What is a malocclusion? A malocclusion is a term for any misalignment of the teeth or jaw. Typical examples include overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites.
A malocclusion can arise from a multitude of causes. For some individuals is the effect of a small jaw and too many teeth. Anciently, human jaws were larger. Dietary and genetic changes have changed their size, but the amount of teeth we grow remains the same. Too many teeth can crowd the mouth and initiate a shift in location. Bites can also shift when little children suck their thumbs or pacifiers regularly or even play with the tongues in their mouth. When a kid loses a primary tooth before it’s ready to fall out, this can cause the teeth to alter their position.
The cure for a malocclusion will almost certainly be orthodontics, featuring braces. Your orthodontic plan may also consist of the extraction of certain teeth and additional or preventative orthodontic appliances like headgear, a space-maintainer, elastics and retainers.
If you have any queries about your malocclusion, the smartest thing to do would be to arrange a consultation with your orthodontist, Dr. Jae Park, at Arizona Orthodontic Centers in Phoenix, Arizona. Just phone our friendly orthodontic staff at 623-877-8500.