What is malocclusion?

Also known as: malocclusion of teeth, overbite, underbite, crossbite, crowded teeth.

Occlusion is the medical term that refers to the alignment of the teeth.

Normally the upper teeth should fit over the lower teeth slightly. Malocclusion simply means that the upper teeth of the jaw are irregularity in contact with the lower jaw teeth.

There are a number of types of malocclusion which include an “overbite” or “underbite” or “open bite” or “crossbite” abnormalities. Most children have some mild malocclusion though in some cases it can be quite severe.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM