Orthodontic treatment for malocclusions is most easily achieved during the childhood and early adolescent years, while the jaw and teeth are still developing. During childhood and early adolescence, orthodontists use growth modification techniques to reform the jaw. This also may involve extracting certain teeth, and application of fixed or removable appliances to straighten the teeth.
In recent years, more and more adults have been electing to have orthodontic treatment with braces. Adult braces can straighten the teeth to hide a jaw problem. However, jawbone reconstruction does require orthognathic surgery. In some cases, surgery is performed in conjunction with orthodontic treatment.
Here's a look at some of the major conditions that can be corrected with orthodontic treatment:
- Crossbite - When the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth (toward the tongue), it is usually referred to as a crossbite. Crossbites of both back teeth and front teeth are commonly corrected early due to biting and chewing difficulties.
- Crowding - Small dental arches or abnormally large teeth can often cause misaligned teeth. Severe overcrowding in the mouth can cause the bone and gums over the roots of extremely crowded teeth to become thin and recede. Crowding can also lead to impacted teeth, poor biting relationships and undesirable appearance.
- Deep overbite - When the lower incisor (front) teeth bite too close or into the gum tissue behind the upper teeth, the result is called a deep overbite. Significant bone damage and discomfort can occur when the lower front teeth bite into the palate or gum tissue behind the upper front teeth. A deep bite can also contribute to excessive wear of incisors.
- Open bite - Upper and lower incisor teeth that do not touch when biting down can lead to what's called an open bite. An open space between the upper and lower front teeth causes all the chewing pressure to be placed on the back teeth. This excessive biting pressure and rubbing together of the back teeth makes chewing less efficient and may contribute to significant tooth wear.
- Overjet (protruding upper teeth) - Thumb and finger sucking habits can cause a protrusion of the upper incisor teeth. Upper front teeth that protrude, or stick out and do not make normal contact with the lower front teeth are often susceptible to injury. Protruding upper teeth often indicate a poor bite of the back teeth or molars, or unevenness in jaw growth. Protruded upper teeth are often associated with a lower jaw that is short in proportion to the upper jaw.
- Spacing - Abnormal spacing between teeth happens when teeth are missing or are small, or the dental arch is very wide. The most common complaint from those with excessive space is poor appearance.
- Underbite or lower jaw protrusion - A very small percent of the population has a lower jaw that is to some degree longer than the upper jaw. This can cause the lower front teeth to protrude ahead of the upper front teeth. Careful monitoring of jaw growth and tooth development is indicated for these patients.
- Rotation - Rotation is a condition that occurs when a tooth turns or tips out of its normal position.
- Transposition - Transposition is a condition that occurs when teeth erupt in one another`s place.