Malocclusion
Pronunciation: mal-oh-KLOO-zhun
Any deviation from the accepted norm of tooth and jaw alignment, classified by Angle's classification system into Class I, II, or III types.
Full Definition
Malocclusion describes a misalignment of teeth or incorrect relationship between the dental arches that can affect chewing efficiency, speech, aesthetics, and periodontal health. Angle's classification, based on the relationship of the first permanent molars, is the most widely used system: Class I indicates normal molar relationship with anterior crowding or spacing; Class II indicates the lower molar positioned distally; Class III indicates the lower molar positioned mesially. Dental hygienists document malocclusion during examination because crowded or malpositioning teeth create plaque retention sites. Editors should note that Angle's classification uses Roman numerals (Class I, II, III), not Arabic numerals.
Usage
Usage note: Always render Angle's classification with Roman numerals (Class I, II, III). Avoid 'Class 1' or 'Class 2' in formal clinical documents.
In Context
- "The hygienist flagged the patient's Class III malocclusion as a contributing factor to the lingual calculus accumulation." — Periodontal assessment form
- "When editing Angle's classification, use Roman numerals—'Class II', not 'Class 2'—as per convention." — Style guide note