noun
- improper alignment or contact between the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed
Usage: medical; dental
Examples
- The orthodontist identified several malocclusions that would require braces.
- Severe malocclusions can cause difficulty chewing and speaking.
- Early treatment of malocclusions in children often prevents more serious problems later.
- The dental exam revealed minor malocclusions that could be corrected with aligners.
- Malocclusions may result from genetics, thumb sucking, or injury to the jaw.
- The patient’s malocclusions were causing jaw pain and headaches.