Aetiology of Malocclusion Flashcards
What is the equilibrium theory?
Law of physics: Objects subjected to unequal forces will move to a different position in space
Is duration or magnitude of forces more important
Duration
What pressures affects the vertical and horizontal position of teeth?
Tongue, lips, cheeks at rest, as well as gingival and PDL fibres
Do masticatory forces and soft tissue pressures during swallowing have a major influence on teeth positions
No
What affects the dentition position
- Prolonged thumb sucking
- Forward resting tongue posture
- Macroglossia
- Incompetent lips
What affects the dentition vertically?
Periodontal ligament (eruption)
Opposing tooth
Tongue interposed between teeth
What affects the dentition transversely
Tongue vs cheek
How do muscles affect jaw growth?
- Bone formation at points of muscle attachment -> enlargement of mandibular gonial angles in patients with hypertrophy of mandibular elevator muscles
- Musculature is part of the soft tissue matrix, which growth carries the jaw down and forward
What is neuromuscular activity influenced by?
Genetics and environmentally-influenced behavioural and postural adaptations
Does greater use of jaws lead to increased jaw and dental arch dimensions?
Yes: differences in jaw size among racial groups reflect dietary differences and masticatory effort.
No: dental arch dimensions are established early so this influence must come early in life which is unlikely.
Does reduced biting force affect the amount of dental eruption and hence lower face height and overbite
Short face –> higher maximum biting forces than longer
Different biting forces is an EFFECT not a CAUSE of facial patterns
- not a major factor in tooth eruption
- not an etiologic factor for deep or open bite patients
Exception: Rare muscle dystrophy or weakness syndrome: downwards and backwards mandibular rotation + Excessive eruption of posterior teeth
What happens during thumb sucking
- Interference with incisor eruption –> AOB
- Mandibular is positiong downward to accomodate thumb –> excessive eruption of posterior teeth –> 1mm overeruption = 2mm AOB
Why is there constriction of maxillary arch during sucking habits
- Lowered tongue: reduced pressure on lingual surfaces of upper posterior teeth - posterior crossbite
- Increased cheek pressures: buccinators muscle contracts (greatest at corners of mouth) - tapered arch form
Does tongue thrust swallowing lead to AOB
NO - duration too short
When is tongue thrust swallow seen
- Transitional stage in normal maturation till age 6 (children change to solid food from soft bite) - no. of >6 children with tongue thrust 10x of AOB
- Individuals with displaced incisors - adaptation to achieve anterior oral seal (EFFECT not cause)
Does sustained forward resting tongue posture cause malocclusion
YES - affects vertical and horizontal position of teeth
Does mouth breathing cause malocclusion
unlikely a frequent etiological agent
Mouth breathing –> head extends (drops backwards) –> jaws move apart (elevation of maxilla and depression of mandible + tongue) –> man drops down
Results in:
1. Supraeruption of posterior teeth unless compensated by vertical growth of the ramus –> downwards and backwards rotation of ramus –> Increase in face height, AOB, increased OJ
2. Increased pressure from stretched cheeks –> constricts maxillary dental arch (+ elimination of tongue pressure) –> posterior crossbite
Classic adenoid facies: Narrow width dimensions, protruding teeth, lips separated at rest
How does soft tissue exacerbate or improve the malocclusion of Class II Div 1 patients?
Exacerbate:
1. Lower lip trap –> lower incisor retroclination and upper incisor proclination
2. Active lower lip + low lip line –> Retroclination of lower incisors
3. Forward resting tongue posture and lip incompetence or short upper lip –> Upper incisor proclination
Improve: Lip-to-lip seal by circumoral muscle activity –> reduce overjet severity
How do habits exacerbate malocclusion of Class II Div 1 patients
Non-nutritive sucking (>6hrs a day) –> proclination of upper incisors + retroclination of lower incisors
How do dental features exacerbate malocclusion of Class II Div 1 patients
Maxillary crowding –> labial displacement/proclination of upper incisors
How does soft tissue exacerbate the malocclusion of Class II Div 1 patients?
- High lower lip line (due to reduced LAFH) –> upper incisor retroclination
- Active muscular lips –> Bimax retroclination
How does increased inter-incisal angle cause crowding affect Class II div 2 malocclusions?
Lack of occlusal stop –> continued overeruption of incisors
How do dental features exacerbate malocclusion of Class II Div 1 patients
- Labial displacement/proclination of lower incisors
- Palatal displacement/retroclination of upper incisors
- Functional shift (Pseudo Class III) secondary to occlusal interferences
What skeletal features cause posterior crossbites?
- True transverse discrepancy (mismatch in the widths of the arches)
- Relative transverse discrepancy (positions)
- Mandibular buccal crossbite - SK class III
- Scissorsbite - SK Class II - True skeletal asymmetry