?

How to distinguish a correct bite from an incorrect one?

You can determine a malocclusion yourself, but the main thing is to know how your teeth should fit together correctly. If the upper row of teeth slightly covers the lower one, there is no space between the incisors, the teeth are in close contact with each other, then the bite is correct.

But how can you tell in a child? Do all other abnormalities really need to be treated urgently? But it's not like that. Correct bite can be divided into several types, which allow very minor anomalies: slight advancement of the lower one or the main thing is that the functioning of the jaw should be harmonious, without damage to the body.

An abnormal bite does not allow you to properly perform some functions. In this case, the child may have difficulties with speech, chewing and swallowing, breathing and digestion.

There are several types of defects, but you should not make a diagnosis yourself. The fact that a child has an incorrect bite (photos will be presented in the article) can only be confirmed by a specialist.

If there are any doubts or concerns, then in this case you should consult a doctor for advice.

Types of malocclusion

Today, doctors divide malocclusions into several types:

1. Distal. Very often it is also called prognathic. This type is characterized by excessive development of the maxillary bone, due to which it is slightly pushed forward. This type can form due to lost teeth or dentures.
2. Mesial. Another name is reverse. This anomaly is characterized by insufficient development lower jaw. This pathology leads to the fact that the incisors on the lower jaw overlap those located on the upper jaw, and some discomfort appears during speech and eating.
3. Open. If most of the teeth do not close together, then this is an open type of anomaly. It is considered one of the most difficult and takes a lot of time to treat.
4. Deep overbite in a child. Very often, doctors call this type traumatic, and all because it leads to rapid abrasion of the enamel on the teeth. It will not be difficult to determine it yourself, because the upper row of teeth completely covers the lower one during rest.
5. Cross. This type appears in people with an incompletely formed upper or lower jaw on one side of the mouth. This type of anomaly requires several treatment methods at once: braces and other orthodontic devices.
6. Reducing. This type develops in people after early tooth loss or destruction.

Not all of the above species can be clearly distinguished. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis and determine the causes of malocclusion in children and adults.

What reasons can cause malocclusion?

There are several main reasons that can cause malocclusion.

1. Artificial feeding. Breastfeeding is as natural as possible; all babies are born with a slightly shortened lower jaw. When the baby feeds breast milk, then in order to get it, he needs to spend a lot of effort, while the jaw develops better and the correct bite is formed. But not all mothers have the opportunity to feed their child with breast milk, so there is nothing left to do but artificial feeding. But this type of feeding must be correct: the child must drink 200 ml of the mixture in 15 minutes, and at the same time he must also obtain it with special diligence. Only in this case will the jaw develop correctly.
2. Long breastfeeding. Parents should remember that during the first year and a half of life, breastfeeding should not cause any particular concern, but then you need to ensure that the bite is formed correctly. Forceful sucking over a long period of time can cause malocclusion.
3. Incomplete development of the jaws. Insufficient development of the jaws can cause an improper diet. From the age of one and a half years, solid foods must be present in the diet so that the baby learns to chew properly, otherwise the child may develop an incorrect bite.
4. Heredity. It is very difficult to combat a predisposition to malocclusion due to heredity. In this case, you need to constantly monitor the baby:
   - how he sleeps, whether his mouth is open during sleep;
   - whether his head is thrown back during sleep;
   - does he put his palms under his cheeks?
   - the pillow should be flat.
5. Dummy. Using the pacifier too often or for a long time can lead to abnormal development bite It is best if the baby sucks it only for about 20 minutes after eating or to fall asleep faster.
6. Frequent runny nose and nasal congestion. If you have nasal congestion, you must do everything possible to remove it. If we leave everything to chance, then a child who cannot breathe through the nose switches to mouth breathing, at this time the facial muscles work incorrectly, the bones of the skull are deformed and, as a result, the child develops an incorrect bite in a year or a little later.

If you do not take any measures and do not monitor the development of the baby’s jaw, then the consequences of an abnormal bite can be much more serious.

What can a bite pathology lead to?

An incorrect bite in a child (the photo below indicates this) can lead not only to an aesthetic change, but also to the following consequences:

• Facial features may change dramatically.
• Problems with chewing food will begin.
• Constant headaches will appear.
• The teeth will be uneven.
• Digestive disorders.
• Early tooth loss.
• Damage to teeth.

To prevent such serious consequences, urgent treatment must be started. How to correct malocclusion in children? When should parents sound the alarm and what is the best time to start therapy?

When should parents worry about their child’s malocclusion?

