As of 12/1/2025, our Tracy office will be consolidated to our Livermore location.

What is malocclusion

Posted on 11/21/2022 by Pacific Oral and Facial Surgery Center

One of the most frequent dental issues is malocclusion, sometimes known as "poor bites." When you close your mouth, your upper and lower teeth are misaligned if you have a malocclusion.

Malocclusion occurs when your teeth are crowded; this means they are too large for your mouth or crooked. It can also occur if your upper and lower jaws are mispositioned. Orthodontics or braces are commonly used to address malocclusion. Some more severe malocclusions may necessitate surgery.

Causes of malocclusion

There are various causes of malocclusion which include; your teeth being too big for your jaw, causing them to cluster together, and disrupting the alignment of your upper and lower jaws. It can also be a result of thumb sucking especially when one is still a toddler.

Another cause is due to your remaining teeth adjusting to fit the gap left by the missing tooth. Malocclusion also can be due to an inherited disease that affects your jaw and causes misplaced teeth.

Bruxism which means teeth grinding is also a risk factor for a malocclusion. This can be a result of anxiety, agitation, or irritation.

Signs and symptoms of malocclusion

The most common sign of malocclusion is one's appearance. You could have an obvious underbite which occurs when lower jaw teeth are too far behind upper jaw teeth. When your upper front teeth are too much behind your lower front teeth, you have an underbite.

Other signs and symptoms include painful Biting or chewing which is more difficult, the presence of an open bite which is the inability to bite onto food, Speech problems for instance a lisp which is rare to occur, and breathing through the mouth without closing the lips.

Malocclusion treatment

Malocclusion can be treated by the use of braces to gently align your teeth. The mild, continuous tug of the braces on your teeth reshapes the underlying bone in your tooth socket, causing your teeth to shift permanently. Contact us today to access the best dental care.

Board certified in Oral & Maxillofacial surgery

The surgical specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery requires up to six additional years of hospital based surgical and anesthesia training beyond dental school.

Contact Pacific Oral and Facial Surgery Center Today!

The first step to a healthier, happier you.

Hours:
Monday-Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday 7:00 am - 1:00 pm

LIVERMORE

1133 E. Stanley Blvd. #215 • Livermore, CA 94550
Phone: 925-290-7727 Fax: 925-294-8800
Email: info@pacificofs.com

Request Your
Appointment

Online
New Patient Forms

Learn About
Your First Visit

Read Our
Patient Reviews

Dental Blog – Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center | Oral Surgery Education | Livermore, CA
Read educational articles and updates on oral surgery, dental implants, and facial procedures from Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center in Livermore.
Pacific Oral and Facial Surgery Center, 1133 E Stanley Blvd #215, Livermore, CA 94550 ^ 925-290-7727 ^ pacificofs.com ^ 12/14/2025 ^ Tags: oral surgeon Livermore ^