Edward Angle developed a classification system for malocclusions in 1899 that categorized them into three main classes based on the relationship of the mandible to the maxilla. Class I is considered normal with the mandible fitting correctly over the maxilla. Class II is when the mandible is positioned back from the maxilla, divided into two divisions. Class III is when the mandible is positioned forward from the maxilla. Angle described characteristics and causes for each class and subclassified them further. His system provides a framework for describing malocclusions based on skeletal relationships.

1. ANGLE’S CLASSIFICATION OF
MALOCCLUSION
EDWARD ANGLE , 1899

2. FIXED
ANATOMICAL
LANDMARK
WITHIN THE
JAWS
KEY TO
OCCLUSION

3. CLASS I
CLASS II
CLASS III

4. ANGLE’S CLASS I MALOCCLUSION
Normal Skeletal Relation
Normal Muscle Function

5. ASSOCIATED DENTAL IRREGULARITIES

6. CLASS I BIXALLIARY PROTRUSION

7. ANGLE’S CLASS II MALOCCLUSION

8. CLASS II , division 1

9. CLASS II , division 1
Abnormal Muscle Activity

10. CLASS II , division 1
Abnormal Muscle Activity

11. CLASS II , division 1
Abnormal Muscle Activity
Lower lip
cushion’s
the palatal
aspect of the
upper teeth
LIP TRAP

12. CLASS II , division 1

13. CLASS II , division 1
‘V’ SHAPED ‘U’ SHAPED

14. CLASS II , division 2

15. CLASS II , division 1

16. CLASS II , division 2

17. CLASS II , division 2
Squarish appearance
Traumatised
mandibular labial
gingiva
Normal perioral muscle
activity
Abnormal path of closure
may be present

19. CLASS II , subdivision

20. CLASS III MALOCCLUSION

21. CLASS III MALOCCLUSION

22. 1) Excessively Large Mandible
TRUE CLASS III

23. 2) Forwardly Placed Mandible
TRUE CLASS III

24. 3) Retro-positioned maxilla
TRUE CLASS III

25. 4) Smaller than Normal Maxilla
TRUE CLASS III

26. Class III Malocclusion

27. • Due to
forward
movement of
the mandible
during jaw
closure
POSTURAL / HABITUAL Class III
PSEUDO CLASS III

28. 1
• Presence of Occlusal Prematurities
2
• In case of premature loss of deciduous posteriors, the
child tends to move the mandible forward to establish
contact in the anterior region
3
• Child with enlarged adenoids tends to move the mandible
forward in an attempt to prevent tongue from contacting
the adenoids
PSEUDO CLASS III

29. CLASS III , subdivision

30. CLASS III , Subdivision