What types of bites are there?

The occlusion, commonly known as bite, is divided into three categories according to the position of the first molars when they fit together and the position in which the upper and lower teeth fit together. The categories are called class I, II and III.

By means of the bite it is possible to determine a skeletal discrepancy and to understand the reason why the occlusion is not perfect. This occurs in cases where the maxilla and mandible are not well aligned and requires treatment to align them.

If left untreated, the malocclusion could cause problems in:

  • Chewing.
  • Digestion.
  • Tooth wear.
  • Speech.
  • Jaw articulation (TMJ).
  • sleep disorders
  • Facial features.
  • etc.

Class I

Class I occlusion is the correct occlusion between the teeth, the mandible and the maxilla, which gives a well-balanced profile to the person in the anteroposterior plane.

Class II

Class II occlusion is one in which the lower dental arch is located in the innermost part of the mouth. This causes the maxilla and upper front teeth to project more forward than the mandible and lower teeth.

Patients with a Class II profile present a convex appearance, with the lower lip and chin receding.

Problems with this type of occlusion may be due to:

  • Insufficient growth of the mandible.
  • Overgrowth of the upper jaw.
  • Combination of both.

Usually, these problems are caused by genetic reasons, although they can be aggravated by environmental factors.

The ideal treatment for this skeletal malocclusion in adults is orthodontics combined with orthognathic surgery.

Class III

Class III occlusion is one in which the lower molars do not fit over the upper molars, as they are too far forward. This causes the mandible to project further forward than the maxilla and upper teeth.

Read Now 👉  Jaw Surgery

Patients with this malocclusion have a concave-looking profile and a prominent chin shape. This is due to poor growth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or a combination of both. In this case, the ideal solution is also orthodontics with orthognathic surgery.