Rückbiss

Rückbiss is a German term meaning "back bite." In German-language literature, it is used primarily in dental contexts to describe a specific occlusal relationship in which the contact between the upper and lower teeth is shifted toward the rear of the dental arches, or to denote a reverse bite pattern. The exact definition varies by author and context; some describe it as a pathological occlusion related to malocclusion, trauma, or developmental changes, while others use it to refer to a temporary functional repositioning of the jaw during movement.

In orthodontics and occlusion analysis, Rückbiss is discussed alongside other bite relationships such as Überbiss (overbite), Unterbiss (underbite), and Kreuzbiss (crossbite). Because the term is not universally standardized, clinicians may replace it with more precise descriptors of contact patterns, such as posterior bite, reverse contact, or transitory occlusal relation, depending on the clinical situation.

The term is predominantly used in dental contexts within German-language sources and is rarely encountered in English-language literature, where alternative terminology is typically preferred. Etymology: Rück means back, and Biss means bite.