The dental arch is a term commonly used in dental offices, and you may have encountered it during your dental visits. So, what is it, and why is it important to us? Today, we are going to talk about it.
What is Dental Arch?
The dental arch is all your teeth on one jaw, either the upper or lower jaw. Besides, it’s called a dental arch because the teeth are arranged in a curved shape, resembling a horseshoe or U-shape.
We have two dental arches,
- The top jaw, known as upper dental arch
- The lower one is known as the lower dental arch.
Types of Dental Arches
Not all humans are the same, nor are their dental arches. We divide them into various types based on their shapes. Their shapes, in turn, influence the size of the arch and the positioning of the teeth.
- Ovoid: This is a round or U-shaped arch.
- Tapering: V-shaped arch with back wider than front
- Squared: Square-shaped arch
Importance of Dental Arch for Oral Health
Each upper and lower full arch is responsible for maintaining your oral health. Some of the reasons why it’s important are;
- Your set of teeth is what makes your bite. Bite is how your upper and lower teeth meet each other, and its alignment is important for facial aesthetics and chewing food.
- Your arch shape decides how your lips will meet each other as well. This is how they influence your facial appearance.
- Upper and lower dental arches influence your speech by affecting how you form words and sounds.
- A well-aligned arch helps to accommodate a full set of teeth effectively. Consequently, if there is no adequate space available, it will result in malocclusion
Common Problems Associated with Them:
Commonly associated problems include
- Crooked teeth
- Spaced or missing teeth
- Overbite or underbite
- Crossbite
- Narrowed arch
- Breathing problems
- Impacted teeth
Treatments Done to Address These Problems:
- Braces: Can be used in the upper or lower jaws to correct all types of malocclusions
- Aligners: These are removable braces used to correct misaligned teeth
- Dental Implants and Dentures: These are used to replace missing teeth. Traditional dentures are now replaced by full-arch dental implants for full-arch restorations
- Palatal Expanders: These are used to expand the narrow upper arch
- Tooth Extraction: Is usually needed for crooked teeth or impacted teeth. Ultimately, in case of misalignment, usually premolars are removed. In addition, incisors, canines, or molars can also be removed in case they are severely misplaced or decayed.
- Jaw Surgery: Alternatively, it can also be done in case of a severe alveolar bone defect.
Conclusions:
The two arches influence your natural teeth and gum health. So, if you suspect any issues with your teeth, visit your dentist today. After all, in dentistry, it’s better to treat these types of problems during your facial and dental development. Therefore, starting early leads to better results.