Dental Encyclopedia · Orthodontics
Malocclusion
Malocclusion
Malocclusion refers to a state in which the way the upper and lower teeth meet, or the alignment of the teeth, departs from the normal range. It is known to appear in various forms such as crowding, spacing, protrusion and crossbite.
In plain terms
Put simply, it is a state in which the teeth are not neatly aligned or the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly. Crooked or protruding teeth, or upper and lower teeth that touch out of line, fall into this category.
Malocclusion is known to arise from a number of causes, including genetic factors, childhood habits (thumb sucking, mouth breathing) and early loss of baby teeth. It can affect not only appearance but also pronunciation, chewing and oral hygiene care.
Depending on the alignment of the teeth and the way they meet, orthodontic treatment (clear aligners, ceramic or metal braces) or, where necessary, another approach is considered. The direction of treatment is decided after identifying the cause and the type through detailed examination (CT, model analysis).
Related treatments
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
- Q. Does malocclusion have to be corrected?
- It is known that there are cases where improvement is recommended, not only for aesthetic reasons but also because malocclusion can affect the bite, pronunciation and oral hygiene. However, the necessity and the method of treatment differ with the type, the degree and the age, so we advise you after detailed examination.
This entry is for general information. Diagnosis and treatment depend on individual conditions.