Disorders of the joint between the jaw and jawbone and those involving the muscles of the visa and neck fall within the field of gnathology.
This branch of dentistry is therefore concerned with identifying and resolving abnormalities in the cranio-mandibular relationship: malocclusions. bruxism, alterations in mandibular bone movement, and so on.
Jaw-jaw joint disorders
In an optimal situation, the movement of the jaw is fluid and free, without leading to strain on the structures connected to it: when there are joint disorders or cases of malocclusion, this movement is no longer isotonic and can give rise to various consequences that may involve other parts of the body.
A malocclusion is when the teeth in the two arches do not align perfectly. It is a widespread problem, but very often underestimated.
Unfortunately, malocclusions can have negative effects on the entire body: they range from difficulties in chewing to difficulties in pronouncing words, but the consequences can also affect areas of the body away from the mouth (headaches, postural problems, pain in the muscles of the neck and, in the long run, the back).
How to intervene in case of malocclusion
Malocclusions fall within the operating field of the gnathologist, which is a physician who specializes precisely in solving problems of this type and in postural correction of the jaw.
Professionals at the Savasta practice also include figures who specialize in this area. The first step toward solving the problem is, of course, diagnosis: using state-of-the-art instruments, the specialist is able to identify any abnormalities, so that he or she can prepare a therapy tailored to the patient's actual condition.
Depending on the cause and severity of the problem, different treatment options can be adopted:
- the use of a resin splint, a removable appliance that is placed between the two dental arches, nullifying precontacts;
- selective grinding, which consists of filing down the parts of the tooth that prevent proper arch alignment;
- orthodontic treatment, which involves the use of braces that can move teeth until they are aligned in the optimal position;
- surgical treatment, which should be used in those cases where the damage to the joint is particularly severe;
- prosthetic treatment, an avenue that is pursued in cases of missing or definitely damaged teeth.
The three classes of malocclusions
The choice of therapy, as well as the duration of treatment, are very much related to the patient's condition and the evolution of his or her problems. In fact, malocclusions are not all the same; a distinction is usually made between malocclusions of:
- Class I, that is, when the two arches are well aligned, but the teeth do not "fit" properly"; the bite turns out to be only slightly abnormal compared to a correct bite;
- Class II, which is when the upper teeth are found to be much more advanced than the lower teeth; it is a more serious condition than the previous one because the bite is no longer regular;
- Class III, which is when the teeth of the mandibular arch are in front of those of the maxilla; it is the most serious class because it is the one that can cause the most disturbance both functionally and cosmetically.
Those with mild Class I malocclusion may not even notice the problem: usually the presence of these abnormalities is pointed out by the dentist during checkups.
In somewhat more severe cases, on the other hand, it is necessary to intervene by following the therapy that, among those that have been listed above, is best suited to restore proper alignment of the arches.
The importance of Gnathology
People often turn to a gnathology specialist when they experience difficulties with the opening and closing of the mouth. But his or her scope of practice is not limited to such problems.
The gnathologist is also consulted when the patient feels pain in the face and neck (often it is difficult to identify the true cause, but in many cases they are generated by improper occlusion of the teeth), when he or she experiences an occlusion headache, when he or she suffers from bruxism, when there is inadequate coordination between the dynamic components of the temporomandibular joint, and also when he or she feels dizziness.
The medical team at Savasta's office is ready to welcome its patients to follow them on the most suitable treatment path to restore proper function of the masticatory system and eliminate disorders related to malocclusions.
