An orthodontic problem is called a malocclusion, meaning "bad bite." Many people have alignment irregularities in their teeth and jaws to varying degrees. Bad Bite (Malocclusion) is any condition in which a person’s upper and lower teeth and jaw do not fit together properly. Some examples of causes of malocclusion are crowded teeth, extra teeth, missing teeth or jaws that are out of alignment. In most cases, malocclusions are developmental. A person may have malocclusion if the upper and lower jaws are not the same size. Or, malocclusion may result if a person’s mouth is especially small, causing teeth to become crowded and shift out of position. Such irregularities from slight crowding to an uneven jaw create a "bad bite." Although most people visit a cosmetic dentist to correct their bites to gain a more beautiful smile, dentists recommend orthodontic treatment for better mouth functionality. People with malocclusion may have trouble biting, struggle to keep teeth clean and experience health problems related to gum tissue. Malocclusion also can affect jaw growth, speech development and a person’s appearance. They are also a major contributor to head, neck and facial pain.

A bad bite can make speaking and chewing difficult. Having a bad bite can also put tremendous pressure on teeth and jaws causing tooth fractures and eventually tooth loss. Most malocclusions are inherited, although some can be acquired. Acquired malocclusions can be caused by accidents, early or late loss of baby teeth, or sucking of the thumb or fingers for a prolonged period of time. They are also a major contributor to head, neck and facial pain. Malocclusion usually causes symptoms that do not appear right away, but instead gradually develop over time. These may include chewing difficulties, tooth decay, gum disease, fractures of crowns or loosening of the teeth. It may also result in low self-esteem due to a facial appearance that is considered unusual or unattractive by conventional standards.

Class I Malocclusion is called dental malocclusion in which only teeth are crowded while the bite is normal; Class II Malocclusion and Class III Malocclusion are skeletal malocclusions, called retrognathism or overbite and prognathism or underbite, respectively. Some of the most common problems malocclusion can cause with the teeth and jaws include: Crossbite is the most common type when the upper teeth bite or occlude inside of the lower teeth. This can cause biting and chewing problems. Crowded or crooked teeth make poor alignment of the teeth and can occur as a result of a dental arch that is too small, teeth that are too large or a combination of these factors. Teeth may become impacted or biting may be affected. Crowded or crooked teeth also can be cosmetically unappealing. Open bite occurs when the upper and lower incisor teeth do not touch during biting. This places all chewing pressure on the back teeth, making chewing less efficient and causing excessive wearing of the back teeth. Overbite is a condition when the upper jaw is larger than the lower jaw, leading to discomfort, bone damage and excessive wear of the front teeth. Protruding upper teeth are more prone to injury and may indicate unevenness in jaw growth. They also may indicate a poor bite of the back teeth. Spacingstrong> is a wide dental arch or missing or small teeth can cause gaps between the teeth, which may be considered cosmetically unappealing. In the Underbite, lower jaw is bigger than the upper jaw, resulting in lower front teeth that protrude and a possible crossbite.

The early noticeable warning signs of bad bite include: Upper font teeth protrude or are "bucked"; Top front teeth cover more than 25% of the bottom front teeth when the back teeth are biting together; Top front teeth grow in behind the bottom front teeth; A space exists between the top and bottom front teeth with the back teeth biting together; Crowded or overlapped teeth or extra teeth; Baby teeth are slow falling out; The centers of the top and bottom front teeth don't line up; Finger sucking habit continuing after six years old; Difficulty chewing; Teeth wearing unevenly; Jaws that shift off center when the teeth bite together; Excessive spaces between teeth that persist after the top permanent canine teeth appear; Teeth or smile often hidden by hands; Night or day time teeth grinding (bruxism) due to social or work related pressures. Typically, a dentist uncovers the nature of a patient’s malocclusion through a dental examination during childhood. If the dentist suspects malocclusion, the patient will be referred to an orthodontist. The orthodontist also will take dental x-rays and take impressions of the teeth using rubbery material. Photographs of the patient’s face and teeth also may be taken to trace how treatment changes the child’s facial appearance.

Cosmetic dentists and orthodontists now have treatment methods, including smile designing, which are simpler and less time consuming. After these steps have been taken and all relevant information has been gathered, a treatment plan will be formulated. Correcting a bad bite not only creates a beautiful smile and allows you to eat and speak with ease; it also prevents premature wear of tooth surfaces. Malocclusion typically is treated using fixed or removable appliances, or a combination of both. Fixed appliances are known as braces and are the most common form of treatment for malocclusion. Removable appliances, which are composed of wires attached to a plastic base (e.g., retainer), can be removed by the patient. Orthodontic treatments can significantly reduce or eliminate the risk of breaking a tooth and reduces the likelihood of developing symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorders.

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct malocclusion. This is particularly true of adults, who may have skeletal problems that cannot be corrected without jaw surgery. Surgery may include procedures to lengthen or shorten the jaw (Orthognathic surgery) and wires, plates or screws may be used to stabilize the jawbone. Regardless of the treatment method, careful adherence to the recommended schedule in dental hygiene like brushing and flossing is essential for success and the prevention of complications.