Fig 3-1a  A V-shaped maxillary arch with mesial rotation of the permanent first molars, which occurs, according to Cetlin (1983), in 80% of patients, can cause premature contacts and interfere with lateral excursion. When a molar is rotated mesially, it occupies 12.0 mm of space instead of the normal 10.0 mm. Simply by correcting these rotations, the orthodontist can often obtain the space required to eliminate minor Class II malocclusions, while, at the same time, freeing the mandible from constraints. When molars are correctly positioned, a line connecting the distobuccal cusp of the maxillary first molar with its mesiopalatal cusp should, when continued, pass across the distal third of the contralateral canine tooth (green line). Molars can be rotated mesially, as shown in the figure (red lines), or distally.

Fig 3-1b  A V-shaped maxillary arch forces the mandible to position itself posteriorly to adapt to the reduced transverse maxillary dimensions. In this instance, the mandibular transverse dimensions are normal. The distance registered by the caliper corresponds to the maxillary intermolar distance, revealing how much smaller it is than the mandibular intermolar distance.

Fig 3-2a  The anterior and lateral crossbite interferes with eccentric mandibular movements. There is also a midline deviation in maximal occlusion.

Fig 3-2b  Premature contact of the primary right canines in centric relation provokes a lateral mandibular deviation.

Fig 3-3  In serious cases of deep bite, including all Class II division 2 malocclusions, the palatal inclination of the maxillary incisors interferes with anterior movement of the mandible and forces it posteriorly. Because the incisal palatal guidance is vertical, the mandible can escape this constraint only by opening downward and backward, a nonphysiologic movement. To accomplish this movement, the muscles that retract and lower the mandible are called into play; muscular harmony is altered, as are the pressures exerted by the condyles on the temporomandibular joint and, consequently, growth equilibrium. The posterosuperior pressure on the retrodiscal tissues of the temporomandibular joint provokes, through reflex action, tension on the pterygoid disc muscle, which pulls the disc forward as the condyle is pushed backward. In this situation, discal subluxation is frequent. During the course of growth in patients with overbite, incisors erupt along the line of their axial inclination, while maxillary molars descend along the facial axis, downward and forward (see chapter 4). In this type of growth, the distance between incisors and molars is diminished, the mandible is put at increasingly greater risk of being locked lingually, and the possibility of impaired eruption of the maxillary canines is increased. These observations indicate the importance of early intervention to unlock the mandible.

Fig 3-4  In patients with an open bite, the condyles, owing to the absence of incisal guidance, drift forward and downward in a futile quest for anterior contact.

Fig 3-5  Profound Class II division 1 protrusion of the maxillary incisors leads to condylar pressure against the articular eminences, as the mandible unsuccessfully seeks incisal contact in excursive movements.

Fig 3-6  Anterior crossbite with forward slide of the mandible places articular pressure on the propulser muscles and stimulates growth of the condyles.