Malocclusion facts for kids

Malocclusion is a fancy word for when your teeth don't line up perfectly. It means your upper and lower teeth don't meet correctly when you close your mouth. Think of it like two puzzle pieces that don't quite fit together.

The word "malocclusion" was first used by Edward Angle, who is known as the "father of modern orthodontics" (that's the branch of dentistry that deals with straightening teeth). The word itself is a combination of two parts: "mal," which means "bad" or "incorrect," and "occlusion," which refers to how your upper and lower teeth meet. So, it literally means "bad bite."

What is Malocclusion?

Malocclusion happens when your upper and lower teeth don't fit together the way they should. Ideally, your upper teeth should slightly overlap your lower teeth, and the points of your molars (back teeth) should fit into the grooves of the opposite molars. When this doesn't happen, it can lead to different types of "bad bites."

Types of Malocclusion

There are several ways your teeth can be misaligned. Here are some common types:

Overbite

An overbite is when your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth too much. A small overlap is normal, but if it's very deep, it can cause problems. Sometimes, the lower teeth might even bite into the roof of your mouth.

Underbite

An underbite is the opposite of an overbite. This happens when your lower front teeth stick out further than your upper front teeth. It can make your chin look more prominent.

Crossbite

A crossbite occurs when some of your upper teeth bite inside your lower teeth. This can happen with your front teeth or your back teeth. For example, an upper molar might bite inside a lower molar instead of outside it.

Open Bite

An open bite means that when you close your mouth, some of your teeth don't touch at all. This can happen with your front teeth, leaving a gap between your upper and lower teeth, or with your back teeth. It can make it hard to bite into certain foods.

Crowding

Crowding happens when there isn't enough space in your jaw for all your teeth to fit properly. This can cause teeth to overlap, twist, or push forward or backward. It often makes teeth look crooked.

Spacing

Spacing is when you have too much space between your teeth, leading to gaps. This can happen if your teeth are too small for your jaw, or if some teeth are missing.

What Causes Malocclusion?

Malocclusion can be caused by many things. Often, it's something you inherit from your parents, like the size of your jaw or the size of your teeth. If your jaw is too small for your teeth, or your teeth are too big for your jaw, malocclusion can happen.

Other things can also contribute:

• Childhood Habits: Habits like prolonged thumb-sucking, pacifier use beyond age three, or tongue thrusting (pushing your tongue against your front teeth when you swallow) can affect how your teeth and jaws develop.
• Early Tooth Loss: If you lose a baby tooth too early, the permanent tooth might not come in correctly, or other teeth might shift into the empty space.
• Accidents or Injuries: A severe injury to your jaw or face can sometimes affect your bite.

Why is Malocclusion Important?

While some types of malocclusion are mostly about how your smile looks, many can cause real problems for your health and comfort.

• Chewing Difficulties: A bad bite can make it hard to chew food properly, which can affect your digestion.
• Speech Problems: Some types of malocclusion can affect how you pronounce certain words, leading to lisps or other speech issues.
• Wear and Tear: When teeth don't meet correctly, some teeth might experience more pressure and wear down faster than others. This can also lead to jaw pain or headaches.
• Oral Hygiene: Crooked or crowded teeth are harder to clean. This can increase your risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Self-Confidence: For many kids and teens, having crooked teeth can affect how they feel about their smile and themselves.

How is Malocclusion Treated?

The good news is that malocclusion can almost always be treated! The main way to fix it is through orthodontics. An orthodontist is a special dentist who focuses on correcting bites and straightening teeth.

Orthodontic Treatment

The most common treatments include:

• Braces: These are the most well-known. Braces use brackets attached to your teeth and wires to gently move them into the correct position over time.
• Clear Aligners: For some cases, clear plastic trays (like Invisalign) can be used to gradually shift teeth. They are custom-made and changed every few weeks.
• Retainers: After braces or aligners, retainers are often used to keep your teeth in their new, correct positions. They can be removable or fixed behind your teeth.
• Other Appliances: Sometimes, special devices like palatal expanders (to widen the upper jaw) or headgear are used, especially for younger patients, to guide jaw growth.

When is Treatment Needed?

Orthodontists usually recommend starting treatment when most of your permanent teeth have come in, often between the ages of 9 and 14. However, some problems are better treated earlier, while the jaw is still growing. Your dentist or orthodontist will let you know the best time for you.

Images for kids

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  Open bite treatment after eight months of braces.

See also

In Spanish: Maloclusión para niños