Solutions for Managing Gum Irritation and Inflammation

Solutions for Managing Gum Irritation and Inflammation

* Maintaining the corrected tooth alignment achieved during braces.

Okay, so your kid's got braces. Awesome! Straight teeth, bright future, the whole shebang. But then you notice the gums. Red, puffy, maybe even a little bleeding. Gum irritation during orthodontics is super common, and honestly, pretty darn annoying for everyone.


The thing is, braces create these little nooks and crannies where bacteria just love to hang out. Even if your child is brushing diligently, it's tough to get every single bit of food and plaque out from around those brackets and wires. Kids may feel mild discomfort when braces are first applied Braces for kids and teens health professional. This build-up irritates the gums, leading to inflammation – that's the redness and swelling you see. Think of it like having a tiny irritant constantly poking at your skin. Eventually, it's going to get angry.


Another factor? Sometimes the braces themselves can rub against the gums, causing direct irritation. Wires can poke, brackets can be a little sharp, and it all adds up. And let's be real, kids aren't always the most gentle when it comes to brushing around their braces. Vigorous brushing can also contribute to gum irritation, even if they're trying to do a good job.


Finally, sometimes, the movement of teeth itself can contribute to gum sensitivity. As teeth shift, they put pressure on the surrounding tissues, including the gums.


So, gum irritation during braces isn't some weird anomaly. It's a perfectly understandable consequence of the orthodontic process. Now, the good news is there are definitely things you can do about it, which is something we'll explore next. The key is to understand why it's happening in the first place so you can tackle it effectively.

Okay, so your kiddo just got braces! That's awesome – a straighter smile is on the way. But let's be real, braces and gums aren't always the best of friends. Food gets trapped, brushing gets trickier, and before you know it, you might be dealing with some gum irritation. That's where good oral hygiene comes in, and it's seriously important.


Think of braces as little magnets for plaque and bacteria. If your child isn't brushing and flossing meticulously, that gunk builds up around the brackets and wires. This can lead to gingivitis, which is basically gum inflammation. You might see redness, swelling, and even some bleeding when they brush. Nobody wants that!


Proper oral hygiene isn't just about brushing twice a day. It's about how they're brushing. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste is key. They need to gently brush around each bracket, making sure to get all the surfaces of the teeth. And flossing? Absolutely essential! Those little floss threaders are lifesavers for getting under the wires. Interdental brushes, those tiny little Christmas tree-shaped brushes, are fantastic for cleaning between teeth and around the brackets as well.


Why all the fuss? Because if gingivitis isn't addressed, it can lead to more serious problems like periodontitis, which can damage the bone and tissues that support the teeth. We definitely don't want that happening to developing mouths.


So, make oral hygiene a fun, daily ritual. Maybe put on some music while they brush, or even brush alongside them. And remember, regular checkups with the orthodontist and dentist are crucial to monitor gum health and catch any problems early. A little extra effort with oral hygiene now will save a lot of potential trouble (and discomfort!) down the road. A healthy mouth with straight teeth – that's the goal!

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* Protecting the investment made in orthodontic treatment.

Okay, so your kiddo's got braces, and their gums are looking a little...angry. We've all been there, right? It's like a mini-battlefield in their mouth, and we need to equip them with the right weapons. That means seriously upping their brushing and flossing game. But not just any brushing and flossing, we're talking "braces-specific" techniques. Forget the quick scrub and a cursory floss; we need to transform them into little dental ninjas.


Think about it: braces are practically magnet for food particles and plaque. And those little critters love to set up camp right along the gumline, causing irritation and inflammation. So, first, the brush. A soft-bristled toothbrush is key – anything too harsh will just further agitate those already sensitive gums. We're talking gentle, circular motions, making sure to get around each bracket, both above and below. It's like giving each brace a little hug with the toothbrush.


Then comes the floss. Oh, the dreaded floss! For braces-wearers, it's a whole different ballgame. Forget just sliding it between the teeth. We need floss threaders – those little plastic helpers that guide the floss behind the archwire. It's a bit fiddly at first, but with practice, they'll become pros. And remember: gently slide the floss up and down the sides of each tooth, right down to the gumline. It's like giving each tooth a mini-massage and dislodging all those hidden invaders.


The key is consistency. Brushing and flossing twice a day, every single day, is non-negotiable. It's like making sure they take their vitamins – it's just part of the daily routine. And don't be afraid to supervise, especially at first. Make it a fun activity, maybe put on some music, and turn it into a team effort. Because a happy, healthy mouth means a happier, more confident kid, braces and all!

* Protecting the investment made in orthodontic treatment.

* Ensuring the long-term stability of the bite and smile.

Okay, so your kiddo's got braces. Awesome for their future smile, but sometimes not so awesome for their gums right now. We're talking about keeping those gums happy and healthy while all that shifting and straightening is happening. And a huge part of that is just plain old, good oral hygiene, but with a little extra oomph because of the braces.


Think of it like this: braces are like tiny little obstacle courses for food and plaque. That means we need to step up our game with the tools we're using. Forget just a regular toothbrush. You want something that can really get in there.


For toothbrushes, look for soft-bristled ones. They're gentler on irritated gums. Some are even specifically designed for braces, with a little indentation in the middle to fit around the brackets. Electric toothbrushes can be a game-changer too! The rotating or vibrating action can really help to loosen plaque and debris from hard-to-reach spots. Just make sure it's got a soft brush head.


Floss is your best friend, even if it feels like your worst enemy sometimes with braces. Pre-threaded flossers are a lifesaver. They're like little floss harps that make it easier to maneuver the floss between teeth and under the wires. Regular floss can work too, but you might want to use a floss threader to get it under the wire. It takes patience, but trust me, it's worth it.


And then there's mouthwash. Look for an antimicrobial mouthwash, especially one recommended by your orthodontist. These can help kill bacteria and reduce inflammation. Fluoride mouthwash is also a good idea to help protect against cavities, since it can be harder to brush effectively with braces.


The key is to make it a routine and to involve your kid in the process! Let them pick out a fun toothbrush or flavored floss (within reason, of course – no candy-flavored floss!). Make it a team effort, and those gums will thank you for it. Talk to your orthodontist, too! They can give you personalized recommendations based on your child's specific needs and the type of braces they have.

* Supporting proper jaw growth and development in younger children.

Okay, so your kiddo just got braces. Exciting times! Straight teeth are on the horizon. But let's be real, those wires and brackets can sometimes wage war on their gums. Gum irritation? Inflammation? Totally normal, but definitely something we want to minimize. A big part of that battle is what goes into their mouth. Think of it as choosing weapons wisely.


We're talking dietary considerations, and it's not about deprivation, it's about smart choices. Forget the hard, sticky, and chewy stuff that's practically designed to snag on brackets and then grind against gums. Hard candies? Nope. Chewy caramels? Absolutely not. Super crunchy apples? Gotta cut them into small, manageable pieces.


Instead, think soft and easy to chew. Yogurt, mashed potatoes, soft-cooked pasta, scrambled eggs, smoothies...these are your allies. Fruits like bananas and berries are great, but maybe avoid things with lots of tiny seeds that can get stuck. Cooked vegetables are a better bet than raw, at least initially.


And it's not just about texture; acidity is a factor too. Super acidic foods and drinks can irritate already sensitive gums. So, limit sugary sodas and citrus juices. Water is your best friend here!


The point is, we want to avoid anything that's going to require a lot of chewing force or that's likely to get lodged around the braces. The less friction and pressure, the happier those gums will be. It's about making mealtimes easier on their mouth and preventing food from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria that can worsen inflammation. A little forethought in meal planning can go a long way in keeping those gums calm and comfortable throughout the braces journey.

* Avoiding the need for future, potentially more extensive, orthodontic intervention.

Dealing with a kid with braces is already a juggling act of orthodontist appointments and food restrictions. Throw in irritated gums, and suddenly you're navigating a whole new level of parental challenge. But don't worry, you're not alone, and there are plenty of gentle, home-based solutions to help soothe those inflamed little gums.


Think of it like this: braces are essentially tiny, temporary construction sites in your child's mouth. They create nooks and crannies where food particles can hide, leading to plaque buildup and, you guessed it, irritated gums. So, our first line of defense has to be excellent oral hygiene. Make sure your child is brushing thoroughly after every meal, paying extra attention to cleaning around the brackets and wires. A soft-bristled toothbrush is key here, because harsh brushing will only worsen the irritation.


Beyond brushing, consider warm salt water rinses. It's an oldie but a goodie! The warm water is soothing, and the salt helps to reduce inflammation and fight bacteria. Just a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, swished around for about 30 seconds, can make a world of difference.


If the irritation is particularly bad, you might explore some natural remedies. Chamomile tea, for instance, has anti-inflammatory properties. Brew a cup, let it cool, and have your child rinse with it. The same goes for aloe vera juice. Just make sure it's pure aloe vera juice and not a sugary drink.


For temporary pain relief, you can also try using a cold compress. Wrap an ice pack in a thin cloth and gently apply it to the outside of the cheek near the irritated area. The cold helps to numb the pain and reduce swelling.


Finally, be mindful of your child's diet. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that can further irritate the gums. Opt for soft, easy-to-chew options like yogurt, mashed potatoes, or smoothies. Remember, consistency is key. These home remedies are most effective when used regularly as part of a consistent oral hygiene routine. If the irritation persists or worsens, it's always best to consult with your orthodontist. They can rule out any underlying issues and recommend additional treatments. You've got this!

* Contributing to overall oral health by preventing crowding and misalignment.

Gum inflammation in kids, or gingivitis, is pretty common. We all know how easy it is for little ones to miss spots when brushing, especially when sugary snacks are involved. A little redness and swelling around the gums now and then isn't usually a huge cause for alarm – often, stepping up the brushing and flossing routine at home can do the trick. But what if it's more than just a fleeting thing? When should you start thinking about bringing in the professionals?


Honestly, it's always a good idea to have a baseline established with your child's dentist. Regular checkups will catch minor issues early on. However, if you notice persistent redness that doesn't go away after a week or two of diligent oral hygiene, that's a red flag. Bleeding gums, even with gentle brushing, are another signal that things might be more serious than a simple oversight in their cleaning habits. Bad breath that just won't quit, despite brushing, can also point to underlying inflammation.


Sometimes, the inflammation might be caused by something other than plaque buildup. If your child has braces, the brackets and wires can irritate the gums, making it harder to clean effectively. In these cases, an orthodontist might need to adjust the braces or recommend special cleaning tools. In rare instances, gum inflammation can be linked to underlying medical conditions or certain medications.


Ultimately, trust your gut. If you're concerned about your child's gums, it's always best to err on the side of caution. A quick call to your dentist or orthodontist can put your mind at ease and, if necessary, get your child the professional care they need to keep their smile healthy and bright. Early intervention is key when it comes to gum health, so don't hesitate to reach out!

Okay, so your kiddo's got braces, and now their gums are a little angry? Totally normal. It's like moving furniture into a house – things are bound to get a little bumped and bruised. But, we don't just leave it like that, right? We fix it up. Same deal with braces. We want happy, healthy gums throughout this whole orthodontic adventure.


Think of preventative measures as building a little gum-fortress. First line of defense? Super diligent oral hygiene. We're talking brushing after every meal (or at least rinsing really well if brushing isn't possible right away) with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Get in all those nooks and crannies around the brackets. Flossing? Non-negotiable. It might be tricky with the wires, but there are floss threaders or specialized orthodontic floss that make it easier to sneak that floss in there and get rid of any food particles that are irritating the gums. Think of it as evicting the little food squatters before they cause trouble.


Then there's diet. Sugary and sticky foods are basically fuel for the bacteria that cause gum inflammation. So, limiting those is a big win. Opt for healthier snacks like fruits and veggies (cut into bite-sized pieces, of course, to protect those brackets!). And don't forget plenty of water to help wash away food debris.


Sometimes, even with our best efforts, gums still get a little irritated. That's where things like saltwater rinses come in. A warm saltwater rinse is like a soothing bath for the gums. It helps reduce inflammation and promotes healing. And if there's a particularly sore spot, orthodontic wax can be a lifesaver. It creates a barrier between the bracket and the gums, preventing further irritation.


Finally, regular check-ups with the orthodontist are crucial. They can spot potential problems early and adjust the braces as needed to minimize pressure and irritation on the gums. They can also give you personalized advice and recommendations based on your child's specific needs. Basically, it's a team effort to keep those gums happy and healthy throughout the whole braces journey.

Crossbite
Unilateral posterior crossbite
Specialty Orthodontics

In dentistry, crossbite is a form of malocclusion where a tooth (or teeth) has a more buccal or lingual position (that is, the tooth is either closer to the cheek or to the tongue) than its corresponding antagonist tooth in the upper or lower dental arch. In other words, crossbite is a lateral misalignment of the dental arches.[1][2]

Anterior crossbite

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Class 1 with anterior crossbite

An anterior crossbite can be referred as negative overjet, and is typical of class III skeletal relations (prognathism).

Primary/mixed dentitions

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An anterior crossbite in a child with baby teeth or mixed dentition may happen due to either dental misalignment or skeletal misalignment. Dental causes may be due to displacement of one or two teeth, where skeletal causes involve either mandibular hyperplasia, maxillary hypoplasia or combination of both.

Dental crossbite

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An anterior crossbite due to dental component involves displacement of either maxillary central or lateral incisors lingual to their original erupting positions. This may happen due to delayed eruption of the primary teeth leading to permanent teeth moving lingual to their primary predecessors. This will lead to anterior crossbite where upon biting, upper teeth are behind the lower front teeth and may involve few or all frontal incisors. In this type of crossbite, the maxillary and mandibular proportions are normal to each other and to the cranial base. Another reason that may lead to a dental crossbite is crowding in the maxillary arch. Permanent teeth will tend to erupt lingual to the primary teeth in presence of crowding. Side-effects caused by dental crossbite can be increased recession on the buccal of lower incisors and higher chance of inflammation in the same area. Another term for an anterior crossbite due to dental interferences is Pseudo Class III Crossbite or Malocclusion.

Single tooth crossbite

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Single tooth crossbites can occur due to uneruption of a primary teeth in a timely manner which causes permanent tooth to erupt in a different eruption pattern which is lingual to the primary tooth.[3] Single tooth crossbites are often fixed by using a finger-spring based appliances.[4][5] This type of spring can be attached to a removable appliance which is used by patient every day to correct the tooth position.

Skeletal crossbite

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An anterior crossbite due to skeletal reasons will involve a deficient maxilla and a more hyperplastic or overgrown mandible. People with this type of crossbite will have dental compensation which involves proclined maxillary incisors and retroclined mandibular incisors. A proper diagnosis can be made by having a person bite into their centric relation will show mandibular incisors ahead of the maxillary incisors, which will show the skeletal discrepancy between the two jaws.[6]

