Have you ever been confused by the terms your doctors use? Do you end up wondering about their meaning after your appointment? If you have ever needed teeth straightening in the Los Angeles area, or anywhere else, you might have come across the term “bite class” during your visit to a dentist. “Bite classes” are something your orthodontist would use while making a diagnosis of the alignment issues of your teeth and jaws.
What are bite classes, anyway? What do they mean and why are they important? Your dentist corrects oral alignment issues by prescribing the right treatment course. They can devise the treatment plan based on multiple factors, one of them being bite classes. Short for bite classification, bite classes come in three categories. The type of bite you have can be classified by dentists – whether you have a jaw misalignment or you have a normal bite.
Your bite class can be determined by the position of the first molars in both your upper and lower jaws. Your dentist would examine your teeth to decide your bite class. It becomes easier for dentists and orthodontists to make the right diagnosis and determine the reason behind misalignment if the bites are classified. As the position of your jaws are connected to the shape of your facial skeleton, it becomes harder to start treatments if you have a class II or III bite.
Here are the types and features of bite classes:
- Class I bite:
Also known as a balanced bite, a normal bite is when the molars of the teeth are properly aligned. You don’t need teeth straightening if you have a Class I bite. However, if your teeth alignment goes into the other bite classes, you will need to book an appointment with professional like orthodontist in Los Angeles. You should fix your smile now to ensure you don’t face oral problems or discomfort later on. - Class II bite:
People with their upper first molar in front of their lower first molar would fit into this category. If you have this misalignment, your upper jaw would extend in front of your lower jaw. Some common reasons behind class II bites are overgrowth of the upper jaw, undergrowth of the lower jaw, habits like finger sucking and grinding teeth, or even your genetics. - Class III bite:
A class III bite is where your upper first molar will be positioned behind your lower first molar. It’s basically the opposite of a class II bite. If you have a class III bite, your lower jaw will protrude in front of your upper jaw. Class III bites can be caused by the usage of ill-fitting dental appliances, loss of tooth, or the person’s genetics. Other reasons are the improper growth of your lower jaw or the excessive growth of your upper jaw.
Why are bite classes important?
As mentioned before, your orthodontist use bite classesto conduct an accurate diagnosis and design an accurate treatment plan. You should get yourself checked with an orthodontist, whether the misalignment of your jaw is not noticeable or not. After confirming your bite class,your orthodontist canprovide a treatment plan.
If you’re looking to move your residence soon, you don’t have to wait. Just opt for local dental treatments like teeth straighteningand continue it elsewhere.Dentists don’t usually mind taking on a patient who’s in the middle of their treatment plan.
What are the effects of an improper bite?
If not treated in time, improper bites can lead to a lot of pain and health problems. Since many suffer from it due to teeth and jaw misalignment, improper bites can be the reason behind jaw pain and headaches.Your facial muscles and the hinge jointsof your jaw can get badly strained and injured.
Your teeth could also suffer fromuneven wear and tear,chipping, tooth decay,and enamel erosion. These would lead to muscle trauma and other oral problems withserious long-term consequences. The bright side is that you can avoid it all by visiting an orthodontist every six months.
How to treat an improper bite?
Your orthodontist would first evaluate your jaw health and the extent of your bite issues. They might do this by ordering scans and X-rays to assess the situation.Depending on the extent of the problem, they will draw up a customized treatment course to fix your improper bite.
There are many procedures that can help fix an improper bite. Dental contouring,early interceptive care, and orthodontic treatmentare some of them. Dental contouring is a technique thatchanges the shape, length, and position of some of your teeth. While you need to visit your dentist many times, it’s a rather inexpensive way to achieve a tight bite. However, dental contouring would only work if a fewmisaligned teethdon’t fit together.
Early interceptive care is for children whose permanent teeth start to erupt. While many children don’t require early intervention, it’s useful for kidswho show early signsof jaw alignment issues.Close and careful monitoring by an orthodontist will ensure childrendon’t suffer from improper bites as adults.You can provide intervention at the right timethrough early interceptive care.It can even open up moretreatment options in the future.
Since misalignment is one of the most common causes of improper bites, teeth straightening is an effective way to fix the bite. Your dentist can do thisthrough dental appliances like traditional metal braces and Invisalign. They make your bite more natural and healthier while fixing your smile. Your orthodontist will advise you on the type of dental applianceyou should choose. While it’s ultimately your call, consider your medical needs, budget, and lifestyle before taking a decision.
There are reputed orthodontists you can consult for teeth straightening in the Los Angeles area. Bite classes play an important role in diagnosingand treating dental problems.Now, the next time your orthodontist evaluates your bite class, you’ll know what it means.
