Why do you need an overbite correction? Too much protruding teeth can affect a person’s quality of life. It can cause low self-esteem and worst, be bullied because of their unattractive teeth. The good thing your dentist is there to help you overcome that situation and improve the appearance of your smile. Based on the experience of dentists, overbite correction is also possible for people who diagnosed with down syndrome. Any misalignment or dental problem you have, visit your dentist to get proper and healthy treatment.
What is a malocclusion?
A malocclusion is a deviation or misalignment relation between the teeth of the two arches when they meet each other as the jaws close. This condition is mostly inherited. This means it can be passed down from one generation to next. However, some habits and other medical conditions can change the structure and shape of the teeth and jaw. These include:
- thumb sucking in early childhood
- frequent use of a pacifier after the age of 3
- prolonged use of bottle feeding in early childhood
- cleft lip and palate
- injuries that result in the disordered of the jaw
- tumors in the mouth or jaw
- unusually formed or impacted teeth
Overbites, crossbites, underbites and open bites are all kinds of malocclusions. Overbite happens when the upper teeth protrude further beyond the lower teeth. If you have malocclusion teeth, your dentist will classify it by its type and severity. Three major classes of malocclusion are:
Class 1 Malocclusion
It happens when the upper teeth go beyond the lower teeth. In class 1 malocclusion, the bite is normal, and the overlap is slight. This type is the most common malocclusion.
Class 2 Malocclusion
It occurs when an extreme overbite is present. Class 2 malocclusion, often recognized as retrognathism, implies that the upper teeth and jaw extremely overlay the lower teeth and jaw.
Class 3 Malocclusion
This type occurs when there is a severe underbite. Class 3 malocclusion, commonly referred to as prognathism, means that the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth.
Malocclusion problem is common among people with down syndrome. The orofacial and skeletal advancement related to Down Syndrome adds to dental problems. It is essential to know about the kind of anatomical soft tissue and dental irregularities. This information is necessary for the typical developmental pattern of individuals with Down Syndrome, which affect dental issues.
What is Different About the Teeth of People With Down Syndrome?
People with down syndrome have lots of dental issues. Because of their mental condition, the dentist may find it challenging to deal with down syndrome patients. Overbite correction may not only be a dental treatment they needed. Common oral and dental problems of people with Down syndrome include:
Delayed Eruption
The teeth of individuals with Down syndrome, both infant teeth and permanent teeth, may develop late contrasted with children without this condition. On average, children with Down syndrome have their primary teeth at 12 to 14 months. However, it might be as late as two years old enough. Children without Down syndrome commonly get their initial teeth between 6-12 months. Ordinarily, a kid with Down syndrome may not develop all 20 infant teeth until the individual is 4 to 5 years old. As opposed to 2-3 years old, which is commonplace for kids without Down condition. The lasting front teeth and perpetual 6-year-old molars may not emit until 8-9 years old. It is likewise common for the teeth of kids with Down syndrome to emerge in a different order comparison to in kids without Down syndrome.
Small and Missing Teeth
As often as possible, individuals with Down syndrome have smaller than normal teeth and missing teeth. Likewise, it is common for the teeth of individuals with this syndrome to have roots that are more limited than usual.
Large Tongues
Individuals with Down syndrome may have enormous tongues, or they may have a normal size tongue and a little upper jaw that makes their tongue excessively huge for their mouth. It is also normal for individuals with Down disorder to have grooves and fissures on their tongues.
Gum Disease
Individuals with Down syndrome are at expanded danger for gum disease called periodontitis.
In any event, when Down syndrome patients do not have a lot of plaque and tartar, they get gum disease more regularly than others. This is due to individuals with Down syndrome have an impeded immune system and do not have some portion of the regular securities against the infection that regular people have. To prevent periodontal disease brush twice a day, concentrating the fibers along the gum line. Along with this, floss each day and visit a dentist routinely to get gum health monitored and to have X-rays to screen bone levels. In case the gums bleed that implies that they are swollen. It would be best to continue brushing and flossing even more. In fact, these oral hygiene habits will keep the gums clean and help to limit aggravation.
Cavities
Some study articulates that individuals with Down are at less of a danger for cavities. In any case, much of that research was completed when persons with Down syndrome stayed in institutions and had extremely confined eating regimens. Individuals with Down syndrome do get cavities. Hence, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing between any teeth, and restricting the amount and recurrence of sugar will help to avoid the advancement of cavities.
Problems with Bite
Small teeth are common to an individual with Down syndrome. This condition of teeth can cause dividing between the teeth. They additionally tend to have a small upper jaw. This condition may result in their permanent teeth to be impacted since there is no space in the mouth for the teeth to erupt. Their small jaw can also lead to an overbite, underbite, and other kinds of teeth misalignment. Down syndrome patients’ common occurrence is to have an overbite where the upper teeth do not go over the lower teeth the manner in which they are intended to. It is as well common that the upper teeth of individuals with Down syndrome do not touch.
Different Ways for Overbite Correction: Malocclusion Treatment
Most individuals with minor malocclusion will not need any treatment. In any case, your dentist may recommend you to an orthodontist if your malocclusion is severe. Depending on your kind of malocclusion, your orthodontist may suggest different methods. According to the Beyond 32 Dental team these methods can include:
- braces to correct overbite problem or any teeth misalignment
- expulsion of teeth to correct overcrowding
- reshaping, bonding, or capping of teeth
- surgical procedure to shorten or reshape the jaw
- plates or wires to settle the jaw bone
Treatment to correct an overbite and other types of teeth misalignment may also result in some problems. These include:
- tooth decay
- pain or discomfort
- disturbance of the mouth from the use of devices, such as braces
- trouble chewing or talking during treatment
Moreover, orthodontic treatment might have the option to improve these issues for people with down syndrome. Orthodontics need a great deal of collaboration and make the teeth significantly more difficult to keep clean, so it may not be conceivable in all individuals. It might be a smart thought to wait until a kid is older and ready to endure it somewhat better. Having orthodontic devices in the mouth can likewise present speech difficulties. Regular children adapt their speech rapidly. However, in children with Down syndrome, where speech may already be a problem adjusting to the appliances may be exceptionally troublesome. Hence, it would be a great help to delay orthodontic treatment until your child is older and more established, and their speech is further along.