Parents should monitor the development of the baby’s jaw from birth, observe how the first teeth erupt and whether they grow correctly. Malocclusions will be visually noticeable if you look closely: the teeth do not grow as they should, some will be crooked, or the jaw may simply protrude slightly forward. In this case, parents should not delay visiting a specialist.

Also, a signal may be the child’s incorrect pronunciation of sounds or the baby’s for a long time sucks his thumb. An annual consultation with a dentist will not hurt and will allow you to monitor the development of your bite.

But when is it better to start treatment if an anomaly is detected? At what age will therapy give good results?

When is the best time to treat a child’s malocclusion?

It is impossible to answer exactly the question of when to start therapy for abnormal bite. The opinions of doctors differ greatly: some believe that treatment will give a good result only if it is started as late as possible, and there are specialists who believe that treatment should begin as early as possible. But many doctors agree that if a child has an incorrect bite, 5 years is best time to start therapy.

It is at this age that it is possible to correctly direct the growth of not only teeth, but also the jaw. It is possible to change the width of the palate, the shape of the jaw bones and much more. At an older age, you can correct the shape of your teeth, but you will no longer be able to position your jaw correctly; the bones become coarser.

Symptoms of abnormal bite

Malocclusion can manifest itself with the following symptoms:

• The teeth protrude slightly forward or backward.
• When closing the teeth, you may notice an incorrect position of the jaw.
• The teeth are severely crooked.
• There are gaps between the teeth.
• The rows of teeth are uneven.

Only an orthodontist can make a final diagnosis; if a visual examination is not enough for him, he may prescribe or make a dental impression to accurately determine what type of anomaly it is. But is it possible to correct a child’s malocclusion? forward - can it be treated?

Ways to correct a bite

Today, orthodontists use five main methods to correct malocclusions in children. Each of them gives excellent therapy results:

1. Myotherapy is a special set of exercises. It gives good results only during temporary occlusion. The whole complex is aimed at restoring normal tone of all muscles oral cavity. In turn, this leads to optimal jaw growth, and subsequently to proper teething.
2. Use of orthodontic appliances. It is possible to correct malocclusion in a child, 2 years old or older, using special devices. They help to forcefully move teeth until they are in correct position. If the child is under 6 years old, then plates, trainers or mouth guards are used. But if the child is over 10 years old, then all these devices will not help.
3. Complex treatment. This method of therapy combines devices and surgical manipulations. It is allowed to be used from the age of 6 years.
4. Surgical intervention.
5. Orthopedic correction of bite.

Varieties of designs for correcting malocclusion in children

You can correct a child’s malocclusion using special devices. Each of them gives its own results in therapy, and which one is suitable for a particular baby is selected by the doctor.

1. Plates. These are removable structures that are often used to correct bites. The doctor places the plate in the child's mouth using special springs, loops and wire arcs. With the help of such a device, you can expand the jaw, move teeth, prevent them from twisting and save your baby from bad habits. If a child has a malocclusion, it will take 1 year, and sometimes more, to cope with the pathology.
2. Orthodontic trainers. The difference between these devices and braces is that they can be used to correct bites even in young children. The effect of treatment with these devices is faster and more comfortable for the child. Trainers are made of silicone, and you need to wear them for about an hour day and night, while sleeping.
3. Mouthguards. With their help you can short time correct malocclusion in children. The treatment is very convenient, since the device can be removed at any time, the child does not feel any discomfort and at the same time it is almost invisible on the teeth.
4. Braces. This is a non-removable structure and is not removed throughout the entire treatment. It consists of arches that are attached using clasps, which are already glued to the teeth. Each of the locks is responsible for the position of a specific tooth. Thanks to the tension of the arches, the dentition is aligned. These devices are most often used to treat all types of malocclusions. There are several types of plastic, sapphire and lingual. The doctor decides which is better to choose in a particular case.

Therapy and care methods

Parents of a child with malocclusion need to know that treatment can bring its own unpleasant moments. At the beginning of therapy, the baby may experience pain, irritation, and rubbing of the gums and cheeks. But after a couple of weeks, all symptoms should go away. You should not follow the child’s lead when he whines that he is uncomfortable; the effect of treatment will be better if you follow all the doctor’s recommendations.

After a corrective device is placed in your child's mouth, it must be carefully cared for. For this we recommend a special toothpaste and dental floss.

Devices that are removed must be thoroughly cleaned. It is also necessary to visit the doctor regularly to make adjustments and correct the design.

