Class II Malocclusion

According to the Angle Classification of Malocclusion, Class II Malocclusion, also known as retrognathism or overbite, occurs when the upper jaw and teeth overlap the bottom jaw and teeth. Technically, the front teeth must overlap the lower teeth at least 3 mm for the dental malocclusion to be considered Class II.

The situation of the lower molar being placed behind the upper molar in "overbite" causes the alignment of the teeth to be irregular and often the appearance of the face to be abnormal, particularly since in the case of Class II Malocclusion the mandible (lower jaw) is typically small compared to the maxillary bone.

Class II Malocclusion calls for orthodontic treatment such as the use of orthodontic appliances (metal braces, springs, brackets, orthodontic elastics, etc.), tooth extraction, and on occasion, tooth reshaping.