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In many cases, a malocclusion occurs due to genetic factors, making it challenging to prevent.
However, attending regular dental appointments can help your dentist identify early signs and treat the condition before it worsens.
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Last Reviewed 30 August 2025
Medically reviewed by Dr Joyti Vasudev, Consultant Orthodontist, Dental Team
Malocclusion (Misaligned Bite): Definition & Orthodontic Treatment
Table Contents
Table Contents:
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Malocclusion Explained By Dr Joyti Vasudev
Malocclusion is a misalignment of the teeth, and it can cause a range of dental issues, including discomfort, facial aesthetic issues, and other complications.
Luckily, there are ways to treat malocclusion, and our orthodontic team offers a variety of orthodontic treatments that restore oral function.
Please get in touch with us today to book your free consultation.
What is a Malocclusion?
Malocclusion is the dental term for a misalignment of the teeth and/or jaws.
Some malocclusion cases are mild and don't cause any dental issues other than minor aesthetic effects, but more severe cases can lead to long-term complications.
The condition is often hereditary, but certain behaviours like the prolonged usage of dummies and thumb sucking can increase the risks.
Other causes may include bad oral hygiene and the premature loss of baby teeth.
Most malocclusions are highly treatable, but the type of treatment we recommend depends on the severity of your misalignment.
How Common Is A Malocclusion?
Malocclusion is a common condition, impacting up to 93% of adults and children.
People with minor misaligned teeth might not even know they have a malocclusion, as it may not cause any symptoms.
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Malocclusion (Before & After)
Symptoms of a Malocclusion
The symptoms of a malocclusion range from mild to severe, with the most common including:
Misaligned Teeth: The teeth may stick out, have a crooked appearance, uneven spacing, or you might notice crowding.
Speech Issues: Some people with misalignments may develop a lisp or struggle pronouncing certain words.
Tooth Decay: As misaligned teeth can make maintaining oral hygiene harder, the risks of tooth decay and gum disease are higher.
Jaw Pain: Many people with an improper bite experience jaw pain and headaches.
Problems Chewing: You may also have issues chewing certain foods and frequently bite the insides of your cheeks.
Appearance Issues: Severe bite issues can also impact your facial appearance and profile.
Mouth Breathing: If you struggle to close your lips fully, it increases the risks of mouth breathing and snoring.
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Causes of Malocclusion By Dr Joyti Vasudev
What Are the Main Causes of Malocclusion?
The causes of a malocclusion can generally be classed into two categories: genetic or environmental.
Genetic factors can include a family history of misalignments, how the face develops, and jaw development issues, which are influenced by a person's genes.
However, there can also be environmental causes, including:
Habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting during childhood
Early loss of primary/baby teeth
Incorrect management of the bite with previous treatment
Jaw fractures that didn't heal correctly
A combination of the above factors
The Types of Malocclusions
There are many malocclusions, each with a Class I, II, or III category, depending on the relationship between your upper and lower front and back teeth.
Types of Malocclusions | Description |
|---|---|
Dental Crowding | Dental crowding occurs when there isn't enough space in the mouth for all your teeth. It often begins at an early age and affects the front and back teeth. Crowding can happen when there's a mismatch in teeth and jaw size, or if the person loses their baby teeth early. |
Excess Overbite | Excess overbites are when a person's top front teeth vertically overlap the lower teeth to a high degree. When this happens, it can cause a range of symptoms, including jaw pain, wear to the lower teeth, sensitive teeth, chewing problems, and TMJ disorders. |
Excessive Overjet | Many people confuse overbites and overjets, but the two are different. The teeth stick out with an overjet and often point at an angle. Also known as “buck teeth”, overjets can cause aesthetic issues, such as mouth breathing, and increase the risk of injuries to the front teeth. |
Crossbite | Crossbites are when the top teeth are too far inwards or the bottom teeth are too far outwards, causing the teeth to meet the wrong way round. The mismatch between the width of the upper jaw and lower jaw can cause headaches and jaw pain due to the additional stress on the muscles. |
Underbite | Underbites are less common than overbites, but they can still cause a range of issues. The condition occurs when the lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth, and may be caused by a tooth or jaw issue. Dentists assess the size of the underbite to determine the main cause. |
Open Bite | Open bites happen when the upper and lower (maxillary and mandibular) teeth don't touch. It can impact the front and back teeth, and people may develop lisps or speaking problems. The excess stress on the jaws can also cause long-term pain. |
Gaps in the Teeth | Spaces in the teeth may range from mild to severe, depending on the size of your teeth. However, large gaps may indicate that a tooth might be stuck in your jaw or that you have missing teeth. |
How Is Malocclusion Diagnosed And Treated?
If you notice any issues with your upper and lower teeth, you can book a free consultation with us at The Modern Dentist.
Once we assess your oral condition, we'll determine which treatment you may need.
1: Diagnosis
A specialist orthodontist will conduct a thorough assessment of your face shape and take measurements of your jaws and teeth.
They might also take dental X-rays, photographs and scans, to evaluate your bite and diagnose malocclusion issues.
2: Treatment Planning
Our dentists offer customised treatments to ensure the best possible results.
Once we know the type of malocclusion you have, we'll recommend an orthodontic treatment.
In some cases, the dentist might recommend tooth extraction to create space - but only when it's absolutely necessary.
3: Orthodontic Malocclusion Treatment
In some cases, you may need only one brace, but the orthodontist may recommend combined treatments to ensure the best possible results.
The braces we use to treat malocclusion include clear aligners and fixed braces (ceramic braces or metal braces).
In severe cases, your orthodontist may recommend corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) to fix any skeletal issues and ensure the braces have the best chance of working.
4: Ongoing Support
When you have malocclusion treated by The Modern Dentist, we'll arrange regular check-ups to assess whether the treatment is working and provide ongoing advice regarding oral hygiene.
Book Your Free Consultation!
If you're experiencing issues with your upper or lower teeth, please get in touch today for a free consultation.
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Take A Look At Our Beautiful Shoreditch Clinic
Medically reviewed by Dr Joyti Vasudev
Consultant Orthodontist, Dental Team
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