The term ‘malocclusion’ can be used to explain a wide array of dental conditions. A malocclusion is generally known as a “bad bite” which can cause a variety of oral problems. You can have an overbite, open bite, or crowded teeth and each condition can lead to additional issues for your dental health. Fortunately, orthodontics can treat many cases of malocclusions.
Here at Windermere Orthodontics, we offer a number of orthodontic services that can treat your malocclusion problems. Whether you suffer from an open bite, underbite or overbite, we have a solution to help!
What is Malocclusion?
When you have a malocclusion, it affects the way you bite, speak, and smile. Your general appearance is significantly altered, which can impact your self-confidence.
The root word of malocclusion is “occlusion,” which refers to the meeting of your teeth. It is how your teeth come together, while “Mal” is a Latin word means incorrect, and thus malocclusion is simply defined as an incorrect bite.
Causes of Malocclusions
Malocclusions are mostly an inherited condition, which means it can be passed down from one generation to another generation in your family. For example, your grandmother has a malocclusion, and your mother or father doesn’t have, as their child, you still have a risk of having a malocclusion.
Apart from genetics, here are some of the causes of malocclusion:
- Thumb sucking in early childhood
- Prolonged bottle-feeding
- Cleft lip and palate
- Frequent used of pacifier
- Allergies or other medical conditions that cause mouth breathing and airway obstruction
- Impacted teeth
- Tumors in the jaw or mouth
- Poor oral care
- Injuries on your mouth or jaw
Treatment
If you think you have a bite problem, it is important to seek treatment from an orthodontist. Come visit us at Windermere Orthodontics and Dr. Gorlovsky will assess and examine your teeth and bite.
Visit our orthodontic office in Suwanee, Brookhaven or Cumming if you need orthodontic treatment. We look forward to meeting you!