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Is it necessary to correct an overbite? What methods of bite correction are effective, and how much does such a procedure cost? Orthodontic plates for bite correction

Our expert - dentist Ksenia Okatova.

In most cases, it is not difficult to assess whether your child is one of the lucky 10% of people who do not have problems with teeth closing or not. And you can start from the age of three, when the child usually has all his milk teeth completely erupted.

“Say: fish!” - "Herring!"

First, you need to evaluate the overall symmetry of your own face. And then ask the child to clench his teeth and smile, exposing his gums. That's right - when the upper front teeth cover the lower ones by about a third, and the teeth themselves are located evenly and without gaps. Now you need to draw an imaginary vertical line through the middle of the child’s face, and if it passes evenly between the front incisors of the upper and lower jaw, then most likely everything is in order. Additionally, it is worth paying attention to whether there is excess plaque on some teeth. This may be due to insufficient chewing load on the area. Bleeding gums and speech therapy problems may also be reasons for a visit to the orthodontist. If a child does not like to chew solid food and always refuses offers to chew an apple or carrot, then showing him to the orthodontist will also not hurt. And finally, be sure to take your child to the dentist if he complains of chronic headaches (they may be associated with dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint).

Everything is not as it should be

The consequences of an incorrect bite can be:

asymmetrical development of facial bones;
dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints (which, in addition to unpleasant sounds when chewing or even when yawning, also brings very serious headaches);
oral injuries;
disturbances in speech, chewing and breathing functions;
development of diseases of the stomach and ENT organs, multiple caries. Therefore, teeth need to be corrected not only for the sake of beauty.

Do it once!

In children of kindergarten age, bite correction is carried out using myotherapy - gymnastics for the chewing muscles and oral cavity. This method is also excellent for preventing dental problems. True, after 7 years, such gymnastics can no longer be used as an independent method of treatment; it is used only in combination. For example, a doctor may prescribe myotherapy before or, conversely, after orthodontic treatment. In the first case, to prepare the dentofacial apparatus for wearing plates. In the second - to consolidate the achieved results.

As in any fitness, systematicity is important here (gymnastics should be done daily), sufficient but not excessive intensity, gradualness (exercises should go from simple to complex) and, of course, correct execution, so parents should monitor how the baby is doing. The exercises that the orthodontist recommends are simple: you need to open your mouth wide or push your lower jaw forward as much as possible, hold a pencil between your teeth, puff out your cheeks, yawn, click your tongue, fold your lips into a tube and blow the fluff off an imaginary dandelion. But each type of bite has its own exercises, so only a doctor should develop a complex. Therapeutic exercise for the jaws promotes better tissue nutrition, which means effective and, most importantly, proper growth of the muscles and bones of the jaw apparatus, as well as improving its functioning. With constant myogymnastics, you can correct your malocclusion. Of course, if the pathology is not too significant.

Start a record

In more complex cases and for older children, it is impossible to do without removable structures - plates or trainers. These devices mechanically move teeth and stimulate jawbone growth. For teenagers, soft trainers (aligners) and hard braces are used. Vestibular plates and trainers generally need to be worn for an hour during the day and worn at night. If the defect is associated with inappropriate size or incorrect position of the jaw bones, surgery is resorted to. But in children, surgical treatment is used very rarely, because, unlike adults, they can still influence bone growth using exclusively conservative means. However, parents should know that the sooner they show their child to the orthodontist, the shorter and cheaper the treatment will be.

Reasons for the development of malocclusion

Long-term sucking of a pacifier and artificial feeding (after all, when eating from a bottle, the baby’s jaw does not receive the proper load, as with natural feeding).
Mouth breathing (for example, with adenoids, chronic sinusitis).
Thumb sucking or sucking on the lower lip, or inserting the tongue between the teeth.
Improper swallowing (normally this should happen almost imperceptibly, but some children, when swallowing, for example, puff out their cheeks or tense their lips).
Incorrect posture.

Types of malocclusion

Mesial (or reverse) bite. The most common pathology. The lower jaw protrudes forward, overlapping the upper. This worsens the facial anatomy and leads to external deformities. Perhaps a forward chin will not spoil the manly appearance of a young man, but the girl will no longer look so attractive.

Distal (prognathic) bite. Overdevelopment of the upper jaw or underdevelopment of the lower jaw. Here the picture is the opposite - the chin moves back, and not a trace remains of the masculinity of the appearance. Such a profile will not decorate a girl either.

Open bite- the teeth of both jaws do not meet from the side (lateral open bite) or from the front (anterior open bite). It is believed that such a bite provokes excessive wear of the enamel.

Deep (or traumatic) bite. The upper incisors cover the lower ones by more than half. The profile changes, the chin is depressed, the digestive tract and self-esteem suffer.

Reducing bite. Formed as a result of wear or loss of teeth.

Crossbite. There is a horizontal displacement of one jaw relative to the other. In this case, the dental rows intersect each other. Apparently, they say about this kind of bite: “Tooth does not fit on tooth.” It threatens many disorders: from poor functioning of the digestive tract to speech therapy problems.

Dental problems are a very common problem. It is not surprising that many are interested in the issue of correcting bites in adults, what methods are used, prices for various methods and reviews of patients who have already tried them on themselves.

Often in adolescence, a child does not want to “spoil” his appearance with unaesthetic braces and is embarrassed by such treatment. It seems much easier to leave everything as is. And only over time comes the understanding that this is not only a problem with the appearance of the smile, but also with health in general.

Why is it important to correct malocclusion?

Bite changes can be very different. Doctors identify the following types of anomalies:

Distal or prognathic - the upper jaw moves forward strongly, while the lower jaw remains underdeveloped;
Mesial – when the lower teeth protrude particularly;
Open - some of the units in the row do not close together as expected;
Deep bite – the upper jaw overlaps the other by more than half;
Cross – displacement of rows in the horizontal plane;
Dystopia is an incorrect arrangement of permanent teeth.

All these anomalies develop for various reasons:

hereditary, genetic factor;
problems during the mother's pregnancy;
malnutrition in childhood;
bad habits;
frequent illnesses;
mechanical damage and injury.

tendency to increased enamel abrasion;
frequent breakdowns of installed prostheses;
wear and weakness of the temporomandibular joint;
visible changes in the oval of the face, the appearance of wrinkles.

Treatment is necessary if you exhibit at least one of the following symptoms:

any visible aesthetic defects;
violations of jaw closure in any of the above options;
problems that are displayed externally on facial proportions;
painful sensations when processing food.

Photos before and after

Methods for correcting bites in adults

Depending on the wishes of the patient, the characteristics of his health and the complexity of the defect, a more suitable method of occlusion correction in adults is selected.

Braces.
Surgery.
Alternative methods.
What can you do at home?

These types of orthodontic structures remain the most reliable in the treatment of all categories of patients. And with already formed tissues and the skeletal system, braces are considered almost the only products that can cope with the problem of improper positioning of teeth. Doctors especially insist on their use when severe anomalies are observed that are not amenable to other types of treatment.

But this system also has disadvantages:

they are visible to others throughout the entire period of treatment;
wear them for at least a year or two;
addiction and the correction process are accompanied by discomfort and sometimes painful sensations;
Such designs are quite expensive.

