What is malocclusion?

What is malocclusion?

• A. A misalignment of the upper and lower teeth
• B. A type of tooth decay
• C. Inflammation of the gums
• D. Erosion of enamel

Answer: (A)

Malocclusion is about how the teeth and jaws come together when you bite. The description that captures this is a misalignment of the upper and lower teeth, which is exactly what malocclusion refers to—the teeth don’t align properly when the jaws close. This can include issues like overbites, underbites, crossbites, or crowding and gaps, and it can affect chewing, jaw comfort, and appearance. The other options describe different dental problems—tooth decay (caries), gum inflammation (gingivitis), and enamel erosion—rather than the way teeth meet and fit together.

Malocclusion is about how the teeth and jaws come together when you bite. The description that captures this is a misalignment of the upper and lower teeth, which is exactly what malocclusion refers to—the teeth don’t align properly when the jaws close. This can include issues like overbites, underbites, crossbites, or crowding and gaps, and it can affect chewing, jaw comfort, and appearance. The other options describe different dental problems—tooth decay (caries), gum inflammation (gingivitis), and enamel erosion—rather than the way teeth meet and fit together.