Definitions and Confusions - Overbite is often confused with overjet, which is the distance between the maxillary anterior teeth and the mandibular anterior teeth in the anterior-posterior axis. - Overbite may also be used to refer to Class II malocclusion or retrognathia, although this usage can be considered incorrect. - Class II malocclusion is when the mandible appears too far behind the maxilla. - A person with Class II malocclusion may exhibit excessive overbite or openbite. - Openbite is a condition where the upper and lower teeth do not meet or bite in the correct position.

Changing Human Dentition - European overbite is believed to be about 250 years old and was influenced by the adoption of table knives and forks. - Before the use of cutlery, Europeans would clamp their teeth on a piece of meat and cut it with a knife. - The introduction of forks and knives resulted in cutting being done on the plate, leading to a more common overbite. - The Chinese, who adopted chopsticks earlier, also experienced an increase in overbites with the introduction of chopsticks. - Labiodental consonant sounds in human speech may have developed alongside the overbite.

References - Okeson, J.P. (2008) Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion. Sixth Edition. - Overbite at Dorlands Medical Dictionary. - Twilley, Nicola. Freedom from food. Aeon Media Ltd. Retrieved 2014-10-06. - Moran, Steven; Bickel, Balthasar (14 March 2019). Softer, processed foods changed the way ancient humans spoke. The Conversation. Retrieved 20 March 2019.

External Links - Classification: ICD-10: K07.2, ICD-9-CM: 524.29, MeSH: D057887 - Dental disease involving the jaw - General jaw abnormality - Malocclusion - Orthodontics

Notable Figures in Orthodontics - Charles B. Bolton - Holly Broadbent Sr. - Allan G. Brodie - Charles J. Burstone - Peter Buschang - Calvin Case - Harold Chapman (Orthodontist) - David Di Biase - Jean Delaire - Terry Dischinger