Surgical route

In some cases, even reliable braces fail and you have to use the most radical method of correcting the defect - surgery. The operation is prescribed for the following problems:

a strongly pronounced open bite, when even chewing and speech functions are impaired;
chin dysplasia occurs, which distorts the oval of the face;
after maxillofacial injuries;
special hereditary pathologies.

At the same time, an incision is made in the bone tissue and mucous membrane, due to which the teeth are placed in their proper place and the jaws close correctly. The decision on such a treatment method is made only by the doctor, taking into account all the features of the malocclusion and the general health of the patient.

Alternative (aligners, trainers, veneers, etc.)

In addition to classic braces and radical measures, you can use other correction methods:

Plastic dental guards (aligners) are removable transparent plates that are attached to the teeth and should be worn at least 22 hours a day. Removal is allowed only for hygiene procedures and while eating. But they are effective only in cases of mild malocclusion. It is especially recommended to use them in cases of crowded teeth, narrow or wide arches, or if necessary to correct recurrent displacement. Every 20 days you need to come to an appointment with the orthodontist and replace the aligners with others.
Special trainers are also transparent and removable structures made of silicone. For the first part of the treatment, more elastic products are selected, and in the final six months, strong and hard trainers are put on. They are used in the same cases as plastic mouth guards, and also additionally to normalize nasal breathing, correct diction and eliminate bad habits. The positive thing is that you only have to wear them at night, and 2-4 hours during the day are enough, which eliminates their use during working hours without embarrassing the patient.
Veneers and lumineers relate more to the aesthetic restoration of the smile area than to correcting the bite. But some irregularities in the dentition can be hidden with their help. Doctors usually advise using such correction methods in cases where, for some reason, none of the above methods can be used. But they only help with implicit defects.

What can you do at home?

Some people would like to correct their bite on their own, without going to the doctor, since the dental office and all sorts of instruments are very scary. But this is practically impossible. When correcting bites using orthodontic systems, specialists may recommend doing some auxiliary manipulations at home:

But as independent treatment procedures they are powerless.

Correcting malocclusion in adults without braces

It is worth noting some features of the treatment of adult patients:

Their work, social communication and active life set separate requirements for the aesthetics and strength of the structures used.
The choice of correction method is strongly influenced by the state of health, when many effective methods become unavailable due to contraindications.
The older a person is, the more difficult it is to influence the location of tooth roots, displace them and change the structure of bone and connective tissue.

Although modern technologies make it possible to choose the most suitable treatment method. Thus, veneers and lumineers can correct some smile defects in one session at the dentist, without pain and long-term suffering. And aligners and trainers will help change a more serious anomaly almost at home, when no one will notice.

Cost of treatment

Depending on the chosen technique and the complexity of the defect, as well as the specific dental clinic, the total price for treatment will vary. Let's consider how much bite correction in adults costs in each case:

braces - from 10,000 to 120,000 rubles, depending on the material and method of fastening;
surgical treatment – 300-450 thousand rubles;
mouth guards and aligners – 90-160 thousand;
trainers – 2000-4000;
veneers – 10-20 thousand rubles;
lumineers – 60,000-70,000.

In each specific case, the cost may vary, since clinics have their own pricing policy. In addition, you need to remember about additional procedures that will have to be carried out - diagnosis, treatment of caries, periodontitis, specialist consultation, etc.

Video: an orthodontist about correcting bites in adults.

I was terribly embarrassed about braces. Therefore, the doctor advised to use trainers. They only had to be worn at night, so it didn't cause any trouble. There was no pain either, which was nice. But the treatment took a very long time, I think braces would have worked faster.

I tried to use different methods to correct my bite, but I had to get metal braces, since everything else turned out to be ineffective in my case. Just wasted my time and money.

I thought that at the age of 40 it was impossible to change my bite. But somehow this problem didn’t bother me before, and only now I had to pay attention to my teeth. It turned out that modern medicine can do anything, and now I am happy with my new smile, I’m actually looking younger before my eyes.

The doctor treated my bite for ten years, nothing helped. I turned to another specialist for help, who immediately sent me for surgery. And although it was painful and unpleasant, I had to give up a lot for a while and take sick leave, but I got the long-awaited result.

I purchased almost invisible aligners. I easily corrected my bite, and few people noticed the structure from the outside. And she didn’t really interfere. I think this method of treatment is much more pleasant and better than any braces, since the plates can be removed, washed, brushed the teeth, and they do not externally spoil the smile.

What methods of bite correction are effective, and how much does such a procedure cost?

Modern braces can be almost invisible and match the color of your teeth.

Orthodontic aligners or mouthguards are an alternative option to braces. Will appeal to those who especially value aesthetics and wearing comfort.

Self-ligating braces are considered one of the most convenient, allowing you to quickly achieve the desired result.

Do you want a beautiful smile, but an incorrect bite prevents it?

The choice of bracket systems and the cost of their installation allow you to choose the best option in each individual case.

Malocclusion is a fairly common problem all over the world, which, according to some estimates, affects about 80% of the world's population. Fortunately, today there are many ways to correct a bite. Let's find out which of them are the most effective, and how much does it cost?

A beautiful smile gives us confidence and can often play an important role in establishing personal or business relationships. However, not everyone can boast of it, which is why a person develops inferiority complexes that give rise to self-doubt. This often happens due to an incorrect bite, which, by the way, is not only an aesthetic problem. It can also cause a number of health problems: from increased sensitivity of the gums and traumatic ulcers to difficulties with digestion in general. However, any malocclusion today can be corrected - and, contrary to common misconceptions, this can be done not only in childhood, but also in adulthood.

Correcting overbite with braces

One of the most effective and popular ways to correct a bite today is braces. Translated from English, bracket means “lock” or “bracket”. The name reflects the essence of the device: it consists of brackets connected by a power arc. The braces are attached to the teeth with a special glue, and under the influence of the arc, the teeth take the desired position.

The undoubted advantage of this method is that braces can solve almost any bite problem. In addition, they are installed permanently in the clinic, and the patient does not need to carry out any manipulations himself.

Correcting a bite using this method takes from six to eight months to 2.5-3 years and depends on the individual characteristics of the patient and the complexity of the situation. During all this time, you will have to visit the orthodontist several times for correction and change of ligatures.

There are two disadvantages: firstly, braces complicate the process of oral care, and secondly, they do not always look attractive (especially metal ones).

However, you can choose different types of braces:

Metal ones are the most affordable (from 3-6 thousand rubles without fastening, with fastening from 13 thousand rubles). They have the highest structural strength, but do not look very aesthetically pleasing.
Plastic ones are less noticeable, but may fade over time. However, the structural strength is not very high.
Ceramic ones almost completely imitate the color of teeth, do not oxidize or stain, but their cost is much higher (from 30 to 90 thousand rubles).
Sapphire - consists of artificially created crystals, less durable than ceramics, for which reason caution should be exercised. Transparent and invisible on the teeth. Usually about 10 thousand rubles more expensive than ceramic ones.
Self-ligating braces are essentially an “advanced version” of metal braces. They are also called non-ligature braces. It is easier to care for your teeth due to the absence of ligatures, but they also cost more than usual (from 40 thousand rubles).
Lingual - attached to the inside of the teeth, without giving away their presence, i.e. absolutely invisible. This is the most expensive way to correct a bite with braces (more than 100 thousand rubles).

