Misständning

Misständning is a term used primarily in dentistry and orthodontics to describe a misalignment between the upper and lower dental arches, resulting in an improper bite or occlusion. It covers a range from minor tooth-position irregularities to more substantial skeletal disharmony between the jaws. In professional practice, misständning is often used to describe malocclusion and is a central concern in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Classification can distinguish between dental components, where individual tooth positions are out of alignment, and skeletal components, where the jaws themselves are incongruent. Common subtypes encountered in clinical care include overbite (deep bite), underbite (Class III malocclusion), crossbite, crowding, spacing, open bite, and complex combinations of these features. The clinical impact depends on severity, location, and how it affects function and aesthetics.

Causes are multifactorial and can include genetic influences on tooth size and jaw shape, developmental disturbances, early loss of primary teeth, unfavorable oral habits such as prolonged thumb sucking, trauma, or diseases affecting growth. Environmental factors and dental wear can also contribute to changes in occlusion over time.

Diagnosis relies on a combination of visual examination, dental impressions or scans, bite registrations, and imaging such as panoramic and cephalometric radiographs. Occlusal analysis helps determine the balance between dental and skeletal factors and guides treatment decisions.

Treatment aims to restore function and aesthetics and may involve observation for mild cases, preventive or interventional orthodontic appliances, braces or clear aligners, selective tooth extraction to create space, and, in severe skeletal disharmony, orthognathic surgery. Retention strategies follow active treatment to maintain results. The prognosis varies with severity, growth potential, and patient adherence.