Malocclusion

Dr Wajiha Anzar
MSc Trainee
Department Of Community
Dentistry
ANGLE’S SYSTEM OF
CLASSIFICATION
• Edward Angle introduced a system of
classifying malocclusion in year 1899.

• Based on the relation of the lower first

permanent molar to the upper first
permanent molar , he classified
malocclusions into three main classes.
• Angle classified malocclusion into the
following broad categories.
• Class I
• Class II – Division 1
• Division 2
• Class III
 Angle’s Class I
• The mesio-buccal cusp of maxillary first
permanent molar occludes in buccal groove
of mandibular first permanent molar.

• The patient may exhibit irregularities such as

crowding, spacing, rotations, missing teeth
etc.
 Canine Classification
CLASS I: Mesial slope of upper canine coincides
with the distal slope of lower canine.
 Angle’s Class II
• The distobuccal cusp of upper first permanent
molar occludes in buccal groove of the lower first
permanent molar.

• Angle has sub-classified class II malocclusions

into two divisions :
• Division I
• Division II
 Class II , Division 1
• The classII , division 1 malocclusion is
characterized by procline upper incisors
with a resultant increase in overjet.

• A deep incisor overbite can occur in the

anterior region.
• A characteristic feature of this
malocclusion is the presence of abnormal
muscle activity.
• The upper lip is usually hypotonic, short
and fails to form a lip seal.

• The lower lip cushions the palatal aspect

of the upper teeth, a feature typical of a
class II, division 1 referred to as ‘lip trap’

•Class II, Division 1 occurs when the

permanent first molars are in Class II and
the permanent maxillary central incisors
are either normal or slightly protruded out
toward the lips.
 Canine Classification
• CLASS II : Distal slope of upper canine
coincides with the mesial slope of lower
canine.
 Class II, Division 2
• As in Class II , Division I Malocclusion ,
the Division 2 also exhibits a Class II
molar relationship.

• The classic feature of this malocclusion is

the presence of lingually inclined upper
central incisors and labially tipped upper
lateral incisors overlapping the central
incisors.
 Class II, Sub-division
• When a Class II molar relation exists on
one side and a class I relation on the other
side, it is referred to as Class II, sub-
division .

• Based on whether it is a Division I or

Division 2 it can be called Class II, Division
2, sub-division or Class II, Division2 , sub-
division.
 Angle’s Class III
• The malocclusion exhibits a classIII molar
relation with the mesio-buccal cusp of the
maxillary first permanent molar occluding
in the interdental space between the
mandibular first and second molars.

• Class III malocclusion can be classified

into true ClassIII and pseudo Class III
 True ClassIII

• In this classification, the maxillary first

molar is more to the back of the
mandibular first molar than normal; the
buccal groove of the mandibular first molar
is mesial to the mesiobuccal cusp of the
maxillary first molar.
• The facial profile is termed prognathic.
This is a skeletal Class III malocclusion of
genetic origin that can occur due to the
following causes:
• a- Excessively large mandible
• b- Forwardly placed mandible
• c- smaller than normal maxilla
• d- repositioned maxilla
• e- combination of the above causes

• Patients can present with a normal overjet,

an edge to edge incisor relationship or and
anteriro cross bite.
Class III
 Canine Classification
• CLASS III : The distal surface of the
mandibular canine is mesial to the mesial
surface of maxillary canine by at least a
width of 1 premolar.
 Pseudo Class III
• This type of malocclusion is produced by a
forward movement of the mandible during
jaw closure,

• Thus it is also called ‘postural’ or ‘habitual’

Class III malocclusion.
 Class III, Sub-division
• This is a condition characterized by a
Class III molar relation on one side and a
ClassI relation on the other side.
SUMMARY
 Drawbacks of Angle’s
Classification
• 1- Angle considered malocclusion only in
the anterioposterior plane. He did not
consider malocclusions in the transverse
and vertical planes.
• 2- Angle considered the first permanent
molars as fixed points in the skull. But this
is not found to be so
• 3- The classification cannot be applied in
the first permanent molars are extracted or
missing.

• 4- The classification cannot be applied to

the deciduous dentition.

• 5- The classification does not differentiate

between skeletal and dental malocclusions
• 6- The classification does not highlight the
etiology of malocclusion.

• 7- Individual tooth malpositions have not

been considered by Angle.
THANKYOU