A pathology characterized by excessive development of the lower jaw or, conversely, an underdeveloped upper jaw is called a mesial occlusion. Read about the correction and causes of this ailment below.
A similar problem is reflected in the appearance and behavior of its owner:
- wide, protruding lower lip;
- "Courageous" protruding chin;
- the profile of the face is shifted inward;
- the lower incisors are above the upper dentition with a closed jaw;
- there is clicking and crunching while chewing food;
- during a conversation, a person lisps.
Mesial bite is accompanied by discomfort not only from the side of aesthetics. If you ignore the anomaly, the risk of periodontitis and periodontal disease, gastrointestinal diseases increases. Over time, the shape of the face is distorted, difficulties arise during implantation and prosthetics of the teeth.
Causes
Most often, malocclusion is formed in the womb and is a genetic disease.
External factors of the anomaly include:
- severe illness during pregnancy;
- birth injury;
- artificial feeding;
- rickets or diseases that affect the development of the jaw;
- consequences of ENT diseases (a deviated septum in the nose);
- early loss of milk teeth of the upper jaw;
- shortened frenulum of the tongue.
Some children's bad habits affect the formation of the mesial occlusion:
- sucking fingers, toys, upper lip;
- incorrect position during sleep (head low on the chest);
- placing hands under the chin while exercising or watching TV.
Another reason is the increased secretion of a hormone that affects the development of the jaw.
All of the above factors are genetic, congenital or acquired.
In 40% of cases of mesial occlusion, the cause is a hereditary feature of the structure of the skull. Some types of birth trauma, maternal illness during pregnancy, premaxillary hypoplasia can cause congenital mesial occlusion. The malocclusion can be artificial feeding of a newborn, mouth breathing due to various ENT diseases, rickets suffered in infancy.
Diagnosis and treatment
Only an orthodontist can determine the degree of the disease, its severity and type. At the reception, the specialist conducts diagnostics in several stages:
- Visual examination of the face in full face and profile.
- Measurement of anthropometric indicators and bite depth using special devices.
Next, the doctor gives a referral for tomography, radiography or MRI of the jaws. Additionally, examinations are carried out by an otolaryngologist and a speech therapist.
On the basis of measurements, pictures and medical examinations, further treatment is built.
The process of correcting the mesial occlusion stretches for many months. The time of treatment depends on the age of the patient - the younger the age, the easier it is to form the correct bite.
The main methods of treatment:
- prosthetics (removable and non-removable);
- myotherapy - therapeutic exercises aimed at strengthening the dentoalveolar system, used together with a special massage;
- orthodontic - installation of trainers, hard plates, bracket systems;
- surgical - there are a lot of techniques based on the intervention of a surgeon (for example, grinding teeth);
- combined - includes a set of measures aimed at severe cases.
Underbite, recognized in childhood, provides the most effective treatment. An undeveloped skeletal system is more plastic and can be corrected, which makes it possible to effectively solve this problem. To restrain the growth of the lower jaw, removable or non-removable structures are used: caps, dental trainers and braces.
Treatment in adults
In an adult, the jaw apparatus is fully formed and is difficult to change. Surgical intervention is used to achieve quick positive results. Before starting the operation, the attending physician prescribes a series of tests to avoid negative consequences. After correcting the bite, the patient is hospitalized for a month. Orthopedic devices will help to avoid recurrence.
If the patient, for personal reasons, does not want to use drastic measures, a special bracket system is installed (before mounting it, part of the teeth is removed) or a cap.
This method stretches over a period of 3-4 years. Further, the same amount will be required to consolidate the results.
Correction of the mesial occlusion in a child
In children under 12 years of age, the jaw system is only being formed and can be changed in less time. The sooner treatment begins in a child, the faster and more effectively it will pass.
Myogymnastics is able to correct the bite only at the age of 3-5 years. Regular daily classes (morning and evening) take 10 minutes of time and consist of simple exercises.
Painless methods include caps, plates and trainers that need to be worn for 1-2 years (they are made individually for each patient).
At the time of treatment, the child should be taught simple hygienic rules for caring for the oral cavity.
Metal devices for bite correction bring aesthetic discomfort for both children and adults. To prevent dental problems from reducing self-esteem, there are special transparent braces and plates.
At home, it is impossible to correct the mesial bite. Only a specialist can prescribe treatment.
Prevention
Preventive measures will help to avoid improper development of the jaw apparatus, expensive and painful treatment. Simple rules should be followed:
- At the initial stage, it is important to breastfeed the baby. Bottle feeding provokes tension in a fragile jaw.
- At the age of 2-3 years (after the appearance of milk teeth), a trip to the dentist for a professional examination is mandatory. Such visits should become regular - once every six months.
- When symptoms of dental diseases appear, do not delay a visit to a specialist.
- Monitor and eliminate behavioral bad habits in the child (sucking objects or fingers, hunching over or putting fists under the chin).
- Monitor the position of the baby's body during sleep. Pillow size should be age appropriate.
- Do daily myogymnastics.
- Include solid foods (raw carrots, apple) in your diet to improve blood circulation in the gums.
The key to the health of the child is the professional supervision of the mother during pregnancy and childbirth. If malocclusion is a hereditary disease of the family, prevention should not be neglected.
Misual bite can be treated at any age. It is important not to delay treatment until orthopedic problems cause a bunch of diseases.
Mesial occlusion before and after treatment:
