During childhood growth and development, three severe oral conditions—malocclusion, dental caries, and periodontal disease—are highly prevalent, arising from either congenital factors or acquired causes. Malocclusion can be effectively treated through orthodontics with remarkable results. Parents should pay particular attention to this, as dental aesthetics significantly impact overall facial appearance.
Indications for Orthodontic Treatment:
1. Patients with dental crowding: Characterized by teeth protruding inward or outward, resulting in poor aesthetics, difficulty in cleaning, increased susceptibility to cavities, and a higher risk of tartar buildup leading to periodontal disease.
2. Anterior crossbite, also known as "underbite," where the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. Some individuals experience only dental crossbite;while others exhibit both dental and skeletal abnormalities, termed skeletal retrognathia. This involves underdevelopment of the maxilla (retrognathia) and overdevelopment of the mandible (prognathia), resulting in a concave midface and a crescent-shaped profile that compromises aesthetics and function.
3. Patients with diastemas: Characterized by excessive gaps between teeth.
4. Deep overbite: Also known as "prognathism," some cases involve only protrusion of the upper front teeth or inward tilting of the lower front teeth. Others stem from skeletal deformities. Some patients exhibit both upper front tooth protrusion and maxillary hypoplasia, while others have mandibular hyperplasia. This causes midface concavity and a crescent-shaped profile, affecting both appearance and function.
5. Malocclusion: A misalignment of the upper and lower teeth that affects both aesthe
4. Deep overbite: Also known as "buck teeth." Some cases involve only protruding upper front teeth or inward-tilted lower front teeth; others stem from skeletal deformities. Among these individuals, some exhibit excessive forward projection of the upper front teeth and upper gum, while the chin recedes behind the upper lip or lacks a defined chin contour.
5. Bilateral protrusion, or protrusion of both upper and lower front teeth, causing a protruding lip. Patients may struggle to close their lips without exerting force, resulting in a gaping mouth with teeth exposed.
6. Lockjaw: Patients with teeth lacking occlusal function.
7. Posterior crossbite or lockjaw: Impairs dental occlusion and may lead to long-term maxillofacial deviation and deformity.
8. Deep overbite (excessive front tooth overlap): Characterized by the inability to see the lower front teeth when biting. Some cases involve skeletal deformities manifesting as a short lower face. This malocclusion increases the risk of biting the upper gum, as well as periodontal disease in the front teeth and temporomandibular joint disorders.