Why do dental and facial problems occur?

Most malocclusions are inherited, but some are acquired. Inherited problems include crowding of teeth, extra or missing teeth, cleft lip and palate and a wide variety of other irregularities of the jaws and face.

Acquired malocclusions can be caused by thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting, the airway being restricted by tonsils and adenoids, dental disease or premature loss of primary or permanent teeth.

Whether inherited or acquired, many of these problems affect not only alignment of the teeth, but facial appearance as well.