What is a lack of vertical overlap of teeth called?

The term that describes a lack of vertical overlap of the teeth is open bite. In an open bite, when the jaws are closed, the upper and lower teeth do not come into contact vertically, resulting in a gap between them. This is often observed when the incisors do not overlap as they should. Open bites can occur at the anterior (front) of the mouth or posterior (back) and can impact both function and aesthetics, affecting chewing and speech.

Crowding refers to the situation where there is insufficient space in the dental arch for all teeth to fit properly, leading to misalignment. Crossbite describes a malocclusion where one or more of the upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth. Overbite is a condition where the upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower front teeth vertically, which is the opposite of an open bite. Understanding these terms is crucial for recognizing different types of malocclusion and their implications for dental health.