Correction of Dentofacial Deformities at Ocean Clinic Marbella

Ocean Clinic Marbella is one of the few private cosmetic clinics on the Costa del Sol with a dedicated Oral Maxillofacial Unit, treating dentofacial deformities and defects.

Dentofacial deformities are genetic conditions in which the upper or lower jaws are out of proportion with the rest of the face and head. They can also be caused by birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, by facial cysts and tumours, impacted teeth and by facial trauma.

These conditions can cause both aesthetic and functional problems for patients, preventing them from chewing or biting properly and in some instances causing speech impediments or breathing difficulties. Working in conjunction with specialist orthodontists, surgery can be performed on the jaws and other facial bones to correct these issues and create a pleasing aesthetic appearance.

Here are some common dentofacial deformities that can be treated with oral maxillofacial surgery where orthodontics alone have been unable to correct the problem:

Overbite

Overbite is a condition in which the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth. Most people have some degree of overbite but if your upper front teeth cover your lower front teeth by more than 25% it can become problematic, causing unhealthy teeth wearing, aesthetic concerns, and in some instances even jaw pain.

An excessive overbite, also know as a Class II malocclusion, can be caused by excessive maxillary growth (where the upper jaw grows too much) or deficient mandibular growth (where the lower jaw has not grown enough).

Underbite

Underbite is a condition in which the lower front teeth overlap and partially cover the upper front teeth. Also known as a negative overjet or a Class III malocclusion, it can be caused by deficient maxillary growth or excessive mandibular growth.

An underbite can affect your ability to chew properly and speak clearly. It can cause jaw and joint pain, headaches, earaches, the excessive wear of tooth enamel, and tooth decay.

Openbite

Openbite is a condition in which often some teeth are unable to make physical contact with the opposing teeth for a proper bite.

Most often caused by a genetic abnormal jaw structure, an openbite can cause poor or painful chewing, speech impairment and, in some cases, temporomandibular joint disorder, resulting in pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.

Occlusal cant (facial asymmetry)

Occlusal cant occurs when the teeth appear to be slanted relative to the nose and lips. Generally occlusal cants are caused by asymmetries within the jaw (unequal ramus lengths).

While subtle facial asymmetries are quite normal, obvious occlusal cants can cause significant bite problems and negatively impair a person’s appearance.  

Gummy smile

A gummy smile is one which has too much gingival display in relation to the lip. This threshold is deemed to be anything in excess of 2-4 mm of visible gum. The condition can be caused by excessive vertical growth of the upper jaw leading to a bulging protrusion within the gum tissue.

The problem is primarily aesthetic, but you may also have an uncomfortable or improper bite that could ultimately affect your long-term oral health.

Oral Maxillofacial surgery can realign the jaws to restore facial harmony, improving both your bite and your appearance. For more information, or to arrange an assessment contact Ocean Clinic Marbella.