A misalignment of your bite is called a malocclusion. In many instances, they do not cause many issues, except for how they affect your appearance. At other times, they may cause discomfort, but we can treat the malocclusion to help you remove the discomfort.
A malocclusion may give rise to discomfort in your jaws. Sometimes, this discomfort can extend beyond to other areas of your face. In this case, the malocclusion may be putting strain on the temporomandibular joint, also known as the TMJ. The TMJ is the place where the upper and lower jaws hinge, so if either gets misaligned, the TMJ may protest.
A malocclusion can also cause your teeth to come into contact in a way they really should not. The teeth may rub against each other, which can wear down the hard surface of your teeth known as the enamel. One of the purposes of the enamel is to protect the inner layers of the tooth from decay. Without it, tooth decay can get to those inner layers more easily.
Now, this is not all that can happen with a malocclusion. Also, these conditions occur mostly with extreme malocclusions and not mild cases.
If you do have difficulty because of a malocclusion, we can treat it here at Liang Orthodontics in Washington, DC. Whether you feel discomfort or just want a nice smile, our orthodontists, Drs. Liang and Liang, can bring your jaws into their proper alignment. In order to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 202-966-7711.