Understanding Malocclusion and Teeth Alignment
Malocclusion is a term used by dentists when a person's teeth do not line up correctly. Most people know this as having crooked teeth or a "bad bite." This can happen because of a person's genes or habits when they were young, like sucking their thumb.
There are three main types:
Class 1: The teeth generally line up, but some might be crowded or spaced too far apart.
Class 2: The upper teeth stick out much further than the lower teeth. This is often called an overbite.
Class 3: The lower teeth stick out further than the upper teeth, which is called an underbite.
Fixing these issues usually involves braces or clear plastic aligners. If the problem is very severe and involves the jaw bone, surgery might be needed to move the jaw into a better position.