Jaw misalignment (tooth misalignment)

A Jaw misalignment is just like one Misaligned teeth now a widespread problem. It is estimated that around 60 percent of children and adolescents suffer from such a deformity. In addition to general problems with chewing and speaking, misaligned jaws and teeth can also lead to serious problems.

What is jaw misalignment (tooth misalignment)?

If children are younger than 9 years, mild measures such as mouth pads are usually taken. These insoles promote muscle development at important points, so that small misaligned jaws and teeth can be corrected on their own.
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The doctors speak of one Misaligned teethwhen the teeth are out of proportion to each other. If the shape and position of the upper and lower jaw do not fit exactly, then there is a jaw malposition.

Contrary to the position in a healthy set of teeth, which is also called a neutral bite, a misalignment of teeth or jaws means that the teeth are not arranged symmetrically. Therefore, like scissors, the incisors cannot interlock or the molars do not fit one another like gears.

This not only disturbs the overall appearance of the face, but also prevents the teeth from chewing optimally. It is also possible that the misalignment of the jaw or the misaligned teeth may result in a speech defect.

causes

A Jaw misalignment or Misaligned teeth can have very different causes. In most cases, however, the cause is innate. A particular problem in this context is that the genetic makeup for teeth and jaws are inherited separately. This can result in the size of the teeth and the size of the jaw not matching. This can lead to crowding of the teeth or, in the opposite case, to a gap in the bite.

But also certain hereditary diseases or congenital malformations, such as the cleft lip and palate or Down syndrome, lead to tooth and jaw malformations.

However, malformations of the jaw and teeth are not always present from birth. Certain behaviors, especially at a young age, can lead to misaligned jaws or teeth. For example, frequent and long-term use of pacifiers or feeding bottles, thumb sucking, premature loss of milk teeth due to tooth decay or accidents, excessive mouth breathing due to health problems or bad habits such as pressing the tongue against the teeth or chewing on the lips, misaligned teeth or jaw misalignment can be triggered.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

A misaligned jaw or tooth misalignment can have local effects in the jaw area as well as other organ structures and cause symptoms there. Tooth misalignment in the mouth can often be recognized by abrasion on the tooth surfaces. This is caused by an imprecise bite and nocturnal teeth grinding, which can also be a consequence and therefore symptoms of misaligned jaws or teeth.

In addition, odd teeth are often a factor in the development of tooth decay or periodontal disease, which are also possible signs of the wrong bite. Swallowing disorders or breathing problems can also indicate a malalignment of the jaw and the resulting functional disorders of the muscles or narrowing.

The term craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD) is often used in connection with the malalignment in the jaw and tooth area. This complex of symptoms shows that a bad bite can affect many other parts of the body. This begins with tension and pain in the muscles of the jaw and neck, which can spread further. It is not uncommon for headaches and back pain to be a symptom that arises from a misaligned jaw.

Stomach and intestinal complaints can also be a consequence of a malaligned jaw. Think of the saying "digestion begins in the mouth". If teeth are crooked or the upper and lower jaws are not in proper contact with one another, the chewing function is difficult, which can manifest itself in digestive problems.

Diagnosis & course

Brackets may look unsightly at first glance. In the long term, teeth in particular pay off visually and in terms of dental health.

The diagnosis of a dental or Jaw misalignment is first put through a thorough investigation. Important signs of a misalignment of the jaw and teeth can be a visible malalignment, problems with lip closure or chewing, speech defects, pain and cracking when opening the mouth in the jaw joint. Persistent headaches or snoring can also be an indication of a misaligned jaw.

For trained professionals, a first look into the oral cavity can be enough to justify the suspicion of a misalignment of the jaw or teeth. However, it is important to make an accurate orthodontic diagnosis through impressions of the jaws and various x-rays.

If a jaw misalignment or tooth misalignment is not permanently corrected, it can not only become worse, but it can also lead to inflammation of the mucous membrane, periodontitis, caries, gastrointestinal problems, incorrect posture of the spine and headaches.

Complications

An untreated jaw misalignment or tooth misalignment results in an uneven load on the individual teeth and the temporomandibular joints. The result is one-sided wear of the chewing surfaces, the emergence of sharp edges on tooth edges and the breaking off of tooth edges. If the enamel is missing, tooth decay is easy.

Furthermore, the one-sided pressure on the tooth bed causes the surrounding gums to shrink, so that tooth necks are exposed over time. The unprotected tooth necks cause pain when eating hot, cold and spicy food or even when there is a cold draft. One speaks of sensitive teeth. As the condition progresses, inflammatory periodontal disease develops and eventually chronic periodontal disease.

As the hold of the gums decreases, teeth can tilt, twist and loosen, which in the worst case leads to tooth loss. Gradual arthritic changes in the temporomandibular joints, sometimes with considerable pain when opening the mouth and when chewing, become an unpleasant permanent condition. A treatment with bite implants requires several visits to the dentist and requires a lot of time and patience over months.

Nevertheless, the reduction in the expected consequences justifies the lengthy treatment and the continuous cooperation of the patient. Last but not least, treatment of the jaw misalignment saves considerable costs for subsequent prosthetic restoration of the teeth.

When should you go to the doctor?

If the growing child or adult has problems chewing, a dental examination is recommended. If there are disruptions in the chopping of the food or if the food can only be ground further in the mouth with great effort, a doctor is required. If the jaw is misaligned, those affected often avoid the intake of food that has to be chewed thoroughly in the mouth before being transported into the esophagus.

A doctor should examine the irregularities so that there is no deterioration in the state of health. If pain develops in the area of ​​the teeth, gums or jaw, a doctor should be consulted. The complaints often spread to the ears, neck or head. A doctor's visit is therefore necessary as soon as severe headaches, sleep disorders, tension or concentration problems occur repeatedly.

If the shape of the face is visually abnormal, discrepancies are already recognizable and should be discussed with a doctor. If the lower jaw is very much in front of or behind the upper jaw, the painting process cannot sufficiently take place while the food is being chopped up. If the misalignment is noticed during the growth process, an oral surgical control visit is advisable. If the jaw position changes in the course of life or if there are problems with existing dentures, a doctor's visit is necessary.

Treatment & Therapy

A Misaligned teeth or Jaw misalignment does not have to be fixed in every case. The misalignment should only be corrected if the problems mentioned occur or if these problems appear likely to arise. It is true that a correction is possible at any age, but shows better and faster results in children and adolescents. In addition, most health insurance companies only pay for orthodontic treatments up to the age of 18.

However, if children are younger than 9 years, mild measures such as mouth pads are usually taken. These insoles promote muscle development at important points, so that small misaligned jaws and teeth can be corrected on their own.

In the case of larger misalignments, however, it is usually necessary to exert external force on the misaligned tooth. You can do this with braces. Removable braces are often sufficient in the event of a malformation of the incisors. However, this should be worn for at least 14 hours a day. If the root position of the teeth has to be massively influenced, the patient is given fixed braces. Brackets are glued to the teeth and connected with a thin wire. This creates a permanent force on the teeth.

In adulthood it may be necessary to pull some teeth beforehand due to the low flexibility in the jaw. Surgical intervention may be necessary in the case of particularly severe malpositions of the jaw. Parts of the jaw can be relocated or removed in order to correct the jaw misalignment.

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Outlook & forecast

The prognosis of jaw misalignment depends on the extent of the symptoms. In most patients, the misalignment can be changed through the use of braces. These are worn daily for a few months or years during the patient's growth process and lead to a gradual change and optimization of the jaw position. The correction aids are checked at regular intervals and adapted to changes. After completing the treatment, the patient will experience no symptoms for the rest of their life.

In the case of a severe jaw deformity, surgical procedures are used. A full recovery cannot always be made. In these cases there are often other diseases that prevent this. An optimization of the optical change and the functionality of the jaw is usually achieved.

If the jaw position is triggered in adult life due to violence, an accident or a fall, surgical procedures are also used. The prognosis depends on the patient's individual situation. In many of those affected, it is possible to correct the misalignment completely. After a few months, the patient is discharged from treatment as cured. In the event of severe injuries, some patients report long-term restrictions in the range of motion of the jaw or other irregularities in purchasing processes or language formation.

prevention

To one Misaligned teeth or Jaw misalignment To prevent this, the aforementioned behaviors that promote such a misalignment should be avoided. This includes in particular the long-term use of feeding bottles, pacifiers, thumb sucking and the like.

Aftercare

The treatment of the jaw misalignment or tooth misalignment by the orthodontist can in some cases be supplemented with the help of special aftercare. This will be discussed with the treating orthodontist, in the case of a CMD (craniomandibular dysfunction) accompanying the jaw malposition, possibly with an orthopedic surgeon or other medical specialists. This must be decided on a case-by-case basis.

The cause of the misalignment of the jaw and teeth is closely related to the type of follow-up care. If the teeth are simply unevenly grown, it may be helpful to wear a stabilizer for a certain time after the traditional treatment with braces. This is adjusted by the orthodontist and ensures the result of the treatment in the long term.

If the cause of an orthodontic problem lies in grinding your teeth or in the orthopedic area, follow-up care will also be tailored accordingly. This can be a psychological therapy with regard to teeth grinding as well as the stretching and strengthening of certain muscle parts in the fitness area. Sometimes relaxation methods such as progressive muscle relation and autogenic training are also helpful.

Yoga can also restore physical or psychological balance. A special bite splint can also be prescribed to prevent teeth grinding at night, which should be worn regularly as part of follow-up care. Regular checks by the dentist or orthodontist round off the follow-up care.

You can do that yourself

A jaw misalignment or tooth misalignment cannot be treated on its own, but requires orthodontic care. In general, thorough oral hygiene is important to support the oral flora and to keep all teeth, especially the permanent ones, healthy. The dentist often points out jaw misalignment in children and refers the patient to an orthodontist. Children and adolescents with misaligned jaws or teeth are initially given removable mouth pads or splints that deform the jaw. The cooperation of the patient is crucial for the success of the treatment.As a rule, the insoles are to be worn daily, especially overnight and also during the day with the exception of meals. Regular cleaning of the insoles reduces irritation or inflammation of the gums.

By wearing the insoles regularly and as prescribed, patients have a positive effect on the success of the therapy. If the tooth misalignment is particularly severe, fixed brackets are used on the individual teeth. Treatment in adolescents usually lasts for several years and is often associated with complications such as pain, difficulty eating, and irritation of the gums and oral mucosa. Adequate oral and dental hygiene improves irritation, and soft foods and homeopathic pain relievers prescribed by the doctor are recommended.