What moves?
The mandible.
← All explanationsProtrusion
What does moving the lower jaw forward mean?
Protrusion is forward movement of the mandible. The term describes a movement, not by itself a malocclusion or treatment recommendation.
For training & practice ↓
AI-generated
Choose a view
Move forward
The mandible moves forwards with coordinated joint and muscle activity.
Movement and contacts
Which teeth contact during movement may matter in a functional assessment.
Use selectively
A mandibular advancement appliance holds an individually selected forward position. Medical and dental assessment determine suitability.
Read the full explanation
Move forward
The mandible moves forwards with coordinated joint and muscle activity.
Movement and contacts
Which teeth contact during movement may matter in a functional assessment.
Use selectively
A mandibular advancement appliance holds an individually selected forward position. Medical and dental assessment determine suitability.
Notes on the teaching images
- Static orientation; not a movement measurement.
- Movement principle; no particular bite position recommended.
- Example of an appliance principle; no specific product.
At a glance
Automatically abnormal?
No.
Self-adjust an appliance?
Only within an agreed care plan.
Knowledge in motion
Explained in 36 seconds.
Three steps. No audio.
Each scene can also be selected manually.
Silent educational film with German on-screen text and simplified teaching images. Not a patient case or a promised treatment outcome. The full English explanation is available as text.
Often confused
Movement versus malocclusion
Normal forward movement does not mean a permanently forward jaw position.
Quick answers
Is this an underbite?
No. An underbite describes a bite relationship; protrusion describes movement.
Should I push as far as possible?
No. Appliance adjustment is individual; more advancement is not automatically better.
What is retrusion?
Retrusion means backward mandibular movement.
At the practice
For a personal discussion
Editorially suggested question to discuss with Dr Niusha Barahmand Pour:
How is a suitable appliance position determined?
Jaw movement and existing appliances can be discussed personally.
Discuss jaw movementAppointment selection at DoctolibLearning layer for training & practiceUnderstand terminology and deepen knowledge
- Protrusion
- Forward movement.
- Retrusion
- Backward movement.
- Laterotrusion
- Movement of one side of the mandible away from the midline.
Make the distinction
Normal forward movement does not mean a permanently forward jaw position.
Sources and context
Editorial research: . General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Teaching illustrations are simplified and do not depict a patient case.