Malocclusion
Pronunciation: mal-oh-KLOO-zhun
A misalignment or incorrect relationship between the upper and lower teeth when the jaws close.
Full Definition
Malocclusion describes any deviation from the ideal occlusal relationship, classified by the Angle system into Class I (normal arch relationship with crowding or spacing), Class II (retrognathic lower jaw or prognathic upper jaw), and Class III (prognathic lower jaw or retrognathic upper jaw). It is always written as a single, unhyphenated word, though editors occasionally encounter the erroneous hyphenated form 'mal-occlusion' in older texts or translated documents. Malocclusion may be documented in orthodontic assessments, surgical referral letters, and insurance justification forms. Editors should not treat 'malocclusion' and 'occlusion' as synonyms — they are antonymous in clinical usage.
Usage
Usage note: Always one unhyphenated word. Specify the Angle class (I, II, or III) when accuracy demands it in formal reports.
In Context
- "The patient presented with a Class II malocclusion requiring a combination of orthodontic and orthognathic surgical intervention." — Orthodontic referral letter
- "Early intervention is recommended when skeletal malocclusion is identified in growing patients." — Clinical guidelines document