Orthodontic Assistant Practice Exam

Class II malocclusion is defined as what position of the mandible?

1. A protruded position of the mandible

2. A normal position of the mandible

3. A retruded position of the mandible

4. An overdeveloped position of the mandible

The correct answer is: A retruded position of the mandible

Class II malocclusion is characterized by the retruded position of the mandible relative to the maxilla. In this dental classification system, the first molar relationship is often used to define the malocclusion. In Class II malocclusion, the lower first molar is positioned more towards the back of the mouth than the upper first molar, indicating that the mandible has not developed forward adequately compared to the maxilla. This results in a dental and skeletal relationship where the upper teeth are more prominent, and the lower teeth are positioned further back, which can lead to issues with bite and aesthetics. The other options do not accurately describe Class II malocclusion. While a protruded position of the mandible would align more with Class III malocclusion, and a normal position does not categorize any specific malocclusion, an overdeveloped position would not accurately represent the characteristics of Class II, which is defined by the mandible's retruded position. Understanding these relationships is crucial in orthodontics for proper diagnosis and treatment planning.