The Three Common Types Of Bad Bites Described By Orthodontists

By Author: Jaw Surgery.
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Over the years, corrective jaw surgery has been performed to treat a number of facial imbalances that orthodontic treatment alone was incapable of treating.

Over the years, corrective jaw surgery has been performed to treat a number of facial imbalances that orthodontic treatment alone was incapable of treating. Malocclusion is a term that orthodontists used to refer to a bad bite. The extent of the bad bite is what causes us to classify them into groups after which either the patient is advised to undergo jaw surgery or orthodontic treatment. These facial imbalances or bad bite types are classified into three distinct groups namely class 1, class 2 and class 3 malocclusions.

We will start off with the class 1 malocclusion which is present in approximately 70% of the world’s population. Someone having class 1 malocclusion has a bad bite due to dental crowding as opposed to an imbalance of the upper and lower jaw sizes. This is because the upper jaw is relatively normal to the lower jaw. In such cases, procedures like lower jaw surgery do not have to be performed. However, a dental surgeon will be in a better ...
... position to explain whether you may need corrective jaw surgery or not.

Overbite jaw surgery is used to treat conditions that involve class 2 malocclusion. With class 2 malocclusion also known as the overbite or reverse under bite, the upper jaw leans forward further than the lower jaw. This is not to say that the upper jaw is big and the lower jaw is small, it simply suggests that the upper one is proportionally bigger and moves further forward than the lower one and the arch of the teeth. This malocclusion is present among 25% of the population and can be treated by maxillofacial jaw surgery.

In class 3 malocclusion, also known as the under bite describes the upper jaw as being further behind than the lower one. This could mean that the upper jaw is a bit too small causing a bad bite. Class 3 malocclusion is present among 5% of the population.

These three types of bad bites can be treated using maxillofacial jaw surgery. Their causes can be attributed to the growth of the facial bones and jaws. If there is an existing inharmonious relationship between your facial skeleton then you are more likely to suffer from either of the above malocclusions. However, genes too can cause jaw problems.

Corrective jaw surgery can only be performed after the cause and description of the bad bite have been established. An orthodontist may describe the bad bite in a different fashion as compared to the maxillofacial surgeon’s description. This is due to the fact that both specialists have different bias, interest and background. You do not expect to get detailed information about jaw surgery from an orthodontist.

However, a dental specialist is fully qualified to explain to a patient’s the condition and the best approach to take in correcting it. In case you think you have a bad bite, gummy smile, crooked teeth or simply a funny face, then it is best to consult a dental specialist to get information on the right procedure that will give you a beautiful smile.
Resource: http://www.myjawsurgery.com.au/