Malocclusion is the dental term for crooked teeth. When you consider all the different ways teeth can be aligned, it is not surprising that malocclusion manifests itself in numerous forms. At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, it’s a treatable condition.
The number of configurations may surprise you:
When teeth slant forward, it is called upper protrusion, but you may have heard this described, unkindly, as “buck teeth.”
An overbite transpires when the upper front teeth come down too far over the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. An underbite is the reverse—the upper front teeth close farther back than the lower front teeth. An open bite refers to a bite in which the upper don’t overlap the lower teeth. This can occur on the whole bite or just one side.
Tooth rotation is one of the most common types of malocclusion. Rotated teeth appear as if they are twisting out of place. Tooth rotation can create the illusion of uneven coloring because of the way light reflects off the face of teeth.
When the upper and lower palate are offset to the point where the upper teeth close onto the wrong side of the lower teeth, it is labeled a cross bite.
In some rare cases – called transposition – teeth erupt in spots where other teeth should be. For example, a canine (pointed tooth) comes in where an incisor (front biting tooth) should be. Can you imagine trying to chew if your teeth have been playing musical chairs?
Many people with crooked teeth are too self-conscious to smile, but aesthetics are not the only issue at play. Crooked teeth can increase the chance of tooth decay, tooth damage, and TMD temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Children with crooked teeth may have difficulty learning how to speak, and if they can’t chew meat and raw vegetables correctly, they may miss out on needed nutrients due to a limited diet.
At Koch Park Dental in Florissant, we provide clear braces by Six Month Smiles and Invisalign. We also offer general dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.
Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:
314-837-7744
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033