But in order to prevent bite distortion, you can take preventative measures.

Prevention

As soon as your baby starts teething, you should visit the doctor regularly. At this age, preventive measures can be taken to protect the child from malocclusion:

• Use of myotherapy.
• It is possible to prevent malocclusions in early age by grinding the cutting edges and bumps.
• Oral massage can also help, but a specialist should show you how to do it correctly.

Everyone knows that it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later, therefore, in order to prevent malocclusion in a child, you need to visit the orthodontist at least once a year, and if you notice changes between visits, then earlier.

To correct dental malocclusion, the help of an orthodontist is required. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial disorders that cause malocclusion. Orthodontics includes dentofacial orthopedics - it specializes in eliminating problems associated with jaw growth.

Although orthodontic treatment often improves appearance of the face, and sometimes performed purely for cosmetic purposes, it is used primarily to correct health problems and ensure proper functioning of the mouth. Properly aligned teeth make oral hygiene easier and enable you to chew food more efficiently.

What does orthodontic treatment include?

Orthodontic treatment includes the following:

• straightens misaligned, tilted or otherwise malformed teeth,
• corrects crowded or unevenly spaced teeth,
• corrects bite problems,
• aligns the upper and lower jaws,
• corrects the bite.

Correct or incorrect bite

Not all children have perfectly symmetrical teeth and an ideal bite. Ideally, properly growing teeth satisfy the following characteristics:

• all teeth are straight, have no crowding or spacing between each other,
• the teeth do not turn, they are not twisted or tilted forward or backward,
• teeth upper jaw slightly overlap the teeth of the lower jaw,
• the points of the molars fit into the grooves of the opposite molars.

Types of malocclusions include the following parameters:

Inherited bite

Most malocclusions are caused by hereditary factors, which affect both the size of the teeth and jaw. The most common cause of malocclusion is a disproportion in size between the jaw and teeth or the upper and lower jaws. A child who inherits, for example, his mother's small jaw and his father's large teeth may have teeth that are too large for his jaw. Specific inherited malocclusions include the following conditions:

• overflow,
• too much space between teeth
• extra or missing teeth
• various disorders of the teeth, jaw or face.

Acquired bite

Acquired malocclusions can result from the following:

How to recognize the symptoms of malocclusion

Some children have mild temporary malocclusion symptoms as a result of rapid growth. However, symptoms of malocclusion usually develop gradually, very often around the age of six or seven years. These symptoms may include the following:

• overcrowding or unevenness of teeth,
• abnormal spacing between teeth, which most often occurs because teeth are small or missing,
• incisors (front teeth) protrude
• an open bite occurs, which occurs when the upper and lower incisors do not touch each other when biting, thereby putting unnecessary pressure on the chewing back teeth and causing ineffective chewing and excessive tooth wear,
• there is an abnormal bite in which the upper incisors stick out,
• an overbite or overbite in which the lower incisors are positioned too close to the gum tissue or palate behind upper teeth,
• a bite in which the protruding lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw.

When to start orthodontic treatment in children

Although orthodontic treatment can be done at any age, it is easier, faster and less expensive to straighten children's teeth than adults. Orthodontic treatment is most often performed on older children and teenagers whose teeth are still developing. However, some types of problems are corrected with great success before all the permanent teeth have grown in and facial growth has stopped. Sometimes braces may be required at a very early age. Some problems are only treated early because they can interfere with biting and chewing later on. Early treatment also used when tooth positioning is affected.

Early orthodontic treatment

Early orthodontic intervention can provide the following:

• straighten crooked teeth
• save or create space for permanent teeth,
• guide the growth of permanent teeth into the correct position,
• prevent permanent teeth from impacting gum tissue or jawbone,
• reduce the risk of accidents resulting from protruding upper incisors.
• Other benefits of early orthodontic treatment include the following:
• correction of bite problems, jaw growth and control of the width of the upper and lower jaws,
• reduction or elimination of abnormal swallowing or speech problems,
• reduction and simplification of subsequent orthodontic treatment,
• improvement of appearance.

Consequences of malocclusion

Minor misalignment or crowding of teeth does not require treatment. However, untreated malocclusion can lead to the following consequences:

An untreated malocclusion tends to get worse over time. Temporomandibular joint problems can cause chronic headaches or pain in the face and neck. Too deep a bite can cause severe pain and bone damage, and lead to excessive wear of the incisors.

When do children have bite problems?

