Oral Health Care & Prevention: Malocclusion

Malocclusion

Malocclusion refers to the misalignment of the teeth that can potentially lead to serious oral health issues. Ideally, your teeth should fit evenly in your mouth without any issues of crowing, twisting, rotation or spacing. The teeth of the upper jaw should slightly overlap the teeth in your lower jaw such that your molars fit each other with the pointed ridges and the corresponding groves of the opposing molar.

Any deviations from these standards are known as Malocclusion. The alignment of the upper teeth are important to the prevention of the cheeks or lips being bitten while that of the lower teeth are important to prevent the tongue from being bitten.

Malocclusion is usually caused by hereditary factors. Other causes of Malocclusion include:

• Regular use of a pacifier after the age of 3
• Bottle feeding after early childhood
• Thumb sucking in early childhood
• Injury
• Impacted or abnormally shaped teeth
• Tumors of the mouth or Jaw

Our Location

Infinite Smiles DC
1145 19th St. NW #508
Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202) 849-3626
New Patients: (202) 568-6968
After Hours: (202) 826-7000
Fax: (202) 849-3598

 Office Hours

Mon: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tues: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wed: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thurs: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Fri: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sat: By Appointment

After hour & weekend
appointments available