Malocclusion sounds a bit scary but it simply means you have a misalignment of the teeth, resulting in crooked teeth or a misaligned bite. In many cases malocclusion can be corrected with braces, aligners or other dental appliances.
Are there different types of malocclusion?
There are a number of different bite issues that can be caused by malocclusion, including overbite, crowded teeth, underbite, crossbite and open bite.
Teeth that are misaligned can lead to difficulties chewing correctly, as well as inhibiting the ability to breathe freely and speak normally.
What causes malocclusion?
Generally, malocclusion is an inherited condition, meaning that in most cases it can’t really be prevented. That said, if the issue is caught early, it can be treated in order to prevent the problem from becoming more severe over time.
Malocclusion can also be the result of certain habits or conditions that may be prevented or curtailed. In many cases malocclusion can be avoided by dealing with the following issues early:
- Jaw injuries resulting in misalignment
- Frequent pacifier use past 3 years of age
- Thumb sucking past 3 years of age
- Tooth loss caused by poor dental hygiene
- Prolonged bottle feeding