Bite problems in children usually become apparent as soon as permanent teeth begin to grow (from about age six). Dentists recommend monitoring the development of the child's permanent teeth and referring the child to an orthodontist if there is a suspicion of malocclusion. Orthodontists recommend that all children aged seven years have their teeth examined.

After a child's lower incisors grow in, the orthodontist can measure the child's jaw and measure the teeth, and based on the rate of growth, it is possible to predict whether the child will have orthodontic problems with the permanent teeth. An orthodontist is able to perform preventative or interceptive orthodontic procedures that can reduce or eliminate the need for braces later on.

Preliminary preparation for an orthodontic procedure

During the procedure, the orthodontist removes one or more permanent teeth The child has. This creates space for permanent teeth, especially unerupted canines, which may affect other teeth or grow abnormally. After tooth extraction or loss, braces or another orthodontic method may be used to prevent the remaining teeth from moving. Sometimes a fixed orthodontic wire is used as a retainer for subsequent permanent teeth and is inserted between existing teeth to maintain available space.

Preliminary preparation for an orthodontic procedure is necessary to establish a diagnosis, determine the course of treatment, and measure progress as a result of treatment. Preparation is usually:

• complete medical and dental history,
• clinical examination,
• X-rays to determine the development of unerupted, missing or impacted teeth, damaged roots, and the amount of bone supporting the teeth,
• identifying the size and position of the teeth and jaw, as well as the shape of the face, growth pattern, inclination of the teeth,
• making plastic bite marks,
• photographs and other measurements of teeth and face.

Development of an individual treatment plan

Based on the diagnosis, the orthodontist develops individual plan treatment with appropriate corrective appliances that will gradually straighten or move the teeth. Severe overcrowding may require extraction of permanent teeth, usually premolars, to create space before using braces to move them.

By applying constant gentle pressure in a specific direction, the brace can slowly move the teeth through the supporting bone to a new position. Springs and wires apply pressure to the teeth to straighten them. Braces and other devices can be removable or fixed and made of clear or non-ferrous metal, ceramic or plastic. Removable appliances often take the form of plastic plates that fit well into the dentition in your mouth.

What are the types of orthodontic devices?

Fixed braces apply more pressure than removable braces. They consist of wires and springs that are held in place by small staples glued to the outer surface incisors and sometimes premolars. Linguals have brackets attached to the back of the teeth. Molar bands can also be used for attachments. Wires, springs, and other devices attached to brackets or bands apply pressure to the teeth, gradually moving them into new positions. Nickel titanium devices are very lightweight, and some are heat activated. They are very flexible at room temperature, and actively begin to move teeth, heating up to body temperature.

Devices used to assist with immediate jaw growth and development in growing children and adolescents include:

• removable braces, which are usually worn for 10-12 hours at night, put pressure on the upper jaw, and affect the direction and rate of growth of the upper jaw and upper teeth,
• devices attached to the upper and lower molars in severe overbites - hold the lower jaw forward, affecting its growth and tooth position, and also force the jaw muscles to work relative to the progressive development of the lower jaw (treatment is carried out several years before the jaw stops growing ),
• palatal or maxillary expansion devices, which can widen a narrow upper jaw and correct the bite within a few months,
• removable devices that hold the lower jaw forward and correct tooth eruption, helping the upper and lower jaws grow proportionately.

How long does an orthodontic procedure take?

Orthodontic treatment usually continues until desired result. Active orthodontic treatment lasts an average of two years, with a range of one to three years. Some children respond to treatment more quickly than others, and interceptive or early intervention may last for only a few months. Orthodevices are periodically adjusted during the treatment process. Factors influencing the duration of treatment include:

• growth rate of the mouth and face,
• severity of the problem
• health of teeth, gums and bones.

Hygiene when wearing braces and braces

Orthodontic appliances trap food, bacteria and plaque, leading to tooth decay. In the area of ​​installing braces or appliances to teeth, you will need to use an extra brush with a special profiled surface and fluoride toothpaste. The tops and bases of the screeds are brushed from top to bottom and bottom to top, and irrigated with a stream of water. If possible, teeth should be flossed. A fluoride mouth rinse may be recommended. Removable appliances should be brushed every time your teeth are brushed. Regular dental examinations are also necessary.

Nutrition with installed orthodontic devices

Children with braces should eat more raw fruits and vegetables, and avoid soft, processed and refined foods, as well as hard or sticky foods, including chewing gum, caramel, peanuts, ice cubes and popcorn. Chewing on hard objects, such as fingernails or pencils, can also damage your braces. Children with braces should wear a mouth guard when active games and contact sports.

