What does
“bad bite” mean?
The term bad bite is a malocclusion. What that means is that the teeth of the upper jaw or maxilla
do not align appropriately with the teeth of the lower jaw or mandible. A
malocclusion can be limited to the teeth themselves and would be fixed commonly
with orthodontic treatment or braces. Malocclusion can also be the result of
misalignment of the jaws themselves. This can be either congenital, meaning
from birth, developmental in nature, or from a traumatic injury.
What kind of problems can having
a misaligned jaw or malocclusion cause?
Common problems that result from
a misaligned jaw or malocclusion include
- Difficulty
with chewing or incising foods
- Speech
difficulties
- Obstructive
sleep apnea
- Temporomandibular
joint problems
- Cosmetic
disharmony in the smile and facial profile
If I have a severe underbite or
severe misalignment of my teeth, should I consult an oral and maxillofacial
surgeon or a plastic surgeon?
If you are considering surgery
for a severe misalignment of the teeth or jaws, first and foremost, you should
visit an orthodontist. Correction of a malaligned, underdeveloped, or
overdeveloped jaw requires a combined effort, usually including an orthodontist
and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
have special training that requires extensive knowledge of facial surgery as
well as dentistry, which makes them well equipped to manage surgery involving
correction of a bad bite while also considering overall facial harmony. EU
would recommend relying on your orthodontist for ultimate referral though
seeking care initially from an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is reasonable as
well.
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