Misaligned teeth: Causes, Classification & Treatment Options

If you are not as pleased with your smile as you could be, schedule an appointment for an evaluation. Teeth straightening options have come a long way in recent years- there are choices that are discreet and fast, often providing results in less than a year.

Want to learn more? Talk to the team at Ammons Dental by Design today!

When it comes to misalignment of your teeth, there are different types and classifications. The severity of your misalignment often dictates which treatment options are most prudent- and likely to be effective. Some of the types of dental misalignment issues include:

• Crossbite is typically caused by a jaw misalignment- and it manifests in the upper and lower jaw not meeting and lining-up properly.
• An Overbite is the condition when your upper teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth in the mouth. Severe cases can make it difficult or painful to eat.
• Underbites, also called prognathism, are more serious than overbites and can cause aesthetic issues to the entire face. When you have an underbite, the lower teeth protrude further than the upper teeth.
• Crooked teeth vary in their degree of severity, and they may cause more problems than simply aesthetic. Crooked teeth typically refer to how the teeth meet and fit together when you close your mouth. While 'crooked teeth' can describe most misalignments, the term usually focuses on the way the faces of the teeth meet.
• Malocclusion is a common issue of the upper and lower teeth being crowded and not aligning properly when you close your mouth. This is another word for crooked teeth conditions.
• Gaps or excessive spacing are also forms of misalignment in the mouth. Too much spacing between the teeth can make it difficult to bite or to properly brush and floss.
• Crowded teeth can overlap and push other teeth out of alignment. This is often seen in patients with small or underdeveloped jaws.
• Open bite refers to how the incisor teeth meet. If they do not meet properly and overlap, it can cause problems with biting or eating.

Diagnosing your misalignment and determining the next steps begins with a visit to your dental provider. Some patients may have more than one type of dental misalignment to be corrected.

There could be a lot of reasons why you have misaligned teeth. The most prevalent reason is likely genetics; if your parents had misalignments- like crooked teeth or a severe overbite- you may also have one. Some other causes of misalignment include these:

• Thumb sucking after age three
• Breathing through the mouth rather than the nose
• Pacifier use after age three
• Cleft lip or palate
• Enlarged adenoids
• Mouth or tooth trauma
• Ill-fitting dental work or hardware

Your dentist may be able to determine the cause of your misalignment based on their assessment of your mouth. This may help point toward the most prudent treatment approach, too.

When discussing and comparing the types of misalignments, there is a classification system in-place. Your provider may use a different gauge, but the following criteria ranks both the severity of your misalignment, as well as the repercussions of the misalignment on your oral health and wellbeing.

The classifications of dental misalignments are:

• Class I: Class I Malocclusions are most common and are typically some degree of a dental overbite. These misalignments do not usually impact the ability to speak or eat.
• Class II: Class II is a bit more sever than Class I, often referred to as retrognathism.
• Class III: Class III, or prognathism, is the most serious and severe of the misalignment classifications. Class III is a more serious case of and overbite or an underbite that causes difficulty with speaking or chewing.

When you are talking about Class III Malocclusions, there is usually pain involved and surgery may be clinically indicated to resolve the misalignment.

The treatment options for misalignments vary depending on the severity of your condition. The most popular ways to straighten teeth and improve smiles are usually braces and Invisalign, which are clear alignment trays.

Your dental provider will be able to tell you if your misalignment merits straightening- as well as which methods make the most sense for you. When it comes to correcting a dental misalignment, the sooner you do it, the better. That is not to say that it is ever too late for corrective measures, it is simply easier when your adult teeth are continuing to develop.

Treatment options include:

• Traditional metal braces
• Clear aligners, like Invisalign
• Veneers
• Dental implants
• Corrective surgery on teeth and/or jaw

Invisible clear aligners are fast becoming the most popular choice among dental patients straightening their teeth. The applications of aligners, like Invisalign, are wide- though they are not the recommended approach for severe or Class III misalignments. In these instances, metal braces would be more pragmatic and effective.

If you live in South Carolina, you can talk to the team at Ammons Dental by Design, to schedule an appointment at one of their locations in downtown Charleston, Summerville, Camden, or James Island.

Ammons Dental by Design offers it all for their patients- from straightening your teeth to emergency dental, too. If you have misaligned teeth, the first thing to do is to get an evaluation and consult with Dr. Michael Ammons. Determining a cause and diagnosis can make treatment options more effective, too. Contact us to schedule your appointment at our Camden, Charleston, James Island, or Summerville locations today.