Correcting a bite without braces

If you do not want to wear braces, or this method is not suitable for you for certain reasons, pay attention to other effective methods of correcting your bite. Some of them are used in conjunction with other methods - to improve or consolidate the achieved result.

Correcting a bite with a mouthguard

The mouthguard is a removable structure made of transparent polymer. It does not cause much discomfort (you stop feeling it within a couple of hours after installation), is invisible, and harmless to the enamel. When brushing your teeth or while eating, the mouth guard can be removed, which makes oral care much easier.

Before installation, the doctor takes a dental photograph from which the mouth guard is made. During one period of treatment, several mouth guards may be needed - and the success of treatment will largely depend on whether the mouth guards are changed on time.

On average, it takes one year to correct a bite this way. Cost – from 10 thousand rubles (depending on the clinic).

Surgical correction of bite

Surgical correction is used in difficult cases where traditional methods cannot cope with the problem. We are talking, in particular, about malocclusion of the third degree of complexity, about deformations of the dentofacial system, incorrect proportions or asymmetry of the jaw bones. During surgery, the doctor corrects the jaw by making an incision in the bone tissue in the area of the teeth being moved, which can subsequently improve the patient’s ability to swallow, chew food, and in some cases, even facilitate the breathing process.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia and lasts up to several hours. You can return to your normal life in 2-3 weeks, and after a month you can begin to develop your jaw. After surgical correction, your doctor may prescribe wearing braces (usually from six months to a year).

This method is contraindicated for people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, cancer, HIV, tuberculosis, as well as children under 16 years of age.

The cost of surgical correction depends on the complexity of the case and can range from several tens to several hundred thousand rubles.

Laser bite correction

Laser radiation is used to correct bites both before orthodontic treatment and at a certain stage, or after surgery. Laser light has good anti-inflammatory properties and promotes rapid tissue regeneration.

Why is laser therapy needed? When the bite is corrected, the teeth begin to move, causing the bone tissue to be subjected to greater stress. Because of this, microtraumas and inflammatory processes can occur.

Laser correction promotes faster healing and helps prevent possible complications.

The laser is not used as an independent method of correcting malocclusion, but only as an accompanying element of the main treatment.

As you can see, there are a lot of ways to correct a bite. Which one is better to choose depends on the specific case, the doctor’s recommendations and your financial capabilities. Smile more often!

Correction of malocclusion in Moscow

An orthodontist will help you decide on a method for correcting your bite after consultation, which you can get at the Moscow Dental Association. For more than ten years, the company has been providing dental services using advanced technologies and modern equipment. Doctors of the Moscow Dental Association are high-level professionals with international certificates and scientific titles. All services are guaranteed, and the prices in the clinic are among the most favorable in Moscow.

License No. LO-77-01-014630 dated August 3, 2017, issued by the Moscow Department of Health.

Various methods of correcting malocclusion can help solve a variety of problems: from simple problems such as a pair of uneven teeth to very serious curvatures of the jaw. Modern dentistry is ready to offer absolutely painless, comfortable and very effective methods, which only a doctor can select individually. In general, it takes about a year to correct your bite, but the time and money spent are worth it!

Methods for correcting malocclusion without braces in adults

Not every parent pays attention to the fact that their child has ugly teeth in childhood. However, over time and as we grow older, the problem only gets worse. Quite often it causes the development of a complex that interferes with normal communication with others.

You can correct your bite with braces. However, not every person agrees to walk for several months or even years with a metal structure in his mouth. Inconvenience and discomfort when wearing braces is one of the reasons why orthodontists use alternative methods to correct bites.

How is malocclusion corrected without braces in adults? Let's find out in this article.

Ways to correct malocclusion

Crooked teeth can be corrected at absolutely any age. Therefore, the “Hollywood smile” that many people dream of can become a reality.

It is worth noting that in childhood, correcting crooked teeth occurs more painlessly and much faster, but you should not despair, the problem can be solved even in adulthood. Currently, dentists have a wide variety of techniques for correcting bites in adults.

The main and most common method is to install a braces system. Modern braces can be made not only from metal, but also from other materials that will be less noticeable in the mouth.

Braces made of plastic and ceramics

The least noticeable are braces made of plastic or ceramic. But other methods can be used to correct the bite.

To correct the bite in adults without braces, trainers, plates, and mouth guards can be used. The defect can also be eliminated using artistic restoration. In this case, lumineers and veneers are used. A more radical method is surgery. Each of these methods allows you to get a good result and is absolutely painless for the patient.

In what cases may it be necessary to correct a bite without braces in adults?

Types of dental defects

The occlusion is the closure of the lower and upper dentitions. Quite often there is a disturbance in the normal evenness of the dentition; gaps or gaps may appear in the closure, crooked teeth become visible. In some cases, minor deviations do not in any way affect the aesthetic appearance of the face and do not cause inconvenience.

However, we should not forget that even a small displacement can provoke serious consequences. Over time, crooked dentition and malocclusion give rise to periodontal disease, headaches, and abrasion of the enamel shell of the teeth.

Chewing may cause pain due to lateral compression of the teeth. If changes are not global in nature, you won’t have to spend a lot of money and time to correct your bite without braces in adults.

Types of misaligned bites

Misaligned bites are classified as follows:

Using mouthguards to correct bites in adults

An incorrect bite not only negatively affects the aesthetic appearance, but can also cause problems with diction and provoke diseases of the gums and teeth. That is why you should not delay treatment; you should consult a dentist.

Most often, doctors offer traditional methods of correcting the defect - installing a braces system made of metal or ceramics.

However, if the patient does not want to wear such structures for a long period of time, mouthguards can be used to correct the bite. Another name for them is aligners. Their main advantage is that they are completely invisible to prying eyes. Methods for correcting bites in adults are of interest to many.

What are mouthguards made of?

Mouthguards are made from various materials, for example, polyurethane, silicone, thermoplastic. The mouthguard is made individually for each patient. For this purpose, it is necessary to make a plaster cast of the patient’s teeth and form an impression of the normal position of the teeth. After this, using the listed materials, an intermediate mouth guard is made, which should be worn for several months.

After this period, you should wear another model that will be closer to the desired result. The trays are changed until the bite is completely corrected. This process is quite long, it can take from one and a half to two years.

Thermoplastic is considered the most effective and convenient to use. It acquires plasticity if it is wetted, and after putting it on the teeth it hardens, fixing securely.

According to reviews, correcting bites with mouthguards in adults is very effective.

Positive aspects of using mouth guards

The main advantages of mouthguards for straightening teeth include the following:

Wearing a mouthguard does not cause pain; they are quite comfortable.
When carrying out hygienic procedures, the mouthguard can be removed during meals.
The mouthguards are completely invisible in the mouth, as they are made of transparent materials.
Quite easy to care for - they should be washed under water.
They do not have a destructive effect on the enamel shell of teeth.

Basic rules for wearing mouth guards

When wearing mouthguards, you must follow certain rules:

It is strictly forbidden to eat or drink drinks without removing the mouth guards. You can only drink mineral water with a mouthguard in your mouth.
After eating, you must rinse and brush your teeth thoroughly. The mouth guard can only be worn on clean teeth.
The mouthguard should be stored in a special container. It is provided to the patient along with the mouthguard.

To achieve the desired result, it must be worn for as long as recommended by the doctor.

When is it necessary to correct a bite in adults surgically? More on this later.

Surgical correction of bite in adults

For those patients who do not want to wear the device for a long time, there is an alternative and fairly quick way to straighten the teeth.

Surgery may be prescribed if there is significant deformation of the jaw joints.

This method of correcting malocclusion in adults without the use of braces is the most expensive. However, the operation makes it possible to eliminate in a very short time a problem that causes not only aesthetic inconvenience, but also causes disturbances in the digestive process.

Another undeniable advantage of this method is that facial symmetry is restored, which, in turn, allows you to change a person’s appearance for the better. A face that is proportional is more attractive.

We will also later consider correcting bites with trainers in adults.

When is surgery required?

Surgery to correct the bite may be prescribed in the following cases:

There is asymmetry and displacement towards the chin.
An open bite was diagnosed.
There is a pathology that cannot be treated with conservative methods.
The face is distorted as a result of injury.

Currently, there are several types of surgical interventions to correct bite defects. For example, in order to straighten the dentition, an incision is made into the gums and jawbone.

If there is a gap formed as a result of the removal of the unit, then a prosthesis can be implanted in its place. To install it, a titanium pin is inserted into the gum bone, onto which a crown is placed, similar in appearance to other teeth.

Surgical correction of teeth and jaw is performed exclusively under general anesthesia.

According to reviews, bite correction in adults is carried out quite often.

Orthodontic plates for bite correction

An orthodontic plate can also help correct malocclusions. It is placed on the gums and palate and secured to the teeth with metal hooks.

However, the plate allows you to correct only minor errors. When worn, the plate does not cause discomfort and is not noticeable to others. Caring for a device made of plastic is quite simple, because it can be easily removed if necessary.

What else is used to correct deep bites in adults?

Using Trainers

This design is similar in appearance to a mouth guard, but it is much more massive, and is used to straighten individual teeth.

Trainers are quite effective for minor curvatures and are used by dentists to normalize the position of the jaws in relation to each other. Trainers do not require constant wearing.

Such devices are sold in regular pharmacies and do not require individual adjustment. In this regard, the cost of this method of bite correction is much lower.

Correcting a bite in an adult is possible, but most often it takes a lot of time, because the full formation of the jaws is completed at the age of 14-15 years, after which blood circulation in the periodontal space decreases to a minimum. It is this feature that causes the slower change in tooth position than in childhood.

A qualified orthodontist will help you choose the most effective and fastest way to correct the defect, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient. Be that as it may, crooked teeth need to be straightened. This will improve the chewing process and reduce the load on the stomach and gastrointestinal tract.

Artistic correction of crooked teeth and malocclusion

Artistic correction uses special devices called veneers, which are very thin plates. They are glued using a durable cement composition to the front of the tooth. They do not correct the bite, but they allow you to visually straighten minor distortions and make your smile more aesthetically pleasing. Artistic correction of bite in adults, a photo of which can be found in the article, is an instant method, because to install veneers you will only have to visit the dentist twice.

There are two types of veneers:

Orthopedic veneers allow you to completely change the appearance of your teeth if you veneer them all.

Some specialists do not use pre-grinding of dental irregularities, which allows, if necessary, to replace the veneer with another one.

If microprosthetics are done with high quality, the wearing period of veneers can be up to twenty years.

The most durable materials used in the manufacture of veneers are similar in composition to tooth enamel. Artistic correction using lumineers and veneers is a fairly expensive procedure, but its effect is almost immediate.

So, we examined in detail the correction of malocclusion without braces in adults.

7 options for correcting an adult’s bite

Problems with malocclusion today affect almost 90% of people i. In childhood, defects are eliminated quite easily, since the jaw bones have not yet formed and are easier to correct. Correcting a bite in adults is more difficult - it requires much more effort and financial costs. But there is no need to despair; modern orthodontics offers many ways to solve the problem.

Correct bite is the key to health

Portal UltraSmile.ru collected information about the basic techniques for correcting malocclusion in adults. They allow you to correct defects with an almost 100% guarantee, even in the most difficult cases.

Why is malocclusion dangerous?

increased abrasion of tooth enamel,
weakening and premature wear of the temporomandibular joint, resulting in headaches and jaw pain,
increased risk of denture breakage or inability to install them,
early appearance of wrinkles and deformation of the oval face,
violation of diction,
problems with the functioning of the digestive organs, since due to malocclusion it is quite problematic and even painful to chew food well.

7 basic methods for correcting malocclusion in adults

Bite correction in adults is carried out using various orthodontic devices. With this treatment, individual teeth are displaced and the correct position of the dentition and jaws is restored.

This is the most reliable way to correct bite in adult patients. The devices are capable of eliminating serious deformations in already formed bones. Bracket systems are plates connected by an arch. They are attached to the teeth from the outside or inside. The second type (lingual braces) is more attractive from an aesthetic point of view, since the devices are completely invisible from the outside.

Braces mechanically act on the teeth, gradually displacing the roots and stretching the tissue around them. Due to this, the position of both an individual tooth and the entire row changes, which makes it possible to correct even serious malocclusions.

Photo: installed braces

Of course, the systems also have disadvantages. For example, the duration of treatment - you need to wear them for at least a year, and sometimes several years. In addition, the systems are quite difficult to get used to; they cause pain in the mucous membranes and change diction. Throughout the entire treatment period, you need to regularly visit your doctor, and then wear special retainers that will allow you to secure your teeth in their new position.

Braces require careful care: not only in the morning and evening, but also after each meal you will have to devote about 7-10 minutes to hygiene. Therefore, self-discipline is the main thing that is required of the patient while wearing such an orthodontic design.

Modern braces systems are made of metal, ceramics, and plastic. The least noticeable of the external vestibular structures are sapphire. The cost of installing braces on one jaw ranges from 20 to 200 thousand rubles (it all depends on the type of structure and material used).

2. Aligners (aligners)

Dental aligners (aligners) are removable transparent orthodontic caps. They are made from polyurethane, silicone, thermoplastic and other similar materials. They are only individual, that is, they are developed for a specific patient. To begin with, an impression of the patient’s jaw is first made, the data is entered into a computer, and a correction plan is developed using a special program. At each stage of treatment (after two to three weeks), the aligners are replaced.

Mouth guards

Unlike braces, aligners are completely invisible, do not cause discomfort when worn and do not harm tooth enamel. Among the disadvantages are the high price and the impossibility of correcting serious malocclusion pathologies. The cost of treatment is from 180 thousand rubles for a full set of mouth guards for one jaw.

Correction of bite with mouthguards

3. Orthodontic trainers

Trainers are removable transparent silicone structures that look similar to mouthguards, but are more massive. They are used to straighten individual teeth and normalize jaw abnormalities. In adulthood, trainers help with disorders that are not too serious. They also help normalize swallowing and nasal breathing, and correct diction disorders.

Trainers

The advantage of trainers is that they are worn only at night, and for daytime wear 2-4 hours are enough. At the initial stage of correction, elastic structures are selected, then they are replaced with harder ones. Trainers are easy to maintain and inexpensive. They come in standard shapes, but it is best to make them individually - this way you can achieve a better effect. Cost – from 5-7 thousand rubles.

