One of the most prevalent orthodontic problems that millions of individuals have to deal with is a deep overbite. This condition, also referred to as a deep bite, is the opposite of the underbite, where the upper front teeth strongly overlap the lower front teeth, covering them more excessively than in a healthy bite.
Although a certain amount of overlap is usual, a deep bite can cause problems when the upper teeth overlap more than half of the lower teeth or the lower teeth hit the roof of the mouth.
More Than Just Appearance
In an ideal bite, the lower teeth are supposed to be covered by the upper teeth by about 2-3 millimetres. In a deep overbite, however, this overlapping is excessive and in some cases, the lower teeth can totally be hidden behind the upper ones in a frontal view. Such a misalignment does not just influence the appearance of your smile but also the way your teeth perform when eating and speaking.
The severity of the condition can range from mild forms where the overlap is just more than normal to severe forms where the lower teeth may literally bite into the gum tissue behind the upper teeth. This is what makes the differences in the severity which dictates the urgency and complexity of treatment needed.
Common Causes Behind Deep Bite Development
Genetics is a huge factor in jaw size and tooth placement, as it is commonly seen to run within families. In the event that your parents had bite problems, you stand a better chance of developing the same problems.
Habits of childhood also play an important role in the development of the bite. Thumb sucking, the use of pacifier excessively or tongue thrusting may change the natural development of the teeth and jaws. Also, premature loss of primary teeth without maintaining the space can lead to permanent teeth emerging in the wrong position.
Additional factors are teeth grinding (bruxism) that may lead to the wearing of back teeth and over-eruption of front teeth. A deep bite can also be caused by poor development of the jaw because of mouth breathing or other medical reasons.
Recognizing the Symptoms
The visual manifestation of too much tooth overlap is the most apparent symptom of a deep overbite. Nonetheless, most individuals are unaware of this condition until they develop complications associated with it. Tongue biting, inner cheeks biting, inability to produce some sounds, and jaw pain or clicking are common.
Headaches, neck tension, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are also prevalent in many individuals with deep bites. This overload on some of the teeth may lead to premature wear and chipping or loss of the tooth in the long run. Also common are gum problems, wherein the lower teeth can rub against the gum tissue behind the upper teeth.
Modern Correction Options
Conventional teeth braces are still very effective in correcting a deep bite. Such systems employ the use of brackets and wires to gently push teeth into the right positions over time, frequently with the use