Posterior crossbite

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Bjork defined posterior crossbite as a malocclusion where the buccal cusps of canine, premolar and molar of upper teeth occlude lingually to the buccal cusps of canine, premolar and molar of lower teeth.[7] Posterior crossbite is often correlated to a narrow maxilla and upper dental arch. A posterior crossbite can be unilateral, bilateral, single-tooth or entire segment crossbite. Posterior crossbite has been reported to occur between 7–23% of the population.[8][9] The most common type of posterior crossbite to occur is the unilateral crossbite which occurs in 80% to 97% of the posterior crossbite cases.[10][3] Posterior crossbites also occur most commonly in primary and mixed dentition. This type of crossbite usually presents with a functional shift of the mandible towards the side of the crossbite. Posterior crossbite can occur due to either skeletal, dental or functional abnormalities. One of the common reasons for development of posterior crossbite is the size difference between maxilla and mandible, where maxilla is smaller than mandible.[11] Posterior crossbite can result due to

  • Upper Airway Obstruction where people with "adenoid faces" who have trouble breathing through their nose. They have an open bite malocclusion and present with development of posterior crossbite.[12]
  • Prolong digit or suckling habits which can lead to constriction of maxilla posteriorly[13]
  • Prolong pacifier use (beyond age 4)[13]

Connections with TMD

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Unilateral posterior crossbite

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Unilateral crossbite involves one side of the arch. The most common cause of unilateral crossbite is a narrow maxillary dental arch. This can happen due to habits such as digit sucking, prolonged use of pacifier or upper airway obstruction. Due to the discrepancy between the maxillary and mandibular arch, neuromuscular guidance of the mandible causes mandible to shift towards the side of the crossbite.[14] This is also known as Functional mandibular shift. This shift can become structural if left untreated for a long time during growth, leading to skeletal asymmetries. Unilateral crossbites can present with following features in a child

  • Lower midline deviation[15] to the crossbite side
  • Class 2 Subdivision relationships
  • Temporomandibular disorders [16]

Treatment

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A child with posterior crossbite should be treated immediately if the child shifts their mandible on closing, which is often seen in a unilateral crossbite as mentioned above. The best age to treat a child with crossbite is in their mixed dentition when their palatal sutures have not fused to each other. Palatal expansion allows more space in an arch to relieve crowding and correct posterior crossbite. The correction can include any type of palatal expanders that will expand the palate which resolves the narrow constriction of the maxilla.[9] There are several therapies that can be used to correct a posterior crossbite: braces, 'Z' spring or cantilever spring, quad helix, removable plates, clear aligner therapy, or a Delaire mask. The correct therapy should be decided by the orthodontist depending on the type and severity of the crossbite.

One of the keys in diagnosing the anterior crossbite due to skeletal vs dental causes is diagnosing a CR-CO shift in a patient. An adolescent presenting with anterior crossbite may be positioning their mandible forward into centric occlusion (CO) due to the dental interferences. Thus finding their occlusion in centric relation (CR) is key in diagnosis. For anterior crossbite, if their CO matches their CR then the patient truly has a skeletal component to their crossbite. If the CR shows a less severe class 3 malocclusion or teeth not in anterior crossbite, this may mean that their anterior crossbite results due to dental interferences.[17]

Goal to treat unilateral crossbites should definitely include removal of occlusal interferences and elimination of the functional shift. Treating posterior crossbites early may help prevent the occurrence of Temporomandibular joint pathology.[18]

Unilateral crossbites can also be diagnosed and treated properly by using a Deprogramming splint. This splint has flat occlusal surface which causes the muscles to deprogram themselves and establish new sensory engrams. When the splint is removed, a proper centric relation bite can be diagnosed from the bite.[19]

Self-correction

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Literature states that very few crossbites tend to self-correct which often justify the treatment approach of correcting these bites as early as possible.[9] Only 0–9% of crossbites self-correct. Lindner et al. reported that 50% of crossbites were corrected in 76 four-year-old children.[20]

See also

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  • List of palatal expanders
  • Palatal expansion
  • Malocclusion

References

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  1. ^ "Elsevier: Proffit: Contemporary Orthodontics · Welcome". www.contemporaryorthodontics.com. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  2. ^ Borzabadi-Farahani A, Borzabadi-Farahani A, Eslamipour F (October 2009). "Malocclusion and occlusal traits in an urban Iranian population. An epidemiological study of 11- to 14-year-old children". European Journal of Orthodontics. 31 (5): 477–84. doi:10.1093/ejo/cjp031. PMID 19477970.
  3. ^ a b Kutin, George; Hawes, Roland R. (1969-11-01). "Posterior cross-bites in the deciduous and mixed dentitions". American Journal of Orthodontics. 56 (5): 491–504. doi:10.1016/0002-9416(69)90210-3. PMID 5261162.
  4. ^ Zietsman, S. T.; Visagé, W.; Coetzee, W. J. (2000-11-01). "Palatal finger springs in removable orthodontic appliances--an in vitro study". South African Dental Journal. 55 (11): 621–627. ISSN 1029-4864. PMID 12608226.
  5. ^ Ulusoy, Ayca Tuba; Bodrumlu, Ebru Hazar (2013-01-01). "Management of anterior dental crossbite with removable appliances". Contemporary Clinical Dentistry. 4 (2): 223–226. doi:10.4103/0976-237X.114855. ISSN 0976-237X. PMC 3757887. PMID 24015014.
  6. ^ Al-Hummayani, Fadia M. (2017-03-05). "Pseudo Class III malocclusion". Saudi Medical Journal. 37 (4): 450–456. doi:10.15537/smj.2016.4.13685. ISSN 0379-5284. PMC 4852025. PMID 27052290.
  7. ^ Bjoerk, A.; Krebs, A.; Solow, B. (1964-02-01). "A Method for Epidemiological Registration of Malocculusion". Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 22: 27–41. doi:10.3109/00016356408993963. ISSN 0001-6357. PMID 14158468.
  8. ^ Moyers, Robert E. (1988-01-01). Handbook of orthodontics. Year Book Medical Publishers. ISBN 9780815160038.
  9. ^ a b c Thilander, Birgit; Lennartsson, Bertil (2002-09-01). "A study of children with unilateral posterior crossbite, treated and untreated, in the deciduous dentition--occlusal and skeletal characteristics of significance in predicting the long-term outcome". Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics. 63 (5): 371–383. doi:10.1007/s00056-002-0210-6. ISSN 1434-5293. PMID 12297966. S2CID 21857769.
  10. ^ Thilander, Birgit; Wahlund, Sonja; Lennartsson, Bertil (1984-01-01). "The effect of early interceptive treatment in children with posterior cross-bite". The European Journal of Orthodontics. 6 (1): 25–34. doi:10.1093/ejo/6.1.25. ISSN 0141-5387. PMID 6583062.
  11. ^ Allen, David; Rebellato, Joe; Sheats, Rose; Ceron, Ana M. (2003-10-01). "Skeletal and dental contributions to posterior crossbites". The Angle Orthodontist. 73 (5): 515–524. ISSN 0003-3219. PMID 14580018.
  12. ^ Bresolin, D.; Shapiro, P. A.; Shapiro, G. G.; Chapko, M. K.; Dassel, S. (1983-04-01). "Mouth breathing in allergic children: its relationship to dentofacial development". American Journal of Orthodontics. 83 (4): 334–340. doi:10.1016/0002-9416(83)90229-4. ISSN 0002-9416. PMID 6573147.
  13. ^ a b Ogaard, B.; Larsson, E.; Lindsten, R. (1994-08-01). "The effect of sucking habits, cohort, sex, intercanine arch widths, and breast or bottle feeding on posterior crossbite in Norwegian and Swedish 3-year-old children". American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 106 (2): 161–166. doi:10.1016/S0889-5406(94)70034-6. ISSN 0889-5406. PMID 8059752.
  14. ^ Piancino, Maria Grazia; Kyrkanides, Stephanos (2016-04-18). Understanding Masticatory Function in Unilateral Crossbites. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781118971871.
  15. ^ Brin, Ilana; Ben-Bassat, Yocheved; Blustein, Yoel; Ehrlich, Jacob; Hochman, Nira; Marmary, Yitzhak; Yaffe, Avinoam (1996-02-01). "Skeletal and functional effects of treatment for unilateral posterior crossbite". American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 109 (2): 173–179. doi:10.1016/S0889-5406(96)70178-6. PMID 8638566.
  16. ^ Pullinger, A. G.; Seligman, D. A.; Gornbein, J. A. (1993-06-01). "A multiple logistic regression analysis of the risk and relative odds of temporomandibular disorders as a function of common occlusal features". Journal of Dental Research. 72 (6): 968–979. doi:10.1177/00220345930720061301. ISSN 0022-0345. PMID 8496480. S2CID 25351006.
  17. ^ COSTEA, CARMEN MARIA; BADEA, MÎNDRA EUGENIA; VASILACHE, SORIN; MESAROÅž, MICHAELA (2016-01-01). "Effects of CO-CR discrepancy in daily orthodontic treatment planning". Clujul Medical. 89 (2): 279–286. doi:10.15386/cjmed-538. ISSN 1222-2119. PMC 4849388. PMID 27152081.
  18. ^ Kennedy, David B.; Osepchook, Matthew (2005-09-01). "Unilateral posterior crossbite with mandibular shift: a review". Journal (Canadian Dental Association). 71 (8): 569–573. ISSN 1488-2159. PMID 16202196.
  19. ^ Nielsen, H. J.; Bakke, M.; Blixencrone-Møller, T. (1991-12-01). "[Functional and orthodontic treatment of a patient with an open bite craniomandibular disorder]". Tandlaegebladet. 95 (18): 877–881. ISSN 0039-9353. PMID 1817382.
  20. ^ Lindner, A. (1989-10-01). "Longitudinal study on the effect of early interceptive treatment in 4-year-old children with unilateral cross-bite". Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research. 97 (5): 432–438. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0722.1989.tb01457.x. ISSN 0029-845X. PMID 2617141.
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This article is about the anatomical part. For the mountain, see The Jaw. For other uses, see Jaws (disambiguation) and Jawbone (disambiguation).
Human lower jaw viewed from the left

The jaws are a pair of opposable articulated structures at the entrance of the mouth, typically used for grasping and manipulating food. The term jaws is also broadly applied to the whole of the structures constituting the vault of the mouth and serving to open and close it and is part of the body plan of humans and most animals.

Arthropods

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Further information: Mandible (arthropod mouthpart) and Mandible (insect mouthpart)
The mandibles of a bull ant

In arthropods, the jaws are chitinous and oppose laterally, and may consist of mandibles or chelicerae. These jaws are often composed of numerous mouthparts. Their function is fundamentally for food acquisition, conveyance to the mouth, and/or initial processing (mastication or chewing). Many mouthparts and associate structures (such as pedipalps) are modified legs.

Vertebrates

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In most vertebrates, the jaws are bony or cartilaginous and oppose vertically, comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The vertebrate jaw is derived from the most anterior two pharyngeal arches supporting the gills, and usually bears numerous teeth.

Jaws of a great white shark

Fish

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Moray eels have two sets of jaws: the oral jaws that capture prey and the pharyngeal jaws that advance into the mouth and move prey from the oral jaws to the esophagus for swallowing.
Main article: Fish jaw

The vertebrate jaw probably originally evolved in the Silurian period and appeared in the Placoderm fish which further diversified in the Devonian. The two most anterior pharyngeal arches are thought to have become the jaw itself and the hyoid arch, respectively. The hyoid system suspends the jaw from the braincase of the skull, permitting great mobility of the jaws. While there is no fossil evidence directly to support this theory, it makes sense in light of the numbers of pharyngeal arches that are visible in extant jawed vertebrates (the Gnathostomes), which have seven arches, and primitive jawless vertebrates (the Agnatha), which have nine.

The original selective advantage offered by the jaw may not be related to feeding, but rather to increased respiration efficiency.[1] The jaws were used in the buccal pump (observable in modern fish and amphibians) that pumps water across the gills of fish or air into the lungs in the case of amphibians. Over evolutionary time the more familiar use of jaws (to humans), in feeding, was selected for and became a very important function in vertebrates. Many teleost fish have substantially modified jaws for suction feeding and jaw protrusion, resulting in highly complex jaws with dozens of bones involved.[2]

Amphibians, reptiles, and birds

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The jaw in tetrapods is substantially simplified compared to fish. Most of the upper jaw bones (premaxilla, maxilla, jugal, quadratojugal, and quadrate) have been fused to the braincase, while the lower jaw bones (dentary, splenial, angular, surangular, and articular) have been fused together into a unit called the mandible. The jaw articulates via a hinge joint between the quadrate and articular. The jaws of tetrapods exhibit varying degrees of mobility between jaw bones. Some species have jaw bones completely fused, while others may have joints allowing for mobility of the dentary, quadrate, or maxilla. The snake skull shows the greatest degree of cranial kinesis, which allows the snake to swallow large prey items.

Mammals

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In mammals, the jaws are made up of the mandible (lower jaw) and the maxilla (upper jaw). In the ape, there is a reinforcement to the lower jaw bone called the simian shelf. In the evolution of the mammalian jaw, two of the bones of the jaw structure (the articular bone of the lower jaw, and quadrate) were reduced in size and incorporated into the ear, while many others have been fused together.[3] As a result, mammals show little or no cranial kinesis, and the mandible is attached to the temporal bone by the temporomandibular joints. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a common disorder of these joints, characterized by pain, clicking and limitation of mandibular movement.[4] Especially in the therian mammal, the premaxilla that constituted the anterior tip of the upper jaw in reptiles has reduced in size; and most of the mesenchyme at the ancestral upper jaw tip has become a protruded mammalian nose.[5]

Sea urchins

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Sea urchins possess unique jaws which display five-part symmetry, termed the Aristotle's lantern. Each unit of the jaw holds a single, perpetually growing tooth composed of crystalline calcium carbonate.

See also

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  • Muscles of mastication
  • Otofacial syndrome
  • Predentary
  • Prognathism
  • Rostral bone

References

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  1. ^ Smith, M.M.; Coates, M.I. (2000). "10. Evolutionary origins of teeth and jaws: developmental models and phylogenetic patterns". In Teaford, Mark F.; Smith, Moya Meredith; Ferguson, Mark W.J. (eds.). Development, function and evolution of teeth. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 145. ISBN 978-0-521-57011-4.
  2. ^ Anderson, Philip S.L; Westneat, Mark (28 November 2006). "Feeding mechanics and bite force modelling of the skull of Dunkleosteus terrelli, an ancient apex predator". Biology Letters. pp. 77–80. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2006.0569. PMC 2373817. PMID 17443970. cite web: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  3. ^ Allin EF (December 1975). "Evolution of the mammalian middle ear". J. Morphol. 147 (4): 403–37. doi:10.1002/jmor.1051470404. PMID 1202224. S2CID 25886311.
  4. ^ Wright, Edward F. (2010). Manual of temporomandibular disorders (2nd ed.). Ames, Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-8138-1324-0.
  5. ^ Higashiyama, Hiroki; Koyabu, Daisuke; Hirasawa, Tatsuya; Werneburg, Ingmar; Kuratani, Shigeru; Kurihara, Hiroki (November 2, 2021). "Mammalian face as an evolutionary novelty". PNAS. 118 (44): e2111876118. Bibcode:2021PNAS..11811876H. doi:10.1073/pnas.2111876118. PMC 8673075. PMID 34716275.
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  • Media related to Jaw bones at Wikimedia Commons
Look up jaw in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
  • Jaw at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)