Prevention of Anomalies in the Development of Teeth and Occlusion

Anomaly of dental development is a disturbance in the growth and development of the dental apparatus caused by various etiological factors (local, regional, functional). These factors cause functional disorders that lead to anatomical and clinical features of the evolution of the disease. Prevention of dental anomalies consists of a number of measures to detect and remove etiological factors. In this way, it is possible to provide the growing organism with the best conditions for harmonious development. These activities will establish an anatomical and physiological connection between different elements of the dental apparatus. Preventive measures must be carried out in advance, even in the prenatal period, when the dental apparatus is just growing and differentiating.

Prenatal prevention is a series of activities that are desirable for use by women during pregnancy to achieve optimal conditions for fetal development.

Recommended:

1. A rational nutritional complex with a predominance of dairy and plant components, enriched with vitamins and minerals.
2. Establishing a neuro-endocrine balance with the removal of all factors that can affect the development of the fetus (intrauterine malnutrition, infectious diseases; chronic diseases, poisoning).
3. Prevention of birth pathology with the removal of factors that can lead to injuries to the facial area (use of obstetric instruments).

Postnatal prevention is aimed at reducing morbidity among newborns, infants, preschoolers and schoolchildren. Prevention is carried out using different methods in accordance with the period of development, taking into account various etiological factors that can affect the dentofacial apparatus. It should be noted the relationship between the development of the dental apparatus and the body as a whole.

Prevention is aimed at eliminating common etiological, local and functional factors. By eliminating these factors, the conditions for the development and manifestation of clinical symptoms of anomalies in the development of the dental apparatus are eliminated.

Natural feeding is of great importance in the normal development of the dental apparatus. During artificial feeding, abnormal development of the masticatory muscles occurs, which changes the alveolar arches. To avoid this, bottle feeding should be as close to natural feeding as possible.

General therapeutic measures are aimed at increasing the immunity of the newborn. All diseases that may affect the future development of the dental apparatus must be identified.

In the prevention of anomalies of the dentofacial apparatus, the functional development of the masticatory muscles plays an important role, especially the balance between intra- and extraoral muscles (during the act of chewing and at rest). The muscles of the tongue, orbicularis and buccal muscles influence the development of the upper and lower alveolar processes.

Functional restructuring aims to destroy old bad habits and develop new reflexes that will ensure the normal development of the alveolar-dental apparatus.

1. Reorganization of breathing. Nasal breathing is recommended, which affects the development of the upper jaw in the transverse plane.

2. Restructuring of swallowing in young children. Our role is to help transition young children to adult swallowing.

3. Restructuring slow chewing. It is recommended to use lateral movements while chewing.

4. Rebuilding poor phonetics. During phonetic restructuring, there should be interaction between the dentist and the speech therapist.

5. Elimination of bad habits by persuasion, the use of chemical irritants with an unpleasant odor and taste, and the use of mechanical methods.

In children aged 4-6 years, a diastema (gap between the central incisors) appears. Preventive actions:

1. Introducing solid ingredients into a child’s diet
2. Efficient chewing with maximum load on muscles and teeth
3. Gradual polishing of bowls
4. Extension of lateral dental groups with acrylic applicators in case of malocclusion.