Crude metals have been used in order to make crooked teeth straight for thousands of years. Even the ancient Greeks used dental appliances to maintain proper teeth space and alignment. These same dental appliances were used quite successfully to prevent the collapsing of teeth also.
What is a "malocclusion?" That’s the medical term that orthodontists use to describe a bad bite. That can be the result of too many teeth, gaps between teeth, or jaw issues. Two of the most common issues are underbites and overbites.
Misalignment of the upper and lower jaws and or teeth can be associated with decreased chewing efficiency, jaw joint disorders, increased tooth wear, tooth fracture, periodontal trauma, and periodontitis. This is why it is so important to have the necessary treatment in a timely fashion.
In the early 1900s, Edward Angle created a classification system for malocclusions, a system of class rankings that is still used today.
Traditional metal braces are the most affordable of all of the braces types. Plus, many come with cheat-activated arch-wires that work on body heat, enabling quicker, less painful tooth movement than the metal braces of the past. And a colored band option allows you to express yourself!
A misaligned jaw can be detrimental over the long term, as it can result in difficulty chewing, difficulty making certain speech sounds, and clenching and grinding patterns. The best way to fix alignment problems permanently is through braces.