Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the connection between malocclusion severity, craniodentofacial characteristics, dental aesthetics and malocclusion related quality of life and self – esteem in adolescents and young adults. Materials and methods: The study was cross - sectional and a convenient sample included 200 pupils and university students (58% female) aged 13-33 (median 22, interquartile range 20 – 23). The questionnaire was self-administrated and included the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSS) and the Psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics questionnaire (PIDAQ) . For clinical assessment of the malocclusion severity Index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) and Index of complexity, outcome and need (ICON) were used. Craniofacial typology was estimated by the craniometric method of Martin and Saller. Results: With growing malocclusion severity, the dental aesthetics related quality of life is lowering, although the correlation is weak to moderate. Multiple linear regression showed that, with the control of all other predictors in the model, social impact of dental aesthetics and dental self – confidence (borderline) contribute the most to the explanation of the variability of self- esteem. However, they only account for a small part of the variability of 4.7 and 1.5 %. Sex, age, craniofacial typology, level of malocclusion, self – perceived malocclusion, psychological impact of dental aesthetics and aesthetic concern are not statistically significant predictors of self – esteem in the multiple regression model. The whole model explains 22.6 % of the variability of self-esteem. Conclusions: There is weak to moderate correlation between malocclusion and quality of life. Self – esteem appears to be more influenced by psychosocial impacts of dental aesthetics than age, gender, level of malocclusion or craniofacial typology in adolescents and young adults.