What defines an underbite?

What defines an underbite?

• A. Maxillary teeth extend beyond mandible
• B. Mandibular teeth extend beyond maxillary
• C. Teeth do not contact
• D. Crossbite

Answer: (B)

An underbite occurs when the lower jaw sits forward of the upper jaw, so the lower front teeth bite in front of the upper front teeth. The best description among the options is that the mandibular teeth extend beyond the maxillary teeth. If the upper teeth were ahead, that wouldn’t be an underbite. The idea of teeth not contacting isn’t defining, and while an underbite is a type of anterior crossbite, the precise definition is the lower teeth in front.

An underbite occurs when the lower jaw sits forward of the upper jaw, so the lower front teeth bite in front of the upper front teeth. The best description among the options is that the mandibular teeth extend beyond the maxillary teeth. If the upper teeth were ahead, that wouldn’t be an underbite. The idea of teeth not contacting isn’t defining, and while an underbite is a type of anterior crossbite, the precise definition is the lower teeth in front.