Malocclusion tends to be associated with children and teenagers in braces. However, they affect adults equally and similarly, they are associated not only with aesthetics, but also with more serious, health-related consequences. They can also impede speech, chewing food and even breathing! Find out what the causes are, and how to treat malocclusion in adults.

Malocclusion in adults - causes

The causes of malocclusion in adults should be traced back to childhood (check out our article: "Crooked teeth in children - causes, prevention and treatment"). These can be congenital defects that were not corrected at an early stage or simple negligence. For example, untreated milk teeth were extracted too early, so that the permanent teeth grew in incorrectly causing further consequences.   

But it's not just 'youth mistakes' and genetics are responsible for malocclusion in adults.

Another, and very common, reason is bad habits such as lip biting or nail biting. Not everyone is aware of this, but these seemingly harmless activities can affect the bite.

So is the failure to replace the gap left by an extracted tooth. This causes not only headaches, chewing problems, but above all crookedness of the remaining teeth, their dissolution and even loss. How important it is to fill the gap left by a tooth we wrote in our article "Missing tooth".  

Ideally, of course, through proper oral hygieneis to prevent its loss. However, if you have had to have a tooth removed we recommend you consider implants. Why? You can find the answer to this question in our article "6 reasons why dental implants in the UK are a good choice".

And what else causes malocclusion in adults? It could be poorly inserted fillings, through which the front teeth can become abraded. Why does this happen? The bite can get worse because the fillings are not placed high enough. This is important because it is the height of the tooth cusps that is of great importance for a correct bite.

The same applies to incorrectly fitted bridges prosthetics and crowns. Here, the consequence will not be an incorrect bite alone - but also headaches or shoulder pain.

The reason malocclusion in adults is also asthma. Here the culprits are the inhalers needed for treatment, which, when used frequently, affect the palate. As a result, it becomes elongated and deepened.

And why treat malocclusion....

The state of your mouth has a direct bearing on the state of your health. Crooked teeth break down faster, which in turn can cause infections, respiratory diseases, joint pain and even heart attacks. We wrote more about this in our article "Decayed teeth a danger to the health of the whole body", so if you are interested in this topic we invite you to read on.

That's not all! As we mentioned crooked teeth spoil faster which exposes you to unnecessary pain and additional expense.

Malocclusion in adults is often also a speech defect and even a facial disfigurement. Then there are the aesthetic considerations and their consequences. People with malocclusion do not always feel confident smiling in company. Read more about the consequences of malocclusion in adults in our text "Crooked teeth - causes and how to get rid of an embarrassing smile". And if you are struggling with a backbite then we recommend the text "Overbite - what it is and how to treat it„.

How to treat malocclusion in adults?

The main treatment for adult malocclusion is the fitting of orthodontic appliances, either fixed or removable (Invisalign). You can read more about orthodontic treatment in our article of the same title "Orthodontic treatment in the UK".

In short, if your dentist recommends that you wear fixed braces You will be able to choose between metal, sapphire and ceramic orthodontics. They differ mainly in the material they are made of but also in the price. You can read more about this in our article "Types of braces in the UK - what to choose".

Whether you wear fixed or removable braces will depend on several factors, including the malocclusion itself. Therefore, it's best to make an appointment to explore your options. And if you are looking for Polish orthodontist in the UK - welcome to our practice.

Braces alone will not always correct a malocclusion in an adult. Surgical treatment may be necessary - for example, in cases where there is a malformation of the jawbone and jaw. Treatment involves repositioning the jaws in the right place. This is dealt with by a maxillofacial surgeon.

How much does a beautiful laugh cost?

Many people do not have their malocclusion removed because they are ashamed to wear braces when they are in their 30s or 40s. This is a very damaging attitude that can affect the health, but also the wellbeing of a particular person.

Currently, adult braces do not make This does not impress anyone, but crooked teeth still do not reflect well on their owner. And if these arguments do not convince you, ask your orthodontist about Invisalign, i.e. clear trays on the teeth.

Another reason for not correcting malocclusion is the high cost of treatment. In our practice, we have found a way around this.

We offer to spread the treatment over 12 interest-free instalments. You can read more about them in our article: "Teeth on credit: dental treatment on hire purchase". Our instalment system is 100% secure and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 619628).

Thus, for example, you will pay £50 a month for metal braces for one arch, and self-lacing porcelain braces with clear brackets will cost £100 a month.

If you want to find out more - contact us.