Malocclusion Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Malocclusion Overview Malocclusion, also termed as bad bite, is one of the most common dental conditions. This condition involves the misalignment of the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed. Typically, malocclusion is a consequence of the teeth being too large for the mouth, crooked, or crowded within the jaw; the misalignment of the upper and lower jaws can also lead to this condition. Causes and risk factors Malocclusion has several causes: The teeth are too large relative to the size of the jaw; this leads to the crowding of teeth and disturbs the alignment between the upper and lower jawsThumbsucking in a baby or toddlerDiastema (gaps between teeth) due to missing teeth; this causes other teeth to migrate, causing malocclusion.Hereditary conditions that affect the jaw: these may cause the misalignment of teeth.Tooth grinding (bruxism) has been indicated as a risk factor for malocclusion. Symptoms Malocclusion commonly affects the appearance of an individual, resulting in a noticeable overbite (overjet or retrognathism: the lower teeth are too far behind the upper teeth) or an underbite (the upper front teeth are too far behind the lower front teeth)Difficulties or discomfort while biting correctly (open bite) or chewingMouth breathingSpeech difficulties (rare), such as the presence of a lisp Diagnosis During routine dental checkups, dentists check the alignment of the teeth. Dental X-ray imaging may be performed for understanding the patient’s condition better or making impressions of the teeth. Based on these results, a visit to an orthodontist is recommended for treating malocclusion. Treatment The methods may be used for the treatment of malocclusion:Application of tooth braces: The consistent, gentle tug of the braces on the teeth enables the reshaping of the underlying bone in the tooth socket, which causes a permanent shift in the position of the teeth such that they are aligned correctly.Application of tooth aligners: these clear plastic-based devices gradually reposition the teeth such that they are aligned correctly.Teeth removal: This may be recommended to ease tooth overcrowding.Corrective surgery: The jaw may be surgically repaired to correct inherited/developmental issues or fix jaw fractures that did not heal properly.