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Sequelae of Untreated Malocclusion

Untreated malocclusion can lead to several negative health consequences: 1. It can cause poor self-esteem and psychological issues due to unfavorable dentofacial aesthetics. 2. It increases risks of speech issues, dental caries, periodontal disease, bruxism, worsening of malocclusion, improper mastication and swallowing, respiratory diseases, and temporomandibular joint disorders. 3. Leaving malocclusion untreated can also result in problems like impacted teeth, accidental tooth fractures, interference with normal growth, and obstacles for full mouth reconstruction. Orthodontic treatment can help address many of these issues.

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Dr-Soheir Saad
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952 views4 pages

Sequelae of Untreated Malocclusion

Untreated malocclusion can lead to several negative health consequences: 1. It can cause poor self-esteem and psychological issues due to unfavorable dentofacial aesthetics. 2. It increases risks of speech issues, dental caries, periodontal disease, bruxism, worsening of malocclusion, improper mastication and swallowing, respiratory diseases, and temporomandibular joint disorders. 3. Leaving malocclusion untreated can also result in problems like impacted teeth, accidental tooth fractures, interference with normal growth, and obstacles for full mouth reconstruction. Orthodontic treatment can help address many of these issues.

Uploaded by

Dr-Soheir Saad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sequelae of untreated malocclusion

1- Poor dentofacial esthetics and unfavorable psychodontics:

Despite the famous statement that says “Beauty is in the eyes of


the beholder”, researchers showed that persons having poor
dentofacial esthetics suffer from the following:
- Low self esteem.
- Immature psychological behavior.
- They also tend to be shy and self conscious.
These problems improve by orthodontic treatment.

2- Predisposition to speech pathology:


Malocclusion affects speech either directly or indirectly.
a- Directly by mechanical difficulties resulting from the present
malocclusion.
b- Indirectly through the influence of malocclusion on the
psychological, physical and mental status of the individual.

3- Increased caries index:


Caries is a chronic, irreversible complex problem that is further
complicated by tooth malposition. Crowded teeth may be difficult
to cleanse and favor the accumulation of food and debris.
4- Predisposition to periodontal diseases:
- Again, crowded teeth may be difficult to cleanse and favor the
accumulation of food and debris, which is a predisposing factor
for I habit nitiation and progression of periodontal disease.
- Improper proximal contact leads to gingivitis, and periodontitis.
- Deep bite results in abnormal functional stresses which
accelerates alveolar bone loss.
- Anterior cross bite also results in abnormal functional stresses.
- In severe cases with anterior cross bite the incisors tend to be
out of masticatory function and undergo a process similar to
disuse atrophy.
5- Bruxism and clenching:
Bruxism is the habit of unconscious grinding of teeth. Clenching is
the habit of unconscious closing tightly the teeth. Both habits occur
during sleep and stressful situations and both are associated with
periodontal distruction.
6- Substitution of malocclusion with a more severe form:
For example, in case of maxillary protrusion and/or mandibular
retrusion, the lower lip rests behind the maxillary incisors and the
tongue thrusts forward for swallowing. This increases the existing
protrusion further and creates an anterior open bite.
7- Improper mastication:
The food bolus is not properly mixed with saliva and is not crushed
enough with subsequent extra load on the digestive system.
8- Improper swallowing:
With some types of malocclusion anterior tongue thrust may be
present together with sucking of the lower lip which are indicative
of abnormal swallowing.
9- Predisposition to respiratory diseases:
Malocclusion may be associated with mouth breathing. In this
case the filtering and warming effect of the nasal passages is lost.
It was found that respiratory diseases are more common in mouth
breathers than nasal breathers.
10-Tempromandibular joint (TMJ) disorder:
Malocclusion may cause TMJ disorder; crepitus or clicking may
occur with pain and/or limitation of mandibular movement.
11-Interference with normal growth and development:
- Unilateral cross bite in childhood may result in facial
asymmetry in adulthood.
- Maxillary protrusion and/or mandibular retrusion, the lower lip
rests behind the maxillary incisors and the tongue thrusts
forward for swallowing, the mentalis muscle becomes
hyperactive resulting in increase in the alveolar dental dysplasia.
12- Predisposition to accidental fracture:
Protruded anterior teeth may predispose to accidental fracture. If
the fracture causes pulp exposure, endodontic treatment will be
indicated. A permanent restoration cannot be made before a
certain age which may develop unfavorable psychodontics.
13- Impaction and possible cystic focus:
An impacted tooth is a possible cystic focus.
14- Obstacles for full mouth reconstruction:
An overerupted maxillary molar may interfere with mandibular
prosthodontic procedures.

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