{"id":1588,"date":"2016-01-27T08:00:29","date_gmt":"2016-01-27T08:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ortegaortho.com\/?p=1588"},"modified":"2016-01-27T08:00:29","modified_gmt":"2016-01-27T08:00:29","slug":"malocclusion-and-your-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ortegaortho.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/malocclusion-and-your-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Malocclusion and Your Oral Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, <\/span>occlusion<\/span><\/a> is the relationship between your upper and lower teeth as they come into contact with each other. When you chew, bite, and close your jaw, the contact between your teeth affects your jaw muscles, gums, head, neck, and oral health. Since your jaw alignment affects so many aspects of your overall health, your orthodontist ensures that by the end of your treatment your jaw is aligned and your teeth fit together without causing any unnecessary force in your mouth. Here are the various classes of occlusion that your orthodontist will asses throughout your treatment: <\/span><\/p>\n

Class I Occlusion:<\/b> This class is considered the \u201cideal\u201d occlusal fit and is identified by the lower anterior incisors sitting just behind the upper anterior incisors when biting down.<\/span><\/p>\n

Class II Malocclusion: <\/b>This class is typically considered an overbite and is identified by the lower lower anterior incisors being positioned significantly behind the upper anterior incisors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Class III Malocclusion: <\/b>This class is usually called a crossbite and is identified by the lower anterior incisors being positioned edge to edge with the upper anterior incisors. <\/span><\/p>\n

Although your teeth may appear normal, an offset bite can lead to a series of oral health issues, such as:<\/p>\n