Features

Occlusion refers to how your upper and lower teeth fit together when you bite. Normally, your teeth should sit comfortably in your mouth without severe crowding or large gaps. In addition, most of your teeth should be straight and not heavily rotated or twisted. Other features of a healthy bite include upper teeth sitting slightly in front of your lower teeth and upper molars that fit neatly into the grooves of your lower molars.

In the case of malocclusion, your teeth do not line up as they should. The severity of this condition can vary, and it may affect your ability to bite, chew, speak, or clean your teeth. In some cases, it can also place extra pressure on certain teeth and lead to uneven wear over time.

Causes of Malocclusion

The following are the common causes of malocclusion:

Genetics

You are more likely to develop a misaligned bite if you have a family history of this condition, as jaw shape, tooth size, and tooth alignment can be inherited.

Cleft lip and palate

This condition can affect the formation of your jaw and teeth, which may lead to malocclusion.

Pacifier use after age 3

Long-term use of a pacifier can place pressure on your teeth and jaw, affecting how they develop.

Long-term bottle feeding in early childhood

This can also affect the development of your jaw and the position of your teeth.

Thumb sucking in early childhood

Ongoing thumb sucking can affect tooth alignment by pushing your teeth forward.

Injuries or trauma to the jaw or face

The force from injuries or trauma can change the position of your jaw and the alignment of your teeth.

Tumours in the mouth or jaw

Tumours tend to push your teeth and jaw structures out of alignment as they grow.

Unusually shaped teeth or impacted teeth

Teeth that are shaped differently and those that do not erupt can significantly affect tooth alignment and spacing.

Ill-fitting dental appliances

Poorly fitting fillings, crowns, dentures, or braces can affect your bite.

Airway obstruction and mouth breathing: Ongoing mouth breathing, which is related to certain medical conditions, can affect how your jaw grows and the position of your teeth over time.

Because malocclusion can have many causes, it is recommended that you undergo an early assessment with a dental professional. This helps identify factors that are contributing to a misaligned bite and whether treatment may be recommended for your condition.

Types of Malocclusions

Malocclusions are classified into three major groups:

Class 1: This is characterised by the proper positioning of your upper and lower jaws, but overcrowding or excessive spacing is causing issues.
Class 2: Also known as either an overbite or overjet, this occurs when your upper teeth are positioned too far ahead of the lower teeth.
Class 3: Also known as an underbite, this occurs when your lower teeth are too far forward, often overlapping with your upper front teeth.

Symptoms

You may experience the following symptoms depending on the type of malocclusion you have:

Changes in the appearance of your face
Changes in your speech
Discomfort when chewing or biting
Frequent biting of your inner cheeks or tongue
Improper alignment of your teeth
Mouth breathing

If you have a misaligned bite or are at higher risk for this condition, you can schedule a consultation at Oasis Dental Studio in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Pottsville. The dental team can help determine the root cause of your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment options based on your medical history and overall oral health.

Diagnosis and Tests

To diagnose malocclusion and create a treatment plan that is specific to your needs, the dental team may use the following tests:

Visual examination of your teeth and bite: During this process, the dentist will examine your teeth to check for issues such as crowding, spacing problems, and bite misalignment.
Bite assessment (occlusion check): This involves checking how your upper and lower teeth make contact with each other.
Jaw and facial assessment: This assessment involves checking the position of your jaw and how it moves when you open and close your mouth.
Dental X-rays: This procedure helps the dentist check the position of your teeth below the gum line and the presence of any impacted or missing teeth.
Photographs: These are used to compare changes to your bite and tooth alignment over time.
Dentl impressions or digital scans:A mould (impression) or digital scan creates a detailed model of your teeth, which allows the dentist to measure tooth spacing and assess how your teeth fit together.
Tooth and arch measurements: This involves measuring the tooth and jaw size to determine if they contribute to a misaligned bite.

Once your assessment is complete, the dental team will explain what is causing your malocclusion and recommend the next steps based on your oral health and symptoms. In some cases, they may refer you to a medical professional for further assessment if the malocclusion does not match a clear dental cause. This may help detect other causes, such as airway issues, hormonal conditions that affect growth, or underlying health problems that may influence jaw development.