4. Orthodontic plates

An orthodontic plate is placed on the gums and palate, attached to the teeth with special hooks. It is invisible in appearance and comfortable to wear. Easy to remove and wash. But this design is more effective when corrected at an early age; in adults, it is not able to completely normalize the bite. As a rule, plates are placed at a preliminary stage - for example, before installing braces.

Orthodontic plates

5. Surgical correction

Surgical intervention is recommended in cases of serious anomalies in the structure of the jaw and severely manifested defects. Most often, surgery is indicated for genetically determined pathologies, injuries to the face and jaw, open bite with chewing and speech disorders, chin dysplasia, crossbite and severe facial asymmetry. The operation allows you to literally straighten the position of the lower jaw (after all, it is the one that moves).

Surgical bite correction

6. Veneers and lumineers

Veneers and lumineers are thin plates that hide imperfections in teeth. Their use relates more to aesthetic restoration than to correction of occlusion. However, they can correct the position of slightly crooked teeth.

Veneers and lumineers cannot be considered as a method of correcting malocclusion if the pathology affects the functioning of the entire jaw system. They are used only when the aesthetics of the smile is violated.

The cost of ceramic veneers starts from 20 thousand rubles, lumineers (they are created in the USA and sent to Russian clinics) - from 30 thousand. The lumineers themselves are thinner, look as natural as possible and last 2 times longer than classic veneers, which are created in a regular laboratory.

Veneer installation

7. Myotherapy

An additional method for correcting dental defects can be special gymnastics. It helps improve the tone of the facial muscles, making the treatment more effective. A specially designed set of exercises can be performed at home using either special
orthodontic devices, and without them. Massaging your gums will also be helpful.

It should be remembered that myotherapy is an auxiliary method. It is impossible to correct the bite of an adult with its help alone.

The choice of an orthodontic device is up to the doctor, since it is the specialist who will be able to choose the option that will solve all occlusion pathologies. Of course, a lot depends on the patient himself – his willingness to carefully follow the requirements of a certain technique. Then the system used for treatment will have the most effective effect.

i According to the Professional Society of Orthodontists of Russia.

The bite begins to form in the embryonic period. Under the influence of various factors, teeth gradually take their position. The bite can be considered formed after 16-18 years. How to determine the correct bite? Is it possible to correct it in an adult? Most often, orthodontists have to work with teenagers, but treatment of malocclusion is possible at any age. The main condition is healthy bone tissue. This is a reserve that allows the body to adapt and recover during the treatment of malocclusion.

Despite the fact that teeth are located in bone tissue, they can be moved using special systems. Scientific developments have armed doctors with effective tools to eliminate even the most complex pathologies.

What does a correct bite look like?

For the best performance of chewing functions, it is necessary that each tooth in the upper row comes into contact with the corresponding lower tooth. Overlapping occurs only in front: the lower incisors are hidden by a third behind the upper ones. The jaws should be symmetrical. A line drawn through the center of the face passes strictly between the upper and lower incisors.

Few people can boast of a perfectly straight smile. Often a person has one or more teeth slightly deviated to the side, and this does not greatly affect the overall appearance. But sometimes the pathology is so pronounced that it distorts the oval of the face. In some cases, surgery is required to eliminate it. After orthodontic treatment, the face looks more attractive.

Types of malocclusion

Deep. When the jaws are closed, the upper incisors cover the lower ones by more than a third.
Open. The jaws do not close completely. The gap is most often observed in the front part, less often on the side. In this case, it is often difficult to close your lips.
Distal. The upper teeth are strongly pushed forward. The lower jaw is underdeveloped, the chin is sloping.
Mesial. The lower teeth protrude forward.
Cross. The corresponding lower and upper teeth do not match. In some areas, either the upper or lower row of teeth may protrude forward.

Causes of bite pathology

Problems can begin during fetal development, when the jaws and tooth buds are formed. But usually the correct bite changes later under the influence of some factors. Internal causes include a lack of minerals and nutrients for the development of bone tissue. Rickets often provokes an open bite, which is difficult to treat.

In children, the way they eat has a great influence on the formation of the dental system. The ideal option is breastfeeding with proper attachment. You need to make sure that the child does not bite his lips. The nipple on the bottle can harm your teeth if used for a long time. With a pacifier the situation is even worse. If a child suckles for more than 6 hours a day, he has every chance of developing a malocclusion. Some bad habits - thumb sucking or some kind of toy - also provoke crooked teeth.

Diseases of the nasopharynx, which force the child to breathe through the mouth, negatively affect the formation of the bite. If baby teeth have to be removed as a result of tooth decay, the alignment of adjacent teeth may be affected. For one to one and a half years, they partially occupy the free space and interfere with the growth of the permanent tooth. This is how a “twisted” bite is formed. Sometimes, on the contrary, a permanent tooth is in no hurry to come to the surface, and the orthodontist has to literally pull it out. The gum is opened and attached to the bracket system. Even in such cases, the correct bite can be restored. Photos “before” and “after” are sometimes shocking and clearly show that good doctors can cope with any pathology.

Why is it necessary to treat malocclusion?

Complex pathologies are sometimes visible at first glance. If the face has a concave profile, the chin is strongly protruded, which means the bite is mesial. Sometimes there is asymmetry and non-closure of the lips. In some forms of pathology, diction is impaired, it is difficult to chew food and swallow. But even minor defects that are not noticeable can harm the body. On teeth that are not involved in chewing, more plaque accumulates and microbes multiply. In places where teeth are closely adjacent to each other, the enamel is damaged. The gaps are difficult to clean and often cause caries. The enamel wears down faster on the surface of the teeth if it is injured due to improper closure of the jaws.

Dental defects often become the cause of complexes and dissatisfaction with one’s appearance. A person associates a correct bite with health and beauty. The child may be teased for protruding teeth. For adults, malocclusion can interfere with professional and public activities. But, fortunately, modern medicine allows everyone to achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.

How to fix an overbite?

If a problem is noticed in time, simple methods can help: removable structures. In children, sometimes it is enough to stop some bad habit so that the bite begins to gradually correct itself. But the surest way to treat malocclusion is to use braces. A structure made of metal and other materials is installed on the teeth and gradually moves them. Everyone moves to the place assigned to him by nature.

The bracket system consists of a steel arch and small clasps, which are made of metal alloys or special ceramics. The material of braces affects their properties and prices, but the general principle remains unchanged. These parts are glued to each tooth and connected with an orthodontic arch. It is with its help that the bite is corrected.

Types of bracket systems

Metal. A classic economical option. Aesthetically, they are not very attractive, but they are just as effective as the more expensive ones.

Ceramic. Their color is individually matched to the shade of the patient’s teeth, so they are less noticeable. They are considered to be safer for enamel and less likely to cause demineralization spots.

Sapphire. Made from a special type of ceramic, transparent and invisible. They may look like decoration, especially if you use a white arc.

Based on their location on the teeth, vestibular and lingual braces are distinguished.

The first are attached to the outer side of the dentition, the second - to the inner. Lingual braces are completely invisible to others. But their price is much higher. To make them, casts of the jaws are needed. Each brace fits the tooth perfectly. The entire structure is assembled on casts, and then in finished form is transferred to the patient’s oral cavity.

