Malocclusion

Chapter 301 Malocclusion



Norman Tinanoff



The oral cavity is essentially a masticatory instrument. The purpose of the anterior teeth is to bite off portions of large amounts of food. The posterior teeth reduce foodstuff to a soft, moist bolus. The cheeks and tongue force the food onto the areas of tooth contact. Establishing a proper relationship between the mandibular and maxillary teeth is important for physiologic and cosmetic reasons.



Variations in Growth Patterns


Growth patterns are classified into 3 main types of occlusion, determined when the jaws are closed and the teeth are held together (Fig. 301-1). According to the Angle Classification of Malocclusion, in class I occlusion (normal), the cusps of the posterior mandibular teeth interdigitate ahead of and inside the corresponding cusps of the opposing maxillary teeth. This relationship provides a normal facial profile.



image

Figure 301-1 Angle classification of occlusion. The typical correspondence between the facial-jaw profile and molar relationship is shown.


In class II malocclusion,

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Jun 18, 2016 | Posted by in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on Malocclusion

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