Tooth misalignment is a misalignment problem that can lead to serious oral health complications....if the teeth are out of alignment, they will not be able to perform vital functions....learn more about this problem and how to treat it to protect your overall oral and digestive health....Occlusion is the term used to align teeth....ideally, your teeth should not be aligned....the teeth should not be rotated or twisted....upper teeth They should be slightly on your lower teeth so that the raised ridges of your molars fit into the grooves of the opposite molars... Deviation from ideal occlusion is known as malocclusion... The type of deviation is different, but any type of deviation can cause problems... Alignment of upper and lower teeth is necessary to prevent the teeth from aligning... Protecting the tongue from biting... What factors cause malocclusion?. Malocclusion is usually a hereditary disease...that is, it can be passed from one generation to another....There are certain conditions or habits that may change the shape and structure of the jaw....These include: - Cleft palate and lip - Frequent use of a pacifier after 3 years old - Long-term use of bottle feeding in early childhood - Thumb sucking in early childhood - Injuries that lead to jaw disharmony - Tumor in the mouth or jaw Abnormally shaped or hidden teeth - Poor dental care leading to inappropriate fillings, crowns or braces.. - Airway obstruction (mouth breathing) potentially caused by allergies or enlarged adenoids or tonsils.. What are the symptoms of malocclusion?. Depending on the classification, the symptoms of this disorder may be mild or severe... Common symptoms include: Improper alignment of teeth - Change in facial appearance - Frequent biting of inner cheeks or tongue - Discomfort when chewing or biting - Speech problems, including Lisp development - Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose Diagnosis and classification A malocclusion is usually diagnosed through a routine dental exam. The dentist will examine your teeth and may use dental x-rays to see the teeth properly.. If malocclusion is diagnosed, it is classified according to its type and severity. There are three main categories: ### Class 1 Class 1 is diagnosed when the upper teeth overlap with the lower teeth.... In this type of malocclusion, the bite is normal and the overlap is small... Class 1 malocclusion is the most common classification of malocclusion... ### Class 2 Class 2 malocclusion is diagnosed when there is a severe orbit.. This condition, known as retrognathism (or retrognathia), means that the upper teeth and jaw significantly overlap the lower jaw and teeth.. ### Class 3 Class 3 is also diagnosed when there is a severe deficiency.... This condition, known as prognathism, means that the lower jaw protrudes forward.... This causes the lower teeth to overlap the upper teeth and the jaw.... How is it treated?... Most people with mild malocclusion do not need any treatment.. Your malocclusion, your orthodontist may recommend different treatments.. These may include: - Braces to correct the position of the teeth - Removal of teeth to correct overcrowding - Deformation, adhesion or closure of teeth - Surgery to change the shape or shorten the jaw - Wires or plates to stabilize the jaw bone The treatment of this disorder may lead to some side effects... These include: - Tooth decay - Pain or discomfort - Mouth burning due to the use of household appliances such as braces Difficulty chewing or speaking during treatment How can malocclusion be prevented?....Prevention of this disorder can be difficult because most cases of malocclusion are hereditary..Parents of young children should limit the use of pacifiers and bottles to reduce changes in jaw development..Early diagnosis may help reduce the length (and intensity) of treatment needed to correct the problem..Malocclusion, better outcome....Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/malocclusion-of-teeth#diagnosis