Severe, localized pathologic attrition on the palatal surfaces of maxillary incisors and the incisal edges of mandibular incisors is most commonly pathognomonic of which specific malocclusion?

 # Severe, localized pathologic attrition on the palatal surfaces of maxillary incisors and the incisal edges of mandibular incisors is most commonly pathognomonic of which specific malocclusion?

A. Severe Anterior Open Bite

B. Class II Division 2 Malocclusion (Deep Bite)

C. Unilateral Posterior Crossbite with functional shift

D. Class I Malocclusion with severe posterior crowding

The correct answer is: B. Class II Division 2 Malocclusion (Deep Bite)

This wear pattern—severe, localized pathologic attrition on the palatal surfaces of the maxillary incisors and the incisal edges of the mandibular incisors—is pathognomonic for Class II Division 2 malocclusion, which features retroclined maxillary central incisors and a deep overbite. In this condition, the mandibular incisors contact the lingual (palatal) aspects of the maxillary incisors during occlusion, leading to friction and progressive enamel loss at these sites over time. This contrasts with the other options: anterior open bite reduces incisal contact, unilateral posterior crossbite primarily affects lateral segments, and Class I with posterior crowding does not typically produce this anterior-specific lingual wear.