How Misaligned Teeth Can Be Treated

Misaligned teeth and how they can be treated

However different they may be, misaligned teeth can be corrected well. A range of treatment options is available for this. Which ones these are, and which treatments are best suited to which malocclusions, is what you will learn here.

Table of Contents

Types of misaligned teeth

Treatment options for misaligned jaws and teeth

A personal consultation for a suitable treatment

Cost plan for your treatment

Types of misaligned teeth

Teeth can deviate from their normal alignment in the mouth in various ways. The following overview describes the most common malocclusions and the problems that could result from them.

Underbite (prognathism)

With an underbite, the lower jaw is too long in relation to the upper jaw (or the upper jaw too short in relation to the lower jaw), which not only makes the chin appear excessively large but also leads to an abnormal bite position. Depending on how pronounced the underbite is, it can lead to problems with chewing and even with speaking.

Overbite

With an overbite, the upper jaw is too large in relation to the lower jaw (or the lower jaw too small in relation to the upper jaw), so that it protrudes beyond the lower jaw. If it is strongly pronounced, chewing problems, muscle tension and temporomandibular joint complaints can occur as a result, and there is a risk of increased tooth wear.

Crowding / lack of space

Crowding occurs when the jaw is very small and does not offer enough space for all the teeth. This can cause teeth to overlap, and sometimes the teeth are wedged above or below one another. Such a jumbled tooth position can make dental care more difficult and increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Spacing

Gaps between teeth occur when the jaw is very large and offers excessive space for all the teeth, or when the teeth are too small in relation to the jaw. This can result in spacing that is aesthetically noticeable. If gaps occur in connection with crowding in other areas, this requires medical treatment. In many cases the aesthetic appearance is unpleasant for patients and there is a desire for treatment. Spacing can also lead to speech disorders, which usually place a psychological burden on patients.

Crossbite

With a crossbite, the teeth of the upper and lower jaw are positioned so that their chewing surfaces do not meet properly when biting together. This can be because the lateral teeth in the upper jaw are positioned too far inward or the lateral teeth in the lower jaw too far outward. This can lead to bite problems, temporomandibular joint complaints and increased tooth wear (sometimes also on one side only).

Aplasia

Aplasia refers to the absence of teeth caused genetically or by a developmental disorder. This means that after the baby teeth fall out, no permanent teeth grow in. The resulting gaps in the dentition not only disturb the aesthetics but can also impair chewing and speaking.

Deep bite and covered bite

With a deep bite, the upper incisors excessively cover the lower incisors when biting together (an overlap of about 2-3 mm is normal). As a result, the teeth wear down more and bite problems and temporomandibular joint complaints can occur. If the upper incisors are additionally tipped inward, this is what is known as a covered bite. In addition, injuries to the gums can occur and cause misaligned teeth.

Open bite

With an open bite, the bite does not close sufficiently at the front or lateral teeth (an overlap of about 2-3 mm is normal). As a result, the other teeth wear down more and bite problems and temporomandibular joint complaints can occur. Some patients regularly have the problem of not being able to bite off and chew sufficiently, which can also lead to digestive problems or a decline in the quality of their diet.

Treatment options for misaligned jaws and teeth

Misaligned teeth can be not only genetically determined but can also result from tooth loss or certain habits (e.g. thumb sucking). Regardless of their cause, misaligned teeth can not only affect the appearance of the teeth but also lead to medically relevant problems such as pain in the temporomandibular joint, tooth decay, gum disease or problems with chewing or speaking. This makes it all the more important to correct the misalignment as early and effectively as possible. There are various ways to do this, which we briefly present to you in the following.

Combined orthodontic treatments

In addition to conventional orthodontic treatment methods, combined treatments can be offered when there is a particular wish for discreet, aesthetic treatment. So if a comprehensive correction of misaligned teeth and bite problems is required, but at the same time you also want aesthetic improvements, we can combine different treatment methods with one another in order to achieve the optimal result for you.

One example of a combined treatment is the use of very small brackets made of tooth-colored material (1 mm in size compared with about 0.5 mm for normal brackets) together with aligner therapy. Our specialized temporomandibular joint therapy to relieve complaints, in combination with invisible lingual braces or transparent aligners to correct mild misalignment of the teeth, is also an interesting combined treatment. Through the functional and aesthetic improvement, we can increase your well-being in two respects.

Surgical corrections

In some cases, surgical procedures in combination with orthodontics are required, above all when the facial misalignment is strongly pronounced or there is an anomaly of the jaw structure. With the help of a surgical procedure, these jaw structures can be changed and a harmonious bite position achieved. Sometimes a tooth extraction is also necessary. Removing individual teeth creates space in the jaw that the remaining teeth need in order to grow straight and to avoid crowding with periodontal and decay-related consequences.

Camouflage treatment

The goal of what is known as camouflage treatment is to correct or conceal misalignment without surgically changing the underlying jaw structure. The focus is more on improving the aesthetic appearance, whereby correcting the misaligned teeth of course also has positive effects on remedying temporomandibular joint pain, for example. Different types of braces, available in various versions, are suitable for this. Alongside traditional metal braces, there are also invisible aligners such as Invisalign.

A personal consultation for a suitable treatment

As different as people are, so different are their jaw structures and tooth positions. That is why every patient needs an individual treatment concept that is tailored precisely to their personal needs. Depending on your individual concern, the type of misalignment of your teeth, any complaints and the changes you would like, Dr. Hakim offers you different treatment methods.

After a thorough examination of the status of your jaw and teeth, we conduct a detailed consultation. In it, we present suitable treatment options to you and explain the process and the advantages of the respective methods. Of course, here (and at any later point in time) you have the opportunity to ask all of your questions. We attach great importance to you being actively involved in the treatment process. Your wishes, concerns and needs are at the center of our work. Our goal is not only to correct misalignment but also to realize your aesthetic ideas. In doing so, we are at your disposal with our expertise and our experience in order to help you to improved well-being and a radiant smile.

Cost plan for your treatment

After the preliminary examination and consultation, we create an individual treatment concept for you in which all treatment steps are listed in detail. These vary depending on the type, scope and complexity of the treatment, which is also reflected in the costs. Cost transparency is very important to us. That is why you will of course receive a cost estimate that contains all the costs to be expected. You are welcome to ask us questions about this at any time if you feel the need.