Understanding Physiologic Bite Openers In Tooth Development
Write short answer on physiologic bite opening.
Answer. According to Schwarz, there are three periods of physiologic bite opening i.e. with eruption of:
- First permanent molars at age of 6 years
- Second permanent molars at age of 12 years
- Third permanent molars at age of 18 years
Eruption of First Permanent Molars
- As first permanent molars erupt, pad of tissue overlying them creates premature contact.
- Proprioceptive responsive conditions the child against biting on natural bite opener and thus the deciduous teeth anterior to fist permanent molar erupt, reducing the overbite.
- The maxillary and mandibular fist molars show different paths of eruption i.e. maxillary buccal and distal while the mandibular is lingual and mesial.
Eruption of Second Permanent Molars
- Eruption of second molar teeth occurs shortly after the appearance of the second premolar.
- Gingival pads overlying second molar contact prematurely again, blocking the open bite anteriorly, allowing the eruption of teeth anterior to second molars. This is second physiologic bite opener.
- The reduction in overbite is minimum and is variable, being greater in some cases and less in others, but it is a phenomenon which occur so frequently that it should be watched.
Eruption of Third Permanent Molars
- Long axis of developing third molar is obliquely directed towards the tongue in midplane at an angle of from 550 to 700.
- This inclination becomes less obtuse between the ages of 12 and 16 years, but occlusal surface is still lingually inclined.
- Since the alveolar process curve lingually at the point of juncture with anterior border of ramus, third molar may frequently have enough room to erupt. These are the third physiologic bite opener.
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