Orthodontic practice near Paris

Normal occlusion

In this case, the teeth are well aligned giving a Class I angle, allowing the mouth to close properly. The lower teeth are ideally covered by the upper teeth over a third or a quarter of their height.

Horizontal overjet

A horizontal overjet (Class II angle) refers to the distance between the maxillary central incisors and the mandibular central incisors.

Possible consequences:

• Palatal bite : When the upper teeth cover the lower teeth too much, it results in injury to the palatal mucosa.
• Trauma : The risk of incisor trauma (for example during sport) is very high, because the lips are not in position to protect the teeth and the upper teeth do not rest in front of the lower teeth.
• Crowding : Lack of space or crowding in the posterior dental segments.
• Temporomandibular joint disorders : Due to crowding or jaws that do not fit together properly, the temporomandibular joint can be subjected to stress factors, generating joint noise, pain and even locking.
• Tooth wear : As the teeth do not fit together properly, premature and excessive tooth wear can occur. It is not uncommon to see dental crowns sharply cut down in young adults.

Deep bite

A deep bite is visible when the upper incisors hide the lower incisors.

Possible consequences:

• Palatal bite : The lower jaw incisors reach the upper gum and injure the palatal mucosa. The upper incisors can also touch and injure the lower gum.
• Trauma : The risk of incisor trauma (for example during sport) is very high.
• Crowding : Since the jaws do not fit together properly, the teeth can be subject to displacement or overlap resulting in visible crowding.
• Temporomandibular joint disorders : The joint can be subjected to stress factors, generating joint noise, pain and even locking.
• Tooth wear : Premature and excessive tooth wear can occur.

Depending on the severity of the deep bite, only your orthodontist can recommend the appropriate orthodontic appliance.

Prognathism

Prognathism (or forward chin) is detected when the lower front teeth are further forward than the upper incisors. It is considered a very rare case.

Possible consequences:

• Incisor wear : Rapid wear of incisor enamel.
• Temporomandibular joint disorders : Prognathism causes pain and can lead to disorders of the jaw joint.
• Tooth spacing : Appearance of gaps between teeth.

Today, orthodontic techniques have evolved: patients are no longer required to wear external appliances to treat prognathism. Treatment duration is also shorter.

Crossbite

In this case, the lower teeth are closer to the cheek than the upper teeth, placing them in a reversed position.

Possible consequences:

• Asymmetrical facial development : When the dental arches do not fit together, a unilateral crossbite causes the lower jaw to deform towards the crossed side.
• Tooth wear : Premature and excessive tooth wear in young adults.
• Temporomandibular joint disorders : Joint noises, pain and locking occur when the jaws do not fit together properly.

Don't hesitate to discuss this with your orthodontist.

Open bite

Visible when the front teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed. The upper incisors are forced outwards and upwards.

Possible consequences:

• Aesthetic consequence : In most cases, a clear lengthening of the face is visible.
• Tooth wear : As only the back teeth are in contact, patients suffer from sometimes excessive wear.
• Temporomandibular joint disorders : Pain is caused by the pressure exerted on the joint.
• Chewing difficulties : Patients' chewing capacity becomes reduced.

Protrusion

Protrusion is represented by front teeth tilted forwards.

Possible consequences:

• Tooth spacing : Appearance of gaps between teeth.
• Attachment loss : Long-term appearance of gum recession.

Crowding or overlapping teeth

A lack of space for teeth can cause overlap or dental crowding. Almost any occlusion shows some degree of space shortage or crowding. An X-ray is needed to allow the orthodontist to check the correct orientation of the teeth.

Possible consequences:

• Increased risk of cavities : As there is not enough space, brushing the teeth becomes difficult.
• Attachment loss : Tooth displacement out of the bone can cause gum recession to appear.
• Tooth wear : Failure to treat dental crowding in young adults causes premature wear.

Tooth spacing or diastema

Excess space for the teeth can cause inter-dental gaps to appear. This is more commonly known as "lucky teeth" (dents du bonheur). It makes brushing harder and can lead to gum conditions.

Possible consequences:

• Tooth displacement : Since the teeth are not naturally interlocked, they move in an uncontrolled way.
• Attachment loss : Appearance of gum recession.
• Tooth wear : This tooth wear is caused by the fact that the teeth are not interlocked.
• Posterior spacing : Failure to treat this malocclusion causes chewing problems.