How long do you wear braces?

Correcting a bite is a long process. In the simplest cases, you need to wear braces for at least six months. Usually results are visible within 2-3 months. In such cases, patients are in a hurry to get rid of the braces system. But you need to remember that the main thing is to consolidate the result. You will have to wear braces as long as the doctor recommends and follow certain rules.

How to behave during treatment with braces?

Avoid eating too hot foods or ice cream. Temperature changes have a bad effect on metal structures and spoil the glue. Solid food can tear off braces and damage the system. Viscous and sticky foods (crisps, toffees, crispy potatoes) clog your braces. They are not easy to clean, especially in crowded places such as cafes. It is always worth having a special toothbrush for braces with you. Following these rules will help avoid delays in treatment and achieve better results. If the braces come off, you need to see your doctor as soon as possible.

Bite correction can last up to 3 years. You should visit the orthodontist approximately once a month to have your braces adjusted. After its removal, the doctor will install retainers that will maintain the achieved result. These are metal braces, usually attached to the inside of the teeth. You need to wear them twice as long as braces.

How to maintain the correct bite?

There are no extra teeth. Take care of each one so that neighboring teeth do not begin to shift. It is better to see a dentist and orthodontist from childhood. The specialist will notice deviations in time and decide when to start treatment. Sometimes it's worth waiting a few years. Some pathologies are better treated at 6-7 years of age, others after 12. At this age, the replacement of teeth with permanent ones ends.

Correct dental occlusion is a hereditary trait. If parents exhibit deviations from the norm, special attention should be paid to children.

The beauty of a smile affects a person’s mood and well-being. But it is also very important for health that all teeth are in place and chew food well. Therefore, you should not neglect measures to prevent oral diseases and maintain proper bite.

www.syl.ru

Thanks everyone for the answers.

I report)

I visited several doctors for consultations. In general, how many doctors have so many opinions.

Someone frightened that sooner or later the teeth would bend due to an incorrect bite and everything would have to be corrected immediately.

Someone said that the joint is not critical, but it is advisable to correct the crowding in the lower jaw. (i.e. more for aesthetic purposes, as I understand it all needs to be done)

And one doctor said that it is impossible to judge the condition of the joint by OPTG alone, but there is a predisposition - asymmetry of the right and left halves and weakly defined articular tubercles. (I liked this doc the most, but unfortunately he is not an orthodontist)

Offhand, without additional examinations, they suggest treatment with the removal of premolars on the upper jaw. To my question how this will affect the joint, they give very vague answers.

I'm waiting for your answers.

1. Is it advisable to correct the bite in my situation?

2. Is it possible to do without removal in the upper jaw and is this advisable?

3. The most important question is - in my case, braces can mostly improve only aesthetics or both aesthetics and function (by function is meant primarily the joint)? How will removal affect the TMJ?

forum.stomatologija.su

Is it always possible to correct an overbite without braces?

You can use other structures to straighten teeth only in a number of situations. At the same time, due to the structural features of the jaw, there may also be restrictions on a number of systems. You can do without braces if you have the following indications:

malocclusion concerns only one or several teeth, and not the entire dentition;
the defect has a slight deviation from the norm, since with severe pathology only a metal system can help;
it is necessary to achieve a beautiful smile within a few months, a maximum of a year, since when wearing braces, treatment can take 2-3 years;
individual intolerance to metal or other alloy components that are used to correct any type of bite;
the appearance of an allergic reaction to a metal structure;
the impossibility of installing classic braces, since the patient has low-lying gums, which causes inflammation and injury;
there is no possibility to install a sapphire system that can solve the problem of low-set gums;
caring for the structure seems difficult to the patient, and its absence can provoke inflammatory processes in the gums and teeth, and can also damage the braces themselves;
inability to tolerate pain at the adaptation stage due to a low pain threshold.

Attention! Sometimes patients with malocclusion do not want to use any braces, since they cause significant disturbances in diction at the adaptation stage. But you should understand that if it is necessary to correct the entire dentition, it will be difficult to do without such structures.

Aligners for correcting bite

This is the name of a small transparent mouthguard, which is made of safe silicone or special plastic. Due to the manufacturing features, the aligner completely replicates the features of the dentition. Treatment also cannot be instantaneous, as with the use of braces, but the patient does not feel severe pain or discomfort at all.

The aligners can be removed at any time, which allows you to avoid damaging them while eating. Thanks to the removable structure, the patient can monitor the condition of his teeth and, if necessary, heal them. Suitable for use by patients with hypersensitive gums. If aligners are chosen, the patient has no food or drink restrictions. And the system itself can be cleaned with water or toothpaste.

Attention! A special feature of the silicone design is that it can be used at any age. In this case, the patient can correct several cosmetic problems in the form of severe yellowing of the enamel and malocclusion. Some designs can contain a gel that will protect the enamel from carious lesions.

Despite all the advantages of such a mouthguard, there are significant disadvantages of such treatment. Aligners are highly expensive; the average price of a silicone structure is 200-220 thousand Russian rubles. If the mouth guard is not molded correctly, it may fall out of the mouth, especially when purchasing universal models. If the patient wishes to use an individually selected aligner, it will need to wait up to 12 weeks.

Therapy using a silicone structure requires several stages. First, you will need to make a cast and a model to evaluate all the features of the dentition. In addition, impressions are taken several times during treatment to monitor the intermediate and final results.

After the impression and mock-up are made, they are sent to the specialist, who makes a custom aligner. At the same time, several samples of silicone mouth guards are offered to correct the bite. They are used alternately every 2-3 weeks. If the aligner is damaged during one stage, it is replaced. To do this, the patient is given several samples of one mouthguard.

To achieve a real effect, you will need to wear the mouth guard all day long; it can only be removed for two hours. This time includes dental care and eating. Wearing the aligner is recommended for 6 months, and for a more severe defect - for a year.

Attention! Sometimes silicone aligners are prescribed after wearing trainers and a number of other systems. In this case, the mouthguard maintains the result obtained to avoid relapse.

Trainer for eliminating malocclusion

This method is based on the use of a special orthodontic preparation, which in appearance resembles a mouthguard that protects teeth from destruction. In the table you can see a number of characteristics of such a system.

This device does not require constant use. In most cases, patients wear trainers only while sleeping and for one hour during the day. The design is quite affordable; the most expensive types of trainers can be purchased in the range of 6-7 thousand.

During therapy, the patient will have to use several models of the device if he wants to get the best result. First, you need to wear so-called blue trainers, which can gently move your teeth into the right place. Such structures cause severe pain in exceptional cases; usually it is quite tolerable and manifests itself within 1-2 weeks.

As soon as the first stage of therapy is completed, it can last up to one year, another trainer is selected for the patient. He already quite quickly and in some cases painfully puts the teeth in their place. As soon as this device copes with its task, the dentist will select a fixation structure. It consolidates the result and prevents the bite from deteriorating again. Such designs are called retainers; they can be worn for up to five years, taking into account the characteristics of the patient’s problem.

Attention! Trainers are not suitable if the patient wants to improve the condition of his bite in a short time. Wearing the device requires annual treatment, and in some cases it will have to be extended. With the help of trainers, you can correct more serious defects than with aligners.

