What is noticeable?
The lower front teeth sit ahead when biting together.
← All explanationsUnderbite / mesial bite
When the lower front teeth sit further forward
With an underbite, the lower front teeth meet in front of the upper teeth. A mesial bite describes a forward relationship of the lower to the upper dental arch. Tooth positions, jaw relationships or a shift on closing can contribute. These terms alone cannot determine treatment.
For dental trainees & teams
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The relationship is reversed
The upper front teeth usually sit slightly ahead of the lower teeth. In an anterior underbite, the lower teeth are further forward in this region.
Teeth or jaws?
Tilted teeth, jaw relationships and a functional forward shift can look similar. Examination distinguishes these different starting points.
Consider growth
Early orthodontic assessment is useful in children. In adults, options depend on how much tooth position and jaw relationship each contribute to the finding.
At a glance
What is distinguished?
Tooth position, jaw relationship and a functional shift.
When should it be assessed?
Early when the underbite is noticeable, especially during growth.
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Silent film in German · English explanations in the three views above
Often confused
Underbite or crossbite?
Underbite usually describes a reversed front-tooth relationship. Crossbite is a broader term for reversed tooth contacts and can also affect back teeth.
Quick answers
Is the lower jaw always too large?
No. A retrusive upper jaw, tooth inclinations or a forward shift of the lower jaw can also contribute. A profile photograph cannot reliably identify one cause.
Should children simply wait?
Not without assessment. Some underbites are assessed early because growth and function matter to planning. Early assessment does not automatically mean immediate treatment.
Is surgery always needed?
No. Different orthodontic approaches may be possible depending on the cause. Marked skeletal discrepancies in adults may call for discussion of combined orthodontic and jaw-surgical care.
At the practice
For your consultation
A question to discuss with Dr. med. dent. Niusha Barahmand Pour:
How much do tooth position, jaw relationship and function contribute to the underbite, and when would specialist assessment help?
Symptoms, examination findings and personal wishes form the basis of individual treatment planning.
An unusual front-tooth relationship deserves a precise assessment.
Discuss tooth and jaw positionChoose an appointment on DoctolibLearning for dental trainees & teamsUnderstand clinical terms and build your knowledge
Build on the simple explanation with clinical terms, key distinctions and a knowledge question.
- Mesial bite
- A forward relationship of the lower to the upper dental arch.
- Negative overjet
- The lower incisors are horizontally ahead of the upper incisors.
- Functional shift
- An altered jaw-closing movement, for example when finding tooth contacts.
Know the difference
Angle Class III describes a particular front-to-back dental relationship but does not by itself prove an enlarged lower jaw. Dental and skeletal components are assessed separately.
Sources and context
Editorial research: 23 October 2026. This explanation covers general principles and does not replace a personal examination. Suitable treatment is discussed following individual assessment.