Malocclusion is the improper positioning of the teeth and jaws. It is a misalignment problem that can lead to serious oral health complications. It’s also known as: crowded teeth; crossbite; overbite; underbite; and open bite.

Both heredity and environmental factors can play a role in developing malocclusions. The shape and size of the face, jaws and teeth are determined mostly by inheritance. It can also be acquired: from habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, premature loss of teeth from an accident or dental disease, or medical conditions such as enlarged tonsils and adenoids that lead to mouth breathing.

Occlusion is a term that is used to refer to the alignment of your teeth. Ideally, your teeth should fit easily within your mouth without any crowding or spacing issues. Alignment of upper teeth is needed to prevent the cheeks and lips from being bitten, while alignment of lower teeth is needed to protect the tongue from being bitten.

Malocclusion of teeth is typically diagnosed through routine dental exams. Your dentist will examine your teeth and may perform dental X-rays to determine if your teeth are properly aligned. If malocclusion is detected, it will be classified by its type and severity. There are three major classes of malocclusion:

Class 1 malocclusion is diagnosed when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. In this type of malocclusion, the bite is normal and the overlap is slight. Class 1 malocclusion is the most common classification of malocclusion.

Class 2 malocclusion is diagnosed when a severe overbite is present. This condition means that the upper teeth and jaw significantly overlap the lower jaw and teeth.

Class 3 malocclusion is also diagnosed when there’s a severe underbite. This condition means that the lower jaw protrudes forward. This causes the lower teeth to overlap the upper teeth and jaw.

Preventing the disorder can be difficult because most cases of malocclusion are hereditary. Parents of children should limit pacifier and bottle use to help reduce changes in the development of the jaw. Early detection of malocclusion may help cut down on the length (and severity) of the treatment needed to correct the problem.

Most children with mild malocclusion will not require any treatment. However, a pediatric dentist may refer the child to an orthodontist if the malocclusion is severe. Depending on the type of malocclusion, the orthodontist may recommend various treatments. These can include: braces to correct the position of the teeth; removal of teeth to correct overcrowding; surgery to reshape or shorten the jaw; wires or plates to stabilize the jaw bone.

Exercise 4.7. Insert the missing words from text B:

Class 1 malocclusion; malocclusion; braces; hereditary; occlusion; routine dental exams; Class 2 malocclusion; Class 3 malocclusion; pacifier and bottle use.

1)  …. is the improper positioning of the teeth and jaws. 2)  …. is a term that is used to refer to the alignment of your teeth. 3) Malocclusion of teeth is typically diagnosed through …. . 4) …. is diagnosed when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. 5) …. is diagnosed when a severe overbite is present. 6)  …. is also diagnosed when there’s a severe underbite. 7) Preventing the disorder can be difficult because most cases of malocclusion are …. . 8) Parents of children should limit …. to help reduce changes in the development of the jaw. 9) The orthodontist may recommend …. to correct the position of the teeth.

Exercise 4.8. Answer the questions:

1) What is malocclusion? 2) What common types of malocclusion are known? 3) What factors can play a role in developing malocclusions? 4) What environmental factors lead to malocclusion? 5) What is occlusion? 6) Why is alignment of upper teeth needed? 7) Why is alignment of lower teeth needed? 8) How is malocclusion of teeth typically diagnosed? 9) How is Class 1 malocclusion diagnosed? 10) How is Class 2 malocclusion diagnosed? 11) How is Class 3 malocclusion diagnosed? 12) What may be recommended to treat malocclusions?

Exercise 4.9. Choose any of the oral structure anomalies to dwell on. Speak on the frequency of its occurrence, predisposing factors, possible complications and prognosis.

Additional Reading

Exercise 4.10. Read the text “What is malocclusion?” and answer the questions:

What is malocclusion?

What causes malocclusion?

What are the symptoms?

What is malocclusion?

Malocclusion means having crooked teeth or a "poor bite." Bite refers to the way the upper and lower teeth line up. In a normal bite, the upper teeth sit slightly forward of the lower teeth. Very few people have a perfect bite.

Most of the time, malocclusion is a cosmetic problem, which means that people don't like the way their teeth look. But it can also have a serious impact on self-esteem. Plus, crooked teeth can be hard to take care of, which may lead to tooth decay or tooth loss. When malocclusion is severe, it can even cause problems with eating or speaking.

Orthodontic treatment can correct the way teeth and jaws line up, and that may help a person feel better about his or her appearance. Dentists who are specially trained to correct malocclusion are called orthodontists. They use a variety of tools and techniques to move teeth, and sometimes the jaw, into the right position.

Malocclusion is usually caused by problems with the shape or size of the jaw or teeth. A common cause is having too much or too little room in the jaw. If a child's jaw is small, the teeth may grow in crowded or crooked. If there's too much space in the jaw, the teeth may drift out of place.

Other causes of malocclusion include thumb-sucking, pacifier use, and tooth loss. Long-term mouth breathing seems to be linked to malocclusion too, but how isn't exactly clear.

The most obvious sign is teeth that are crooked or stick out. But there are many different types of malocclusion. For example, some people have buck teeth (called an overjet). This means that the upper front teeth are pushed outward. Some people have an underbite. Their lower front teeth sit farther forward than their upper front teeth.