Veneers instead of braces for malocclusion

A special feature of this method is the use of small plates that need to be attached to the front crown of the patient’s own tooth. This procedure is called restoration. Safe dental cement is used to fix the ceramic plate.

Thanks to this method of therapy, all problems associated with malocclusion can be corrected in just a few hours. Throughout the entire wearing process, the crowns will not lose their attractiveness; they cannot be distinguished from ordinary teeth. If the specialist has completed the entire procedure correctly, you should not be afraid that the plates will fall out or burst. Caring for them is also simple and consists only of using regular pastes; it is better to take professional ones.

The negative side of veneers of this type is that they cannot correct complex types of malocclusion. The patient should also be warned that even if the most expensive plates are installed, they will not last more than 12 years. Because of this, you will need to remove and install ceramic plates several times and pay the dentist. The cost of such a service is quite high, so it is important to choose a good doctor for treatment.

When wearing crowns of this type, you need to consume only warm foods, avoiding temperature changes. If they are exposed to too cold or hot temperatures, the structure may burst. In addition, it is difficult to control the condition of the enamel of a natural tooth, since it is hidden. This can cause severe tooth decay and even gum disease.

Attention! When restoring teeth suffering from malocclusion, the specialist grinds off almost the entire protruding area. This will result in the patient having to wear this type of veneers for the rest of their lives.

Video - Correcting crooked teeth using veneers

Restoration with composite or composite veneers

A composite is a dental material that is used to restore diseased teeth, including caries. To harden, the material must be heated with ultraviolet light; a special lamp is used for this.

Usually, it takes the doctor no more than one hour to correct the incorrect position of two teeth. This type of veneers does not cause pain, does not require removal, and does not cause problems with diction. They are quite affordable and do not spoil the patient’s smile. But due to the installation features and the strength of the material, composite veneers will last for five years, sometimes their service life reaches a decade. At the same time, the composite is very susceptible to external influences, which is why it absorbs the dye, so the patient should avoid excessive consumption of coffee, tea and other coloring pigments.

Attention! When applying for a composite restoration of a malocclusion, it is worth considering that in order to install a veneer, the dentist will need to almost completely grind down the patient’s absolutely healthy tooth. This forces patients to wear such veneers for the rest of their lives, and in case of caries, a complete restoration of the dental crown with artificial material may be required.

If you decide to correct your bite without using braces, you will need to visit your dentist several times so that he can develop the optimal treatment regimen. At the preparatory stage, the patient must be explained all the intricacies of the chosen system, its cost and rules of care. It should be understood that you should not insist on using alternative treatment options if the problem is associated with a severe defect. In this case, the result will be weak or will not last long.

expertdent.net

Bite correction methods

The most common methods for correcting malocclusion are gum massage, myogymnastics in combination with orthodontic appliances.

Application of braces

The roots of the teeth are held in the jaw by connective tissue, which stretches under the influence of the braces system.
As a result of the pressure of the structure on the jaw and stretching of the connective tissue, the position of the teeth changes, which makes it possible to correct the malocclusion.
The use of braces involves long-term use without the ability to remove them.

Alternative ways to correct the anomaly

These include the use of mouthguards, dental plates, trainers, veneers, etc.

These correction methods are more suitable for children, since they cannot completely correct the bite of an adult.

Surgical methods

Surgical methods are often used to eliminate malocclusion.

To do this, an incision is made in the gum and bone tissue, which allows the jaw to be aligned and the teeth to take the correct position.
If teeth that are interfering with alignment are removed, a denture may be placed in their place.

The choice of one design or another depends on the condition of the patient’s dental system. The system used must influence the anomaly with maximum efficiency.

The orthodontist decides which bite correction device is suitable for the patient.

In the case of treatment with braces, the patient can choose a design to suit his taste and budget. But it should be remembered that a correctly selected device is only half the success, and the second depends on the qualifications of the specialist.
Transparent aligners are a more aesthetic and modern type of orthodontic device. Modern mouthguards can eliminate almost any malocclusion. However, using a mouthguard requires discipline from the patient, since it must be worn at least 22 hours a day. The disadvantage of this method of treatment is also the high cost of the mouthguard.

Correcting your bite at home

Any anomaly in the development of the dental system requires immediate intervention by a specialist. It is unlikely that you will be able to correct your bite on your own without the help of an orthodontist.

The only thing the patient can do at home is:

Massage your gums to help straighten your teeth.
Doing certain exercises regularly.
If, on the recommendation of a doctor, the patient is advised to use a removable structure (trainers, mouthguards), then at home it can be removed and hygienically cleaned.

When are trainers used?

Trainers are an orthodontic device made of elastic silicone.

They are multifunctional and can be used in the following cases:

If swallowing or nasal breathing is impaired.
If the use of braces is not possible.
When there is crowding of the anterior group of teeth in the lower jaw.
In the presence of minor dental anomalies.

Indications

Adults need to see an orthodontist in the following cases:

The presence of aesthetic defects.
Improper closing of the jaws.
Violation of facial proportions.
Presence of pain when chewing food.

Before installing dentures, a patient with an abnormal bite must undergo the necessary treatment from an orthodontist.

Otherwise, time and money on prosthetics or dental implants will be wasted. In addition, the installation of implants or prostheses can negatively affect the patient’s health.

Video: “Bite correction”

Complications

An incorrect bite in an adult can lead to the following consequences:

Severe abrasion of teeth.
Breakage of dentures.
Rapid wear and tear of the temporomandibular joint, which will require surgery to repair.
Premature appearance of wrinkles and various changes in appearance.

Correcting anomaly without braces

Often older patients with malocclusion prefer to use high-tech treatment methods.

These methods include:

The use of clear trays or aligners.
Teeth straightening using veneers or lumineers, which can hide various dental imperfections. The advantage of installing veneers is the fairly quick elimination of visible defects and reasonable cost.

Veneers are used in the following cases:

To lengthen dental crowns if short crowns contribute to the development of malocclusion.
To correct irregular shape or position of teeth.
If there are chips on the teeth that prevent the development of a correct bite.

Price

The cost of correcting a bite in adults depends on the nature of the bite and the complexity of the work.

Prices for the orthodontic equipment used vary greatly and depend on the type of material.

The most expensive method of treatment is the use of a mouth guard, but it is considered more comfortable.

Reviews

At the age of 25, I got braces and literally eight months later my teeth were back in place. After the braces were removed, the orthodontist recommended wearing a corrective mouth guard at night. As a result, the bite was corrected.
At the age of 40, I decided to correct my bite. I wore braces for over a year. I had to limit myself in food: eat pureed food, talk less, because everything was in the way and hurt. There is practically no result. I realized that all this was in vain.
At the age of thirty, I decided to correct my bite. The teeth of the upper jaw faced forward (they did not have enough space). For this reason, my wisdom teeth had to be removed. I was given metal braces because they have the most reliable locks. Everything hurt only for the first two days. But they gave me a special wax, thanks to which there is no friction, and everything became fine.
My lower jaw protrudes forward a little. With such a defect, discomfort is constantly present, and with age it intensifies even more. At the age of 55, I decided to correct my bite, but the orthodontist refused.
My friend, at the age of 23, corrected her bite, although she wore the device constantly and even slept with it. But now her smile looks like a million.

