Malocclusion Development in Pediatric Dentistry

Malocclusion comprises any deviation from normal occlusion and arises from the complex interplay of genetic predisposition, craniofacial growth patterns and environmental influences during the formative years of dentoalveolar development. In primary and mixed dentitions, disruptions in the equilibrium between orofacial muscles, airway function and dental arch morphology can precipitate sagittal (overjet, Class II/III), transverse (crossbite) and vertical (open/deep bite) discrepancies. Non-nutritive sucking habits, prolonged bottle-feeding and oral breathing may distort the neutral zone, altering tooth position and jaw relationships. Early identification—through thorough clinical examination, functional assessment and, where indicated, imaging—enables interceptive orthodontic measures that leverage growth potential to guide harmonious occlusofacial development, reduce treatment complexity in the permanent dentition and ameliorate associated functional and psychosocial impacts.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A comprehensive meta-analysis of primary dentition in mainland China revealed that nearly half of preschool children exhibit some form of malocclusion, with Class I cases predominating but significant proportions of Class II and Class III relationships also observed. Overbite was the most frequent vertical discrepancy, while the flush terminal plane dominated molar relationships. Notable regional and temporal trends were identified, though gender and urban–rural status had minimal influence. These findings underscore the necessity for regionally tailored screening programmes and preventive strategies in early childhood to curb the rising prevalence and facilitate timely intervention.

Malocclusion Development in Pediatric Dentistry publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in malocclusion development in pediatric dentistry across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Neutral zone: The space in the oral cavity where forces from the tongue, lips and cheeks are balanced, stabilising tooth position.

Overjet: The horizontal distance by which upper incisors project beyond lower incisors in the sagittal plane.

Open bite: A lack of vertical overlap between anterior or posterior teeth when the jaws are in occlusion.

Crossbite: A transverse discrepancy where one or more upper teeth occlude lingual to their lower antagonists.

Interceptive orthodontics: Early treatment modalities aimed at guiding jaw growth and eruption patterns to prevent or reduce the severity of malocclusion.

References

1. Prevalence of malocclusion in primary dentition in mainland China, 1988–2017: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports (2018).
2. Expert consensus on pediatric orthodontic therapies of malocclusions in children. International Journal of Oral Science (2024).
3. Breastfeeding Protects from Overjet in Adolescence by Reducing Pacifier Use: A Birth Cohort Study. Nutrients (2023).
4. Tongue Behavior in Anterior Open Bite—A Narrative Review. Diagnostics (2025).