Types of Malocclusion The term "malocclusion" (poor bite) refers
to a number of possible conditions. The most common are: - Upper
protrusion. In an upper protrusion, the upper front teeth are
pushed outward (buck teeth). A small lower jaw may be the cause.
Pacifier use or thumb-sucking can also create this condition by
pushing the teeth outward, sometimes causing the roof of the
mouth to change shape (upper palate). - Spacing or crowding
problems. Too much or too little room for the teeth can cause
spacing or crowding problems. Crowding can prevent permanent
teeth from coming in properly or at all (impaction). - Misplaced
midline. In people who have a misplaced midline, the front
center line between the upper front teeth doesn't match up with
the center line of the lower front teeth. - Open bite. Although
the molars fit together in a person who has an open bite, the
upper and lower front teeth don't overlap. This creates an
opening straight into the mouth. An open bite can also be
present on one or both sides