The
dental arches are the two (crescent arrangements) of
teeth, one on each
jaw, that together constitute the
dentition. In humans and many other species, the
superior (
maxillary or upper) dental arch is slightly larger than the
inferior (
mandibular or lower) arch, so that in the normal condition the teeth in the
maxilla (upper jaw) slightly overlap those of the
mandible (lower jaw) both in front and at the sides. The way that the jaws, and thus the dental arches, approach each other when the
mouth closes, which is called the
occlusion, determines the occlusal relationship of opposing teeth, and it is subject to
malocclusion (such as
crossbite) if facial or
dental development was imperfect.