Orthodontics

Classification of Face and Teeth

Classification of Teeth

The classification of bites are broken up into three main categories: Class I, II, and III.

Classification of Teeth Overview

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Classification of Teeth
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Class 1:
Class I is a normal relationship between the upper teeth, lower teeth and jaws or balanced bite.

Class I Normal
Normal

Class I Crowding
Crowding

Class I Spacing
Spacing

Class II:
Class II is where the lower first molar is posterior (or more towards the back of the mouth) than the upper first molar. In this abnormal relationship, the upper front teeth and jaw project further forward than the lower teeth and jaw. There is a convex appearance in profile with a receding chin and lower lip. Class II problems can be due to insufficient growth of the lower jaw, an over growth of the upper jaw or a combination of the two. In many cases, Class II problems are genetically inherited and can be aggravated by environmental factors such as finger sucking. Class II problems are treated via Dentofacial Orthopedic and Orthodontics to bring the upper teeth, lower teeth and jaws into harmony.

Class II Division I
Division 1

Class II Division II
Division 2

Class III:
Class III is where the lower first molar is anterior (or more towards the front of the mouth) than the upper first molar. In this abnormal relationship, the lower teeth and jaw project further forward than the upper teeth and jaws. There is a concave appearance in profile with a prominent chin. Class III problems are usually due to an overgrowth in the lower jaw, undergrowth of the upper jaw or a combination of the two. Like Class II problems, they can be genetically inherited. If this problem is diagnosed and treated at an early age (4 to 5 years old), the growth of the jaw and be redirected and future surgery can be avoided.

Class III Skeleton
Skeleton

Class III Dental
Dental

Classification of Face

It is not sufficient to categorize orthodontic malocclusions on the basis of a classification of the teeth alone. The relationship with other craniofacial structures must also be taken into consideration.

Class 1:

Maxillary-Mandibular Dental Protrusion — teeth:
This is an example of a dental malocclusion that may require Dentofacial Orthopedic and Orthodontic Treatment.

Maxillary-Mandibular Dental Retrusion — teeth:
This is an example of a dental malocclusion that may be treated with expansion (Dentofacial Orthopedic Treatment) rather than removing teeth.

Class 2:

Maxillary Dental Protrusion — teeth:
This malocclusion may require Dentofacial Orthopedic and Orthodontic Treatment.

Mandibular Retrognathism — jaws:
The lower jawbone has not grown as much as the upper jaw. This example of a Class II malocclusion demonstrates the need for early growth guidance (Dentofacial Orthopedic Treatment )

Maxillary Dental Protrusion — teeth & Mandibular Retrognathism — jaws:
The lower jawbone has not grown as much as the upper jaw. This example of a Class II malocclusion demonstrates the need for early growth guidance (Dentofacial Orthopedic Treatment )

Class 3:

Mandibular Dental Protrusion — teeth:
The lower teeth are too far in front of the upper teeth. This malocclusion is treated with Dentofacial Orthopedic and Orthodontic procedures which may require the extraction of teeth due to the dental protrusion.

Mandibular Prognathism — jaws:
The lower jaw bone has outgrown the upper jaw. If diagnosed early skeletal disharmony can be corrected with Dentofacial Orthopedic and Orthodontic Treatment and avoid future surgery.