Which statement best describes Class II malocclusion?

Which statement best describes Class II malocclusion?

• A. The mandible is prognathic relative to the maxilla
• B. The maxilla is retrognathic relative to the mandible
• C. The maxilla is prognathic relative to the mandible or the ANB angle is increased
• D. The occlusion is always open bite

Answer: (C)

Understanding how the upper jaw sits relative to the lower jaw is key to Class II malocclusion. In Class II, the maxilla is ahead of the mandible (or the mandible is retruded), which shows up as an increased ANB angle on cephalometrics and a distal relationship of the molars. That makes the statement that the maxilla is prognathic relative to the mandible or the ANB angle is increased the best description. The other scenarios describe opposite skeletal relationships (Class III, where the mandible is ahead or the maxilla is behind) or a feature like an open bite that isn’t defining for Class II.

Understanding how the upper jaw sits relative to the lower jaw is key to Class II malocclusion. In Class II, the maxilla is ahead of the mandible (or the mandible is retruded), which shows up as an increased ANB angle on cephalometrics and a distal relationship of the molars. That makes the statement that the maxilla is prognathic relative to the mandible or the ANB angle is increased the best description. The other scenarios describe opposite skeletal relationships (Class III, where the mandible is ahead or the maxilla is behind) or a feature like an open bite that isn’t defining for Class II.