malocclusion

American  

[mal-uh-kloo-zhuhn] / ˌmæl əˈklu ʒən /

noun

Dentistry.

1. faulty occlusion; irregular contact of opposing teeth in the upper and lower jaws.

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malocclusion British  

/ ˌmæləˈkluːʒən /

noun

1. dentistry a defect in the normal position of the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed, as from abnormal development of the jaw

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malocclusion Scientific  

/ măl′ə-klo̅o̅′zhən /

1. Misalignment between the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed, resulting in a faulty bite.

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Other Word Forms

• maloccluded adjective

Etymology

Origin of malocclusion

First recorded in 1885–90; mal- + occlusion

Example Sentences

But Squirt had a wonky jaw — a malocclusion, possibly from the fall — and Brian had to clip his teeth every week or so.

From Washington Post

Mr. Friedman was told he had a skeletal malocclusion, which severely limited his airways.

From New York Times

He told me that he would examine specimens in museums, and from this he deduced that jaw deficiencies and malocclusion — a misaligned bite — were nonexistent in the archaeological and animal records.

From New York Times

"In addition, children who are breast-fed are less likely to use a pacifier, which is considered a risk factor for malocclusion."

From US News

Given the long-term growth projection of about 18%, an uptrend in earnings estimates and strong potential in the malocclusion market, Align Technology appears to have bright prospects ahead.

From Forbes