Malocclusion Complications—Reasons to Straighten Your Teeth

If you’re at a dental appointment and hear your dentist say you have a malocclusion, you may wonder what they might be talking about.

Having a malocclusion simply means that your teeth are crooked or don’t fit together properly. There are different types of malocclusions, and orthodontists use three classes to describe them.

Here is how WebMD explains these categories:

• Class I – If your molars are in the correct position but your smile has abnormalities, then you have a Class I malocclusion. Class I includes teeth that are crowded or have crossbites.

• Class II – If you have a Class II malocclusion, then your lower molars are causing your chin to be drawn back. In other words, as Healthline explains, your smile has a severe overbite.

• Class III – People with Class III malocclusions have misaligned upper and lower molars, with their lower molars positioned forward. If you have a jutting jaw, then you may have a Class III malocclusion.

Considering what a malocclusion means for your smile can be reason enough to straighten your teeth. However, malocclusions can cause complications for your life and health as well.

If you have a crooked bite, here are even more reasons to straighten your teeth:

Tooth Wear

While you may associate a crooked smile with negative aesthetics, it’s important you realise how much of an impact your malocclusion can have on your individual teeth.

Depending on the severity of your malocclusion, your bite can actually erode your teeth.

According to the Merck Manual, your molars can exert a lot of force (over 150 lb!) when chewing. However, as Merck explains…

‘If these forces are applied to only a few teeth, those teeth may eventually become mobile or show abnormal wear.’

In other words, some malocclusions can cause your teeth to wear down and even become loose. Your best way to avoid this complication is to straighten your teeth.

Tooth Decay

If you don’t correct your malocclusion, you may experience yet another problem—tooth decay. When your teeth don’t fit together properly, it can be harder to maintain good oral hygiene.

For instance, a turned tooth can cause you to accidentally brush it improperly, and part of your tooth may still have plaque clinging to it. If your teeth are crowded, it may be difficult to remove the food that’s stuck between them.

In short, the straighter your smile is, the easier it is to have healthier teeth.

Self-Consciousness

When it comes to your malocclusion, one complication you need to consider is the self-consciousness you deal with on a daily basis. While self-consciousness doesn’t exactly take a toll on your teeth, it can take a toll on your peace of mind.

If you haven’t chosen to straighten your teeth, then you may deal with negative emotions when you…

• You may feel self-conscious about revealing your smile during moments of spontaneous laughter.

• When you have a malocclusion, posing for the camera can be a challenge. You may find yourself avoiding pictures.

• With a crooked bite, you may struggle with embarrassment when the spotlight is on you to carry a conversation or give a public speech.

The good news is that you can straighten your teeth with a simple, effective solution—Invisalign clear aligners.

With Invisalign, you’ll be able to fix your malocclusion without wearing inconvenient and embarrassing metal braces.

While keeping your orthodontic treatment private, you’ll be able to eat and clean your teeth as you normally would.

Enjoy how Invisalign’s clear plastic aligners turn a crooked bite into a beautiful smile. To start your journey with Invisalign, book a free consultation with your local MiSmile Invisalign provider.