When you go in for check-ups or treatments with Ottawa orthodontists, you’ll probably come across the word “malocclusion.” Malocclusions are the primary focus of the orthodontic field. Orthodontic science is all about finding effective treatments for malocclusions, and these issues are what orthodontists spend most of their time on. Of course, for a complete description of what malocclusions are, Ottawa orthodontists are great sources. But if you want to have a little bit of knowledge before going to your orthodontic appointment, here are some basic facts.
What are malocclusions?
The word has Latin origins—mal, meaning “bad,” and occludere, a verb meaning “to close.” When you combine these two words into a noun form, you get “malocclusion”—that is, “bad closure.” When we talk about orthodontic malocclusions, we mean this literally: a malocclusion is a bad closure in the jaw. There are many possible sources for these bad closures, including crossbite, underbite, overbite, or crowding of the teeth. Everyone has malocclusions to some extent, and most of them aren’t serious enough to need treatment from Ottawa orthodontists. However, other forms of malocclusions can be serious threats to one’s dental and overall health. These should be caught and treated as early as possible.
What causes malocclusions?
Genetics can play a large role in determining whether an individual will develop malocclusions. However, things like environmental factors, poor nutrition, and chewing habits can also be major factors. Among young children, one of the most common habits leading to malocclusions is sucking one’s fingers or thumbs. Over time, this habit can cause the child’s jaw to become misaligned in any number of ways. These issues are much more common in children—as their jaws are still in a state of development—although many adults are no strangers to malocclusions resulting from long habits or ordinary wear and tear.
What are malocclusions diagnosed
There are some malocclusions that dentists and Ottawa orthodontists can recognize instantly just by looking at them. However, just because a malocclusion isn’t visible doesn’t mean that it’s not present, at least in nascent form. That’s why methods such as X-rays and plaster impressions are frequently used to detect whether children have early-stage malocclusions. The more often you take your child in for orthodontic check-ups, the easier it will be to detect malocclusions before they develop.
How malocclusions are treated
For malocclusion treatment, Ottawa orthodontists have three main options:
1. Removable mouth appliances: Removable mouth appliances primarily include headgear and retainers. These are usually worn during sleep, and they help guide minor misalignments into place.
2. Fixed mouth appliances: Braces are the most common type of fixed mouth appliance. They are similar to removable appliances, but they’re used to treat more severe cases, applying heavier pressure over greater periods of time.
3. Surgery: Ottawa orthodontists are qualified to perform many types of one-time operations to fix certain types of malocclusions.
How to prevent malocclusions
The main goal of orthodontics is to prevent malocclusions before they happen, and in general, prevention is much easier than treatment after the fact. Regular check-ups are important, but parents should remember that good dental practices start at home. Children should be discouraged from sucking fingers or thumbs, and they should learn tooth-care practices as early as possible.
