Malocclusion
Disease Information
In-Depth
What causes malocclusion?
There is no one single cause of malocclusion. Many different factors are involved, including genetic factors and/or environmental factors.
- Children who suck their thumbs or fingers beyond the age of 5 have an increased chance of developing malocclusion.
- Children with a very small space between their baby teeth are at risk for having problems with malocclusion when their permanent teeth appear, because the permanent teeth are larger and require more space.