Management and Treatment

Your treatment plan will depend on what is causing your malocclusion. Some cases only need monitoring, while others may need orthodontic or restorative treatment. Dental professionals may use the following treatments depending on your specific needs:

Fixed braces (metal or ceramic): Brackets and wires are used to move your teeth and change their alignment over time.
Clear aligners (clear braces): They also move your teeth and change their alignment using a series of custom-made trays.
Orthodontic headgear: It is used to guide jaw growth and change bite alignment in children or teenagers.
Tooth extractions: In some cases, one or more teeth may be removed to create space if the teeth are very crowded, allowing the remaining teeth to move into a better position.
Restorative treatments: These include fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers, or implants, depending on your needs.
Jaw surgery: This is recommended in more severe cases where the position of your jaw is the issue.
Space maintainers (for children): If a baby tooth is lost early, a space maintainer can help hold the space open so the adult tooth can erupt in the correct position.
Bite splints or night guards (if grinding is present): This involves the use of a mouthguard to protect your teeth from wear and increased pressure due to excessive teeth grinding or clenching.
Treatment for airway or habit-related causes (when relevant): The dentist may recommend strategies or referrals to address factors contributing to malocclusion, such as mouth breathing or thumb sucking.

Once your assessment is complete, the dental team will explain your treatment options in a detailed and clear manner and recommend a plan based on your bite, oral health, and personal goals. It is important to keep in mind that treating malocclusion takes time, and the length of treatment varies depending on several factors, such as the severity of bite misalignment and your overall oral health.

Prevention

Most cases of malocclusions are hereditary, so they cannot always be prevented. However, some habits and dental issues can affect how the teeth and jaws develop, and taking early action may help reduce the risk of a misaligned bite:

Discourage thumb-sucking and avoid pacifier use past age 3–4.
Encourage early dental visits for children to monitor tooth and jaw development.
Practise good oral hygiene.
Replace missing teeth (if recommended) with options such as dental implants or dental bridges.
Treat tooth decay and dental problems early.
Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleans.

When to See a Dentist or Doctor?

Early assessment can help identify the cause of your malocclusion and whether treatment may be recommended. You should make an appointment if you or your child has any of the following signs and symptoms:

A noticeable change in your bite over time
Cheek or lip biting
Difficulty chewing or biting into food
Jaw pain, clicking, or discomfort when opening and closing the mouth
Large gaps between teeth
Speech problems
Teeth grinding or clenching, especially at night
Teeth that do not meet properly when biting
Teeth that look crowded or overlapping
Uneven wear, chipping, or damage to your teeth

Why Contact Oasis Dental Studio for Malocclusion Issues

If you are concerned about malocclusion or if you are at higher risk for developing this condition, the dental team at Oasis Dental Studio in Oasis Dental Studio’s clinics in Gold Coast (Broadbeach, Palm Beach, Chirn Park, and Ferry Road), Brisbane (West End), Melbourne (Brighton), and Northern NSW (Pottsville) can help you understand what may be causing the issue and its related symptoms, along with the treatment and prevention options specific to your needs. During your consultation, the team will assess your medical history, lifestyle, and other factors to determine what may be contributing to your misaligned bite.

Our clinics are QIP-accredited, which means they are checked against set standards for safe and high-quality care. In addition, this means that the dental team focus on listening to patient concerns, supporting different needs, and improving overall patient care. Furthermore, the team works with Australian dental labs and uses premium materials to support consistent care across all locations.

If treatment is recommended, the dental team can talk you through the options that may suit you, such as braces, fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers, implants, tooth extractions, jaw surgery, bite splints, and treatments that address the underlying cause of malocclusion. They will discuss whether treatment may help your teeth fit together more comfortably, support chewing, and reduce uneven pressure on certain teeth. During this process, you will also have the chance to ask questions to understand what the treatment involves, including the costs, recovery, risks, and aftercare.

More ODS dental symptoms pages:

Medical references for Malocclusion:

Malocclusion (Misaligned Bite): Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention