[Dental Health] The main cause of "receding teeth" is genetics! Severe receding teeth may require jawbone correction surgery?
Besides protruding teeth, another noticeable case of misaligned teeth is "reverse overbite." Also known as a protruding lower jaw or underbite, this occurs when the lower teeth protrude more than the upper teeth in a fully clenched position, creating a "round chin" or "moon face." Reverse overbite not only affects facial aesthetics but can also impair normal chewing and speech, and in more severe cases, may obstruct breathing or cause other dental diseases such as tooth wear and periodontal disease. Let a dentist explain the causes and solutions for reverse overbite!
What causes "backward teeth"?
(1) Congenital inheritance
The main causes of receding teeth are mostly due to congenital genes and heredity. If one or both immediate family members have receding teeth, the child's likelihood of having receding teeth also increases. Congenital genes include insufficient development of the maxilla leading to maxillary retrusion, excessive development of the mandible leading to mandibular protrusion, or both maxillary retrusion and mandibular protrusion occurring simultaneously.
(2) Acquired bad habits
Similar to buck teeth, bad oral habits can worsen or cause receding teeth. If children have bad oral habits after the appropriate age, such as prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use, it can also lead to or aggravate acquired receding teeth.
What is the best way to treat "backward teeth"?
Treatment for "inverted teeth" can be broadly divided into two types: surgical treatment and non-surgical treatment.
Minor overbite and teeth in children or adolescents are more easily corrected and can therefore be improved through non-surgical treatment. One of the main methods of common non-surgical treatment is orthodontic treatment, which adjusts the position of teeth to the correct position, restoring the upper teeth to slightly overlap the lower teeth. The advantage of non-surgical treatment is that the process is simple and avoids the risks associated with surgery, but the adjustment time is longer than that of conventional orthodontic treatment.
For older patients or those with severe overbite, jawbone correction surgery may be necessary. The procedure involves the dentist cutting the jawbone, repositioning it, and then fixing it with titanium. This treatment requires a long recovery period and post-operative braces to ensure proper tooth alignment.
When is the ideal time to treat "backward teeth"?
Parents can start looking for any issues with teeth tilting or collapsing as early as when the baby's upper and lower incisors have erupted. It is also best to have the child checked by a dentist when they are seven or eight years old and their permanent incisors have erupted. If any issues with teeth tilting or collapsing are found, further treatment can be provided.
Jawbone-related "receding teeth" may be discovered later in life. Since the lower jaw develops more slowly than the upper jaw, some cases may not be discovered until after puberty.
What are the risks and complications of jawbone correction surgery?
Jawbone correction surgery involves cutting and adjusting the upper and lower jawbones, which may affect nearby nerves. If the stimulation is too severe, it may lead to permanent and irreversible sequelae, such as damage to the lower lip nerve, resulting in loss of sensation in the jaw and lips. However, the probability of such situations is low. According to past statistics, only 10% patients have experienced such sequelae, and it does not affect facial movement or chewing function.
In either case, it is recommended to seek help from a dentist as soon as possible if you discover any problems with your teeth turning backwards or backwards. Early treatment can avoid more complicated procedures.
Author: Dr. Chen Haoxian
