TREATMENT INFO

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

For a brief overview of the classification of teeth, please click on the image below. It will launch our flash educational module in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about the classifications of teeth.

Classification of Teeth
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Class 1:
Class I indicates that the upper and lower molars fit together properly. However, there still may be crowding or excessive spacing.

Class I Normal
Normal

Class I Crowding
Crowding

Class I Spacing
Spacing

Class II:
Class II indicates that the upper teeth sit too far ahead of the lower teeth, commonly referred to as an overbite. In this abnormal relationship, the upper front teeth and jaw project further forward than the lower teeth and jaw. In the profile there may be 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. In growing patients, Class II problems are often treated by redirecting the growth of the lower jaw to bring the teeth and jaws into harmony. In adult patients, surgery or extraction may be required.

Class II Division I
Division 1

Class II Division II
Division 2

Class III:
Class III indicates the lower teeth sit too far ahead of the upper first molar, commonly referred to as an underbite. In this abnormal relationship, the lower teeth and jaw project further forward than the upper teeth and jaws. In the profile there may be 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. And also like Class II problems, they are more easily corrected by redirecting jaw growth in pre-adolescence.

Class III Skeleton
Skeleton

Class III Dental
Dental

Classification of the 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 the removal of teeth for correction.

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

Class 2:

Maxillary Dental Protrusion — teeth:
This malocclusion may require the removal of 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.

Maxillary Dental Protrusion — teeth & Mandibular Retrognathism — jaws:
These Class malocclusions are more difficult to treat due to the skeletal disharmony and may require orthognathic surgery in conjunction with orthodontic treatment.

Class 3:

Mandibular Dental Protrusion — teeth:
The lower teeth are too far in front of the upper teeth. This malocclusion is treated with 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. This malocclusion is more difficult to treat due to the skeletal disharmony and may require orthognathic surgery in conjunction with orthodontic treatment.

See our FAQs for more information on what causes orthodontic problems.