You may be familiar that misaligned teeth can result in bite and dental impairments, but did you know that jaw alignment deformities can also cause these difficulties? The jaw is misaligned when the top and lower teeth do not meet comfortably in the mouth. Overbite, in which the upper teeth protrude, and underbite, in which the lower teeth lay in front of the upper teeth, are the two most prevalent forms of misalignment.

Many people have misaligned jaws, which can cause physical and mental discomfort when they feel self-conscious or uncomfortable. If a misaligned jaw is not treated, it can cause trouble eating, breathing, sleeping, speaking, and severe pain. Dentists and orthodontists provide various misaligned jaw treatment options, which can take up to a year or more, depending on the severity of your condition.

What A Misaligned Jaw Looks Like

Misaligned jaws are often bothersome and visible, and many children are teased by their classmates because of this. Our “bite” relates to where our upper and lower teeth meet, which affects how we bite down, eat, and talk. An underbite and an overbite are the most prevalent bite problems. An underbite arises when the bottom jaw sits in front of the upper jaw, and an overbite occurs when the upper jaw protrudes irregularly over the lower jaw.

While these impairments appear to be unattractive, they have far-reaching consequences. Underbite causes a bulldog impression because the lower jaw protrudes out, putting a lot of strain on the joints and causing dental wear. Overbites cause buck teeth to protrude so that they can break easily and make closing the mouth and lips difficult. They also cause an elongated face, speech difficulties, and an increased risk of dental decay as oral tissue gets dry. Treatment options such as dental braces, cosmetic dentistry, and oral surgery are common methods to resolve the problem, depending on the extent of the misalignment and which bite is involved.

Treatment Options

Braces

Braces are one of the most commonly used treatments for jaw and tooth alignment issues. Metal brackets are attached to the teeth and connected with a wire in the conventional braces treatment. This wire will progressively tighten, bringing the teeth and jaw into alignment. Metal braces are generally worn for 18 to 22 months, but this can differ from person to person.

Headgear Braces

When traditional braces are ineffective, dentists may advise headgear braces. Headgear is made up of wires surrounding the inside and outside of the mouth. Retraction headgear is used to rescind the upper jaw, whereas protraction headgear is applied to move the upper jaw forward while keeping the lower jaw stable. The headgear should be worn 12-14 hours daily, with the total amount of time required depending on the patient’s specific needs.

Upper Jaw Expander

Upper jaw expanders are wire-frame devices that fit throughout the upper palate and can be used to remedy an underbite. The patient uses a special key to slowly widen the expander each night, causing the upper jaw to expand. This procedure usually takes about a year, after which the device is replaced with a retainer.

Jaw Surgery

Orthognathic or jaw surgery, which straightens or realigns your jaw, is the most severe remedy for a misaligned jaw. It may be advised if the jaw misalignment interferes with daily activities such as conversing, eating, and sleeping. The cost of corrective jaw surgery is determined by a number of considerations, including the surgery type (in-patient or outpatient), the intensity of the misaligned jaw, and other patient-specific conditions.

The Significance of Orthodontic Visits

While many bite difficulties are evident, others are so subtle that detection will be tricky. In these cases, it is essential that adults and children have regular dental visits to monitor tooth movement and development. Orthodontic visits are necessary, particularly for younger children, to oversee jaw development, observe incoming teeth, decrease the chance of impacted teeth, and identify hidden dental problems. Not only will your teeth be inspected, but your jaws and mouth will be cleaned and checked for signs of associated symptoms, decay, and disorder. These visits also provide patients with the knowledge they need to develop a better dental routine to keep their teeth well-maintained and free of decay during and after dental therapy.