Photo: before and after

protezi-zubov.ru

Malocclusion: variety of types

All defects in the oral cavity that do not allow the upper and lower rows of teeth to fit together correctly are considered a malocclusion. More than 80% of people have deviations from the norm.

You can check yourself or your child with a simple test. You need to close your teeth and look in the mirror.

The upper row of teeth should hang slightly over the lower one, the jaw should not move forward or backward, and there should be no gaps between the rows of teeth.

Deviations:

The lower jaw may protrude slightly or noticeably. Prominent representatives of this “defect” among celebrities include Alisa Freindlikh and Alexey Kravchenko.
The upper row of teeth hangs over the lower row (children with such an overbite are often teased with rabbits). Among famous people, such a bite can be seen in Nicolas Cage.
A gap is visible between the rows of teeth (it seems that the child is walking with his mouth slightly open).
Malocclusion is also indicated if the teeth grow out of place (arranged in 2 rows, 1 tooth grows above the other, etc.)

Please note that if you do not take into account noticeable deviations, this feature even gives some charm to the appearance. For example, men with a slightly protruded jaw, according to many, look more courageous and brutal. Take actor Paul Wesley, for example, who has a pronounced overbite.

At what age should the problem be solved?

Attentive parents, having noticed that their baby’s teeth are not closing properly, try to contact a specialist as early as possible. Having heard from doctors that they need to come not at 1–2 years, having noticed the first deviations, but closer to 4–5 years, or even later, mothers begin to panic: “Will time be lost? After all, while everything in the mouth is still just forming, it can be corrected!”

In fact, this problem really needs to be solved not when you first notice a malocclusion in a child at 2 years old, but much closer to school.

And the point is not that the teeth will fall into place on their own and the bite will be corrected (as experience shows, this problem rarely goes away on its own), but in the peculiarities of the formation of the maxillo-skeletal system.

Now we will explain why you need to wait up to 5 - 6 years.

What influences the formation of bite?

The formation of the bite is primarily influenced by the appearance and growth of teeth. There are several stages that are important in the development of occlusion.

By the first year of a child’s life, the jaw arches should take the correct position. This is facilitated by the physiological process of sucking the breast or pacifier and the appearance of the first milk teeth. When a child sucks, the orbicularis muscles develop and the muscle tone of the lower jaw increases - it prepares to take the correct physiological position when the first milk teeth appear.

What is important for parents to do during this period?

During this period, it is important to choose the right pacifier for your child if you decide to use it.

Remember that there are simply no nipples that will form the correct bite. But it will be better if you purchase an orthodontic pacifier. Its peculiarity is that it has a recess for the tongue, which becomes a good preventive measure for the formation of a correct bite.

However, it should be remembered that no pacifier allows the upper and lower jaws to close together. Therefore, prolonged use of pacifiers can lead to the formation of an open bite.

It is also important to monitor the size of the hole in the nipple if your baby is artificial. It is important that the lower jaw worked when sucking.

Periods of immediate bite formation

The immediate formation of the bite occurs in several stages.

Period from 3 to 6 years – formation of a temporary (deciduous) bite;
From 6 to 14 years – formation of a mixed bite;
From 14 to 24 years – formation of a permanent bite.

Let's take a closer look at each stage so that you can figure out why it is not recommended to do something if you notice an incorrect bite in a child at 3 years old or at an earlier age.

Bite in a child under 6 years of age

By the age of 3 years, a child has 20 teeth, which are located on the upper and lower jaw arches.

At this age, the child should be taken to an orthodontist or dentist for examination.

If the doctor notices deviations, he may prescribe special exercises to develop the jaw, which can be the first step towards preventing improper teeth closure.

As a rule, at this stage, most specialists do not undertake anything more serious that parents are very concerned about. Doctors are in no hurry to correct a child’s malocclusion at 2-3 years old, not because they don’t care, but because the child faces the second, no less important stage of the long process of formation of the jaw system.

Bite in a child from 6 to 14 years old

Many parents note with annoyance that baby teeth were so even and beautiful, but permanent teeth grow as they want. Indeed, during this period many children have deviations in the development of correct bite. This is explained by the following reasons.

If until the age of 6 years a child had 20 teeth placed on the jaw arches, then until the age of 14 years there should be 28 teeth placed there. In addition, permanent teeth are larger in size than baby teeth. Accordingly, very significant changes begin to occur in the dental system. The following factors lead to pathologies:

Teeth appear faster than the jaw arch increases.
There is not enough space for the teeth, and they make their way wherever they can.

Important! If your child has lost a baby tooth due to injury, he needs a temporary denture. This is necessary so that other teeth do not move as they grow and do not disrupt the correct bite.

What to do if you notice a malocclusion in a child after 5-6 years of age? During this period, parents should also take their child to an orthodontist or dentist.

Specialists, taking into account what stage of formation the dental system is at, will be able to determine whether it is time to start correcting the child’s bite or whether the formation process is not yet completed.

Help

Correcting defects in the dental system is a sensitive matter. It is important to remember that the jaw is changing, and the use of incorrect orthodontic techniques can cause harm rather than benefit. If there are deviations from the norm at this age (5–12 years), the doctor may prescribe the first removable devices that will help influence the formation of a correct bite.

Records. They are given mainly to children of primary school age. The plate touches the upper palate and affects the formation of the skeletal system. This is not a very convenient and practical device, which is why today trainers and mouth guards are more often used.
Trainer (exercise pads). These are the first most popular devices that are prescribed to children starting from 4 years of age with pronounced pathology, but it is more often recommended to use trainers from the age of 5.
Aligners (aligners, ortliners) are made of transparent silicone material. They are attached to the teeth in the oral cavity. They are recommended for children of primary and secondary school age.

Occlusion from 13 to 24 years

Starting from the age of 13-14, a permanent bite is formed. This period ends at the age of 24–25 years, when the last permanent teeth appear. During this period, patients with deviations from the norm are prescribed not removable, but permanent systems that will affect tooth growth and bite formation.

We are talking about braces worn by Tom Cruise, as well as many other celebrities: Emma Watson, Estelle, Cristiano Ronaldo and many others.

Braces systems consist of “locks” that are attached to each tooth, and a special medical wire “with memory”, which ensures that the tooth grows in the right direction and the jaw system falls into place.

Many modern teenagers really enjoy wearing braces. They even find a zest in it. After all, modern braces, with the right approach, can become a kind of decoration: they come in different colors and shades, even with rhinestones and stones, round, oval and square.

If time is lost

If the problem cannot be solved with the help of overhead structures in childhood, maxillofacial surgeons take on the work. During surgery, changes are made to the skeletal system of the jaw and teeth are filed.

But in this article, the women's site sympaty.net looks at how to solve this problem in children, when you can do without surgery. The radical approach is more acceptable for adults, not for children.

Or maybe it’s not necessary?

If you think that this pathology is only an aesthetic defect and you need to teach your child to live with the appearance that was given to him from above, this is your right. But do not forget that behind the aesthetic problem there may also be health problems that this defect leads to:

In children and adults, diction disorders and speech delays are very often observed due to improper closure of teeth;
With this defect, sleep is disturbed, the child is prone to frequent ENT diseases;
There may be problems with digestion (the child chews and bites food incorrectly);
Recent studies have shown that dental problems even affect a child’s posture and balance, because malocclusion affects the functioning of the temporal joints.