Many parents take their children to see a dentist when they notice issues like buck teeth, underbites, or deep bites. Often, dentists will diagnose them with "narrow dental arch." So, what exactly is narrow dental arch, and what oral issues can it lead to in children?
What is narrow dental arch?
The width of our upper and lower jawbones largely determines the size of the upper and lower dental arches. Normally, the upper dental arch should be larger than the lower one. Therefore, in a normal bite, the upper teeth should overlap the lower teeth. However, when the upper jaw develops poorly, it can lead to a narrow upper dental arch, resulting in insufficient space for permanent teeth to emerge and causing various bite issues.
What causes narrow dental arch?
The causes of narrow dental arch can be divided into congenital and acquired factors.
Congenital factors:In addition to genetic inheritance, the development of the fetus can be affected during pregnancy, or compression during childbirth can lead to pressure on the jawbones, causing the dental arch to narrow.
Acquired factors:Children who breathe through their mouths due to allergies or nasal congestion may experience prolonged pressure on their teeth from the muscles of their cheeks, which can push the teeth inward. This can lead to a narrow upper dental arch. Habits like thumb-sucking or prolonged use of pacifiers during early childhood can also affect jaw development, contributing to a narrower dental arch.
What oral issues accompany narrow dental arch?
- Crowding of Teeth:A narrow dental arch provides insufficient space for permanent teeth to emerge, leading to crowding. This makes dental hygiene difficult, increasing the risk of plaque buildup, cavities, and periodontal disease.
- Malocclusion:A narrow upper jaw can restrict the growth potential of the lower jaw, preventing improvement in cases of retrognathism (a condition where the lower jaw is positioned further back). Conversely, in patients with prognathism (where the lower jaw protrudes), a narrow upper jaw does not inhibit the growth of the lower jaw, increasing the likelihood of developing a "reverse bite."
- Chewing Function Impact:When the upper dental arch is too narrow, it creates a mismatch in jaw width, leading to bite interference that affects chewing function.
- Facial Shape:Prolonged mouth breathing due to a narrow dental arch can cause the upper front teeth to protrude. Over time, this can affect the overall facial development and appearance.
Seizing the Golden Period for Orthodontic Treatment in Children
As we can see, narrow dental arch can lead to many problems, significantly impacting a child's future oral and jaw development. Currently, there are various orthodontic devices that can effectively expand the dental arch for children. However, it is crucial to seize the golden developmental period to achieve effective results. If this period is missed, treatment effectiveness may diminish as skeletal growth slows or stops. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly take children to the dentist for dental evaluations. If necessary, timely treatment can be provided during this critical period, which can have lasting positive effects.
(If you are interested in knowing different methods for expanding dental arches, stay tuned for next month's article update)
