Dental Malocclusion in Lancaster, PA

Dental malocclusion happens because of a misaligned bite or mismatched jaws, which causes your upper and lower teeth to close incorrectly. This may create overcrowding, crooked teeth, and/or bite problems (underbite, overbite, crossbite). Dental malocclusion is broken down into three separate categories. Class I is the most prevalent and appears when the top teeth overlap the lower teeth. In class II, the upper jaw and teeth majorly overlap the bottom teeth and jaw. Class III occurs when the lower jaw sticks out, causing it to overlap the upper teeth and jaw. Though it's generally genetic, malocclusion might also occur because of trauma, thumb-sucking, or teeth grinding. If not properly treated, dental malocclusion can cause TMJ, gum disease, and sleep disorders. Our dentists at Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates have years of experience diagnosing and treating dental malocclusions so your children can live more comfortably. We are proud to help our Lancaster, PA area patients with similar conditions.

Depending on the type and severity of your malocclusion, we offer several treatment options to address your child's oral health. Generally, we use orthodontics, such as traditional metal braces or Invisalign® Teen clear aligners to handle your child's unique condition. Those who benefit from malocclusion therapies are children or teenagers who have misaligned teeth, cracked or broken teeth, and problems chewing because of their underbite, overbite, or crossbite.

The most common treatment for dental malocclusion is usually some form of orthodontics. This could include things, like retainers, clear teeth aligners, or braces. Patients with acute overcrowding of the teeth might need to have some teeth pulled before receiving additional treatment. If the jaw is badly misaligned, then we might recommend surgery to correctly reposition it and treat any other deformities. We offer Invisalign Teen braces and traditional metal braces for your child's oral health needs.

If your child requires orthodontics, they will need to wear them for a few years. Once we have fixed their teeth, we will provide a removable or permanent retainer to help keep the teeth in their proper position. Following any type of therapy, you should continue to schedule regular child dental exams and cleanings so we can monitor their bite for changes and clean for plaque.

The expense of your treatment for dental malocclusion will depend on the recommended procedure. Prior to treatment, our billing team will speak with your dental insurance provider, if you carry insurance, to inquire about your policy and the associated costs. Next, we will call you to discuss exactly what your insurance covers and what we offer in terms of payment methods and medical financing programs.

Dental issues related to malocclusion can cause emotional and physical discomfort and may lead to more serious problems if they go untreated. At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, we strive to diagnose and address malocclusion to allow your child a straighter and more comfortable smile. Please contact our Lancaster, PA facility to schedule an appointment and help your child have a healthy, straight smile.