Misaligned teeth can be corrected at a young age and in adulthood. A misaligned tooth is “only” unaesthetic in the best case and has negative effects on eating behavior, swallowing behavior, breathing and speaking behavior in the worst case. These reasons are also responsible for the fact that malocclusions are usually treated at a young age. Since about half of all adolescents wear braces at puberty, this visually striking form of treatment is almost considered a distinguishing mark of this peer group. The following article shows which alternatives to braces there are for adults and which malocclusions are even designated as such by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
Braces are the first choice for adolescents
About half of adolescents of pubertal age will sooner or later be fitted with braces to level out misaligned teeth and ensure straighter teeth in adulthood. After seeing an orthodontist, a decision is made whether removable braces or fixed braces can level the misaligned teeth. Regardless of whether brackets, self-ligating brackets or lingual brackets are fixed to the teeth or whether the removable version is chosen, which is then to regulate the misalignment of the teeth, especially at night, – the correction of the misalignment of the teeth will in any case take several years. It cannot be assumed that correcting malocclusion at a young age is less time-consuming than when the patient is older. Instead, it is a matter of taking advantage of the right time, when the jaw is still more flexible than in adulthood, but is no longer so flexible that regression is imminent once the braces are removed.
Adults can rely on the more aesthetic solution with the help of a dental splint
A dental splint, bite splint or bite splint is an individually made plastic support for the treatment of incorrect stress on the teeth (e.g. teeth grinding at night).
At the latest for adults who are in professional life, fixed braces often look unaesthetic and almost childish, which could have a negative impact on any career options. Since untreated misaligned teeth could also have a negative long-term impact on aesthetics and quality of life, manufacturer DrSmile offers an alternative – exclusively for adults. The manufacturer’s product, which once started as a StartUp, is an invisible dental splint and workflow that is particularly accommodating to busy adults. Certified DrSmile practices now exist at a total of 50 locations throughout Germany. The malpositioned teeth are examined on site and it is determined whether the DrSmile dental splint can be used. A 3D scan and a detailed consultation then clarify the treatment options. The 3D scan makes it possible to see in advance how the malpositioned teeth will be reduced by wearing the dental splint. In this way, patients can see directly in the animation what treatment results they could achieve, how long the treatment will take and what costs are involved. Based on the scan, the dental splints are then made and delivered to the patient’s home. The so-called aligners are transparent, thin splints that are as invisible as they are robust. Manufacturers recommend wearing the aligners 22 hours a day and changing them every two weeks. A smartphone app allows for exchange with experts and accompanies the treatment of the misaligned teeth without the need for numerous visits to the doctor. According to DrSmile, the head bite, the deep bite, the cross bite and the crowding are basically treatable. Other malocclusions must be assessed individually before treatment can begin. Adults are treated. Even if a crown is part of the denture due to a tooth fracture, treatment with the DrSmile dental splint is possible.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists names these tooth malocclusions.
If an orthodontic treatment starts in time, it is almost always possible to steer the disturbed growth of the teeth into normal paths with simple means. According to the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists, there are numerous dental malocclusions of quite different types that are formally so designated:
- An enlarged anterior tooth step is the term used to describe the malocclusion in which an excessively small lower jaw and an excessively large upper jaw meet. Usually, the upper incisors of the upper jaw visually tilt forward while the lower incisors tilt backward. Since the lower and upper jaws do not fit together in this way, it is difficult to bite off anything that tastes delicious. The risk of injuring the upper incisors in an accident is increased. Complete lip closure is also made more difficult. A similar malocclusion in the area of the posterior teeth is called crossbite in technical jargon. Discomfort in the temporomandibular joints can occur in both cases, if the occlusal surfaces do not meet or the malocclusion occurs on one side.
- The pre-bite of the lower jaw is called progeny in medicine. Dominant here is the lower jaw; the upper jaw, on the other hand, often remains behind in growth in this malformation. If the dentition closes, the upper incisors close within the lower jaw. This malocclusion makes chewing and biting difficult. In addition, this malposition is especially visually noticeable, because the chin is usually very pronounced whereas the midface almost seems underdeveloped.
- The open bite is unmistakable, because usually the front teeth are affected. Often, the open bite is the result of thumb sucking or long sucking on a pacifier or bottle. This can have more far-reaching consequences, since not only the bite behavior is restricted, but also the lisp occurs more often.
- The malocclusion of the overbite is also called deep bite in dentistry. In this case, the upper incisors overlap the lower, which prevents normal biting and chewing. If the overlap is very pronounced, the upper incisors can cause injuries in the oral cavity. These are painful and increase the risk of infection.
- The crowding in the jaw or narrow jaw often occurs when the teeth erupt without there already being enough space for the teeth in the jaw. The lack of space in the mouth can occur when the change of teeth happens at a fairly young age. Basically, the crowding in the jaw makes it difficult to clean the teeth, which can be close together and sometimes even wedged. In order to be able to find a place in the denture at all, the teeth then often appear in a second row, which is not visually attractive and also prevents unrestricted chewing and biting. If it comes in the area of the posterior teeth, which do not even break through due to lack of space, they are particularly vulnerable to the infestation of dental germs.
- While a non-attachment of teeth would be a solution in the case of crowding, the non-attachment of teeth without crowding can lead to tooth gaps that are so undesirable. It is then possible to close the gap with the help of orthodontic surgery. Also, if the second teeth are formed too small, it can come to a gap dentition, which must then move closer together to compensate for tooth gaps.