Removing orthodontic braces and braces

After braces are removed, the teeth must be stabilized in their new positions. This phase of treatment usually takes two to three years. Types of fixators used for stabilization include:

• positioning rubber devices that are worn at night or for several hours during the day,
• removable retainers with a plastic plate that snaps into the mouth and has wires on the outside of the teeth,
• removable, clear, plastic clips that completely cover the sides chewing surfaces teeth,
• semi-rigid wires that are connected at inside incisors.

Side and negative effects

Braces may cause discomfort when they are first installed or may not be adjusted correctly during treatment. During the first three to five days, teeth may be damaged by biting. The lips, cheeks and tongue may be irritated for one to two weeks before adjusting to the braces. may interfere with speech in the first days. Damaged devices may prolong treatment times and negatively affect treatment results.

Food particles and plaque deposits around orthodontic appliances can cause demineralization of tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay and permanent whitish scarring on the teeth.

Prognosis of orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatment is generally a successful method of correcting malocclusions. Even significant discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws can often be corrected with orthodontics. Sometimes, especially in adults, corrective orthognathic surgery may be necessary to shorten or lengthen the lower jaw. The height of the lower part of the face can also be shortened or lengthened. Sometimes surgery shortens the duration of orthodontic treatment.

In general, an orthodontic problem detected early is less expensive for parents and easier to correct. Parents can compare their child's dental development with standard charts and pictures.

When to see an orthodontist

Children with jaw width or length problems should see a doctor no later than age 10 for girls and age 12 for boys. Signs that children may need early orthodontic evaluation include:

• early or late loss of baby teeth,
• frequent or abnormally growing teeth,
• gap between upper and lower teeth,
• difficulty biting or chewing food,
• breathing through the mouth,
• jaw shift,
• disproportionate jaws and teeth.

Denial of responsibility: The information presented in this article about how to correct malocclusion and other dental growth problems is intended to inform the reader only. It is not intended to be a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.

Malocclusion is a violation of the natural function of teeth closure. This defect is one of the most common problems in orthodontics. At the same time, correction, as well as its detection and prevention, are equally important for both children and adults.

Photo 1. Dental malocclusion has been treated, is being treated and will continue to be treated

Signs: what it looks like

To understand what malocclusion means and how to define it, you must first understand what should the bite be like ideally?. An “orthognathic bite” is considered healthy when the upper row of teeth slightly overlaps the lower one. At the same time, the chewing function is as effective as possible. If disturbances occur during teething or jaw growth, negative changes may occur:

1. With an incorrect bite, the lower jaw is pushed forward, or more often there is a violation - the lower jaw is located back, and upper teeth project strongly forward.
2. Teeth located in the dentition are out of place - loss from the dentition, second row of teeth.
3. Underdevelopment of the lower jaw, as well as a common phenomenon when the upper jaw protrudes strongly forward.

Unfortunately, such defects in children are not always a cause for concern for their parents, and some of them even like such changes. However, as the child grows up, his facial features change only for the worse: an ugly smile and a clearly crooked arrangement of teeth, as well as the risk of developing periodontal disease - these are the unpleasant consequences who are already waiting for him adolescence. Thus, this defect should be identified and corrected from childhood.

And although only a qualified orthodontist can determine the exact state of the bite, there are the most common changes that are clearly visible visually:

• protruding upper lip;
• crooked teeth;
• incorrectly touching dentition;
• overdeveloped lower jaw, protruding forward.

If at least one of the listed signs You should immediately make an appointment for your child to see a specialist.

Causes

Usually, to find out why a malocclusion formed, you need to look into the patient’s childhood. Most often, the cause of this defect is a genetic factor, when a child inherits the size of teeth and bite shape of his parents. In this case, the resulting pathologies are very serious and difficult to treat. Another common cause of dental problems is intrauterine development: anemia, metabolic problems, viral diseases, intrauterine infection, as well as other pathologies of pregnancy (bite treatment and pregnancy), which can lead to further development diseases.

But even excluding genetic and intrauterine factors, the likelihood of a defect in the formation of the dentition after the birth of a child is also quite high. This is due to many underlying causes that influence the formation of teeth and bite. Here are some of them:

• birth injury;
• artificial feeding;
• breathing problems;
• thumb or pacifier sucking;
• haste or delay in removing baby teeth;
• incorrect bite after prosthetics;
• deficiency of fluorine and calcium in the body;
• disruption of the eruption process;
• malnutrition and dental caries;
• metabolic problems;
• diseases and injuries of the dental system.

As for malocclusion in adults, the most common cause its formation is the untimely replacement of extracted teeth through dental implantation or less effective, but more affordable prosthetics on bridges

Consequences: does it need to be corrected and why is it dangerous?

With an incorrect bite, the consequences can be very serious: the load on individual teeth increases, the enamel wears off much faster, and sensitivity increases. If the bite height decreases, the face loses symmetry and the risk of damage to the temporomandibular joint increases. The frequency of injuries to the surface of the cheeks and tongue is increasing, which leads to the formation of traumatic ulcers.

Among the risks of malocclusion are often added physical damage to the gums, as well as a general impairment of the functions of chewing, breathing, speech, swallowing and facial expressions. Thus, with a frontal open bite, biting and speaking become significantly more difficult. In the case of the lateral one, the chewing function suffers. And with the distal form of deep bite, breathing disturbance is observed. Against the background of these changes, a number of diseases of the digestive organs, nasopharynx, hearing aid And respiratory system.

Kinds

To highlight the main types of this disease First of all, you should understand the types of it correct form, and also find out what is affected by malocclusion with physiological point vision.

The determination of the correct bite is based on the natural closure of both jaws, in which the upper dentition should overlap the lower one by 1/3, and the interaction of the molars is based on the principle of clear closure of antagonist teeth with each other.

Main features

• When the jaws close, the teeth located in the upper row naturally come into contact with the teeth of the same name from the lower row;
• a conventional vertical line drawn along the face runs in the center between the lower and upper central incisors;
• there are no significant gaps between adjacent teeth one row;
• speech and chewing functions are normal.

Abnormal or malocclusion, in turn, is the result of genetic or acquired changes that cause various defects jaw and/or dentition. Usually they mean various deviations from the norm in the process of closing the lower and upper teeth, in which it is possible complete absence contact in certain areas, which leads to significant distortion of the shape of the face and disruption of the functions of the dentofacial apparatus.

Depending on the characteristics of the existing anomaly, it is customary to distinguish the following types of malocclusion:

• open(most of the teeth of each row do not close);
• deep(the incisors of the upper row overlap the front surface of the lower teeth by more than 50%);
• mesial(there is a noticeable protrusion of the lower jaw forward);
• distal(underdevelopment of the lower jaw or overdevelopment of the upper jaw);
• dystopia (some teeth are out of place);
• cross(one side of either jaw is not fully developed).

To understand what any type of malocclusion leads to, it is enough to remember the consequences of not healthy teeth for the whole organism, which, as is known, always pose a danger. Therefore, it is not recommended to take this problem to an extreme degree, otherwise new diseases may arise that require separate treatment.

Prevention of development

As mentioned earlier, most dental defects come from childhood. And to avoid unnecessary hassle on the topic how to fix an overbite and what to do, parents should prevent the development of this disease in their child.

In case of absence genetic predisposition All prevention is based on simple rules:

• Take care of your health during pregnancy. Mineralization of a child’s teeth begins from the 20th week, and therefore during this period it is extremely important to consume the required amount of calcium and fluoride;
• Follow the rules of feeding your baby. Since the lower jaw of a newborn is smaller than the upper, its dimensions are equalized during the sucking process, when all the main muscles of the face are involved. In the case of artificial feeding, this does not happen, because big sizes holes in the bottle make the baby swallow milk more quickly. As a result, the risk of developing malocclusion increases significantly;
• Monitor your child's breathing - he should breathe through his nose. Only oral or mixed breathing causes a narrowing of the upper row of teeth and slows down the growth process of the upper jaw, which often leads to the development of an open bite;
• rid your child of old habits. Formation is often associated with thumb or pacifier sucking at the age when baby teeth begin to emerge. And even incorrect posture can lead to the development of serious defects;
• visit the dentist. To once and for all stop thinking about what to do if a malocclusion develops, regularly take your child for examination to a specialist, who will diagnose and eliminate this problem in a timely manner.

How to fix it: treatment with and without braces

The options for how to hide and treat malocclusion in childhood and adulthood are very similar, but still differ in their specificity. Thus, the main problem in treating malocclusion in adults is that they jaw bones fully formed and grow slowly, requiring great effort to effective correction. Also, “aged” patients most often have not the healthiest teeth, often covered with fillings and partially destroyed various factors, which greatly complicates dental prosthetics.

On the other side, high level motivation and conscious interest in positive result are able to compensate for the physical characteristics of adult patients, and therefore treatment of malocclusion can be slow but stable.

Correction

When treating malocclusions, braces are the primary treatment option among teenagers and adults. This orthodontic design is non-removable and consists of a chain of locks or brackets fixed to the surface of the teeth with special glue and an arch. The most common are metal braces. At the same time, they can be very aesthetic. There are also vestibular and external brace systems made from completely transparent materials: ceramics, sapphire or plastic. And lingual (internal) structures allow you to completely hide the fact of their presence, since they are attached to the back surface of the teeth.

Treatment by surgery

Despite the popularity of braces, many people want to know whether it is possible to correct an overbite surgically. Yes, this treatment option is possible. However, it is justified only in the case of very serious defects: disruption of the structure of the jaw bones, their asymmetry and disproportion. In general, this approach is very effective, but also more dangerous, since any operation is, first of all, a risk.

According to statistics, only one child out of four has a correct bite, while the rest have various reasons often diagnose any pathology. The bite begins to form in children immediately after birth. The baby, succumbing to instincts, sucks the mother's breast or pacifier, trying to satisfy his hunger. During the feeding process, the baby protrudes the lower jaw forward. Without exception, all experts are inclined to favor breastfeeding, since this process is the most physiological for the baby. Moms should listen to the advice of specialists, this way they can avoid further health problems caused by malocclusion.

Signs of malocclusion in children with photos

There are several signs with clear manifestations of malocclusion. The child may have gaps between the teeth, as shown in the photo, the dentition is disturbed, the teeth are either turned along the axis, or pushed forward or backward. With such pathologies, the lower jaw has an incorrect position when closing.

A doctor will help you make a diagnosis; he will examine the oral cavity and determine the type of bite. Sometimes a visual examination is not enough; an x-ray examination is required; in some cases, the dentist is forced to make an impression of the teeth.

There are many types of malocclusion:

• mesial, when a person pushes the lower jaw forward;
• distal is manifested by an underdeveloped lower jaw;
• deep, when the lower incisors overlap the upper ones;
• open - there is a gap between the upper and lower rows of teeth when they close;
• cross is characterized by a displacement of the lower jaw to the side.

Causes of the anomaly

The most common causes of malocclusion include disturbances in the eruption of crowns and the growth of the jaw bones. Genetic factors also have a huge influence accompanying illnesses and habits:

1. Incorrect bite may develop due to chronic diseases ENT organs. If a baby has impaired nasal breathing, he has to open his mouth slightly, and as a result, pathology develops.
2. Parents should pay attention to bad habits of his child, he may constantly bite his lips or tongue, suck his fingers or stick his jaw forward. The baby must be weaned off the pacifier as early as possible, otherwise his front teeth will not erupt correctly.
3. Sometimes improper formation of the dental system develops in the fetus while still in the womb. The reason for this may be various pathological conditions women during pregnancy. Anemia, viral diseases and other factors may contribute to developmental disorders of the baby.
4. They play an equally important role in the formation of malocclusion in a child. etiological factors. The child may receive a birth injury, his temporary teeth may not be removed in time or destroyed by caries.
5. Poor nutrition and mineral deficiency negatively affect the condition of bone tissue. Adults encounter a similar problem only in rare cases when dental implantation or orthopedic treatment was performed incorrectly.

At what age can the situation be corrected?

Correcting malocclusion in children is a long and complex process. It is hardly possible to eliminate the anomaly on your own. Loving parents need to do everything to have a specialist examine their child before he turns 2-3 years old. In children at such an early age, the doctor can identify the problem and give a prognosis for the future. As a rule, the use of one of the treatment methods (hardware, surgical, orthopedic) helps correct a child’s malocclusion and allows him to forget about this problem forever.

Child 1 year old

At this age, the danger lies in the seemingly harmless pacifier. It is its use that contributes to the formation of malocclusion in one-year-old children. To minimize the risks associated with the development of malocclusions, mothers need to monitor the position of the baby’s head during breastfeeding and sleep, avoiding tilting it back.

You should carefully plan your diet; a growing body requires a sufficient amount of vitamins, macro- and microelements. If a child of 1 year of age does not receive enough calcium and fluoride, then his teeth will begin to grow later. This will have Negative influence on bite formation.

Age 3-5 years

If your child is over 3 years old and has not yet visited an orthodontist, then you should put everything aside and visit him as soon as possible. dental clinic. The doctor will assess the condition of the teeth, the quality of the enamel and the correctness milk bite. During the examination, the dentist will also pay attention to the closure of the side crowns.

Bite pathology can be corrected starting from the age of four. By the time the child enters the first grade of an educational institution, the anomaly can be eliminated. Good results can be achieved through the use of plates and trainers; they are quite flexible, but at the same time successfully guide the teeth. They are used during night sleep. The age under 5 years is best suited for correcting a child’s bite. Bone in babies it is not yet dense enough, and the teeth are mobile.

Age up to 14 years

Malocclusion can be corrected at any age, but during the period of rapid growth and formation of the dental system, treatment gives the best results. Uncorrected in childhood bite leads to diseases of the digestive and respiratory systems, speech defects. Such children are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease and caries. In this regard, you should not delay treatment; you should try to correct the bite before the child reaches the age of 14 years.

Between the ages of six and fourteen, baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, and the jaw bones actively grow, allowing new teeth to take up space. Trainers at this age will help correct the bite so that the jaws develop correctly in the future.

Fixes

There are many ways to correct a child’s bite. The most common and effective method of treatment is hardware. Due to special designs that can be used by patients over 16 years of age, it is possible to eliminate anomalies. If the doctor considers the use of plates and trainers inappropriate, then the bite can be corrected using the orthopedic method. Veneers are most often used. IN difficult cases The help of a surgeon or complex treatment may be required.

Using the device

Trainers are made from silicone in special production facilities. These are some of the best designs to correct malocclusion in children. Trainers are worn for short periods of time every day, usually at night. Such devices are invisible on the teeth and are easy to use; even a 5-year-old child can handle them.

If a child develops an abnormal bite and has crowded teeth, this is a direct indication for the use of removable appliances. Trainers successfully straighten teeth if there are gaps between them. For the hardware method of correcting the bite, other modern removable devices can be used: LM-activator and myobrace.

Plate

The plates are convenient because they can be removed at any time. To install an orthodontic plate, a preliminary fitting is required; it is adjusted to each patient individually. To achieve the desired effect from using plates, the patient must visit an orthodontist. After the examination, the doctor makes impressions of the teeth and a plate is made based on them. Subsequently, the orthodontist can adjust the position of the springs and hooks, guiding the teeth in the desired direction.

Constant wearing of removable plates allows you to correct the bite on early stages development of anomalies, but they need to be removed as rarely as possible. Children do not like to wear such structures, so parents need to explain to their offspring the seriousness of the problem and constantly monitor them so that the kids cannot remove the plates unnoticed.

Surgical intervention

If conservative methods do not allow you to correct the bite, then you should resort to surgical treatment. You should not refuse the operation, because the health of the baby is in the balance. Doctors always try to correct any type of malocclusion using mouthguards, braces, veneers and other removable structures, and only in exceptional cases, when it is necessary to eliminate skeletal deformities, do they prescribe surgery. They also resort to the help of surgeons if it is necessary to remove teeth. Subsequently, the remaining gaps help align the dentition.

Surgeons put the patient under anesthesia, then realign the lower jaw and secure it properly using a splint. After two weeks the splint is removed.

Braces

Braces are non-removable structures. The patient has to wear them throughout the entire treatment. Braces consisting of two arches are attached using clasps that are glued to the crown. The position of each tooth is adjusted by a lock. The arches, stretching, align the dentition. Any type of bite can be corrected using such structures.

Braces are not always made of metal. They can be plastic, sapphire or a combination. The choice in favor of one or another braces remains with the attending doctor.

Myogymnastics

Malocclusion in children can be eliminated with the help of myotherapy. By doing special exercises, the child trains chewing and facial muscles. This method helps eliminate malocclusion in young children (4 years old). Parents should ensure that their child does regular exercise correctly. At this age, you cannot do without adult control.

Consequences of abnormal bite

If you do not take timely measures to correct a child’s malocclusion, then you may encounter a number of diseases that arise as a result of it. The anomaly leads to changes in the dental system. The joint in the lower jaw experiences serious overload, and headaches may occur.

Due to the fact that a child cannot chew food properly, not only the teeth, which quickly wear out, suffer, but also the digestive organs. Increased risk inflammatory diseases oral cavity. A deep bite leads to injuries to the mucous membranes of the mouth. A person cannot bite, chew and swallow food correctly, teeth become mobile, and periodontal disease develops. Often people with malocclusion suffer from diseases of the ENT organs and their breathing worsens.

Incorrect bite leads to aesthetic defects. A person is embarrassed by his smile, against this background he develops various complexes. It can be difficult for him to communicate with others. Therefore, the situation should be corrected as early as possible to avoid negative consequences.