Classification of Malocclusion Angle PDF
Classification of Malocclusion Angle PDF
Classification of Malocclusion Angle PDF
CLASSIFICATION OF MALOCCLUSION.*
BY ED\VARD H. ANGLE, D.D.S., ST. LOUIS, MO.
of the lower; the distal incline of the upper cuspid occludes with
the mesial incline of the buccal cusp of the lower first bicuspid; the
mesial incline of the buccal cusp of the upper first bicuspid occludes
with the distal incline of the bucoal cusp of the lower first bicuspid.
FIG. 1.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 4.
At the same time pressure of the lips an,d cheeks (aided by the
occlusal planes) is gradually molding the upper arch to conform to
Ithe abnormal size of the lower.
It will thus be seen how effectually the maintenance of the mal-
occlusion has been provided for, and how hopeless it is to expect
nature t'O correct these deformitie1s' unaided. As well might we
expect the self..JCure of strabis'mus of the 'eye or 'curvature of the
spine. How absurd, even pernicious, then, is the common advice
of many dentists to p'arents to "let nature alone and the teeth Iwill
strai·ghten th'emselves."
254 THE DENTAL COSMOS.
FIG. 5.
E.H.A.
CLASSIFICATION OF MALOCCLUSIO'N.
As already stated, there can be but seven distinct positions which
teeth inm.alOocclusion can occupy. These, with their inclinations,
f'Orm combinations practically limitless in variety, to the casual
observer presenting differen,ces S'O distinctive as to render each
apparently wholly dissimilar 'frOom all the others. Failute to grasp
the underlying principles has given rise to the teaching that, as
each case is so radic,ally different from all others, it necessitates the
invention and construction of an applian,ce to meet its special
requirements.
In reality all cases of m'aloc·clusion may be as readily arranged
in well-defined ·classes as plants, animals, or the element1s; and
by thoroughly mastering the distinguishing characteristics of
oc'clus10n and of ,the facial lines peculiar to ealch class, the diagnosis
of any given ease is greatly simplified.
At the same time, fatniliarity with the pOossibilities of tooth-m'Ove-
ment and 'with the changes requisite to each distinct and separa1te
THE DENTA,L COSMOS.
FIG. 6.
FIG. 7.
class as best suited to produce these changes, will reduce the diffi-
culties of treatment to the minimum.
ANGLE.-CLASSIFlCATION OF MA,LOCCLUSION. 257
In diagnosing cases of malocclusion 'we must consider, first, the
mesio-distal relatiD'ns of the dental arches; second, the individual
positions of the teeth. In 'what is said upon diagnosis and in the
FIG. 8.
FIG. 9.
ings, 'which show the normal relati'ons of the cuspids and m'esio-
buccal ,cusp 'Of the upper first molar with the buccal groove of the
lower first molar.
Of course, in determining the mesio-distal variations all of the
teeth are to be taken into consideration, but the points indicated
have long been favorites with the author in beginning the diagno-
sis 'Of cases, for the reason that the first molars and cuspids are far
more reliable as points from which to judge, 'Owing to the fact that
they are found to' oC'cupy normal positions far more often than any
FIG. 10.
of the other teeth, the molars being less restrained in taking their
positi'Ons, while the cuspids, owing to their hist'Ory and great size,
force their way usually into relatively normal positions in their
arches.
Class I. Fig. 6. Relative position of the dental arches, mesio-
distally, normal, with first molars usually in normal occlusion,
although one or more may be in lingual or buccal ,occlusion. Cases
belonging to this class far exceed in number those of all other
classes combined (see table), ranging from the simple overlapping
ofa single incisor to the most complex, involving the positions of
all of the teeth of both arches. (Fig. 7.)
The avera1ge case, Frig. 6, is where the malocclusion is princi-
pallyconfined to the incisors of both upper and lower arches.
ANGLE.-CLASSIFICATION OF MA.LOCCLUSION. 259
FIG. I I.
FIG. I2.
260 THE DENTAL COSMOS.
FIG. 13.
FIG. 14.
FIG. IS.
FIG. 16.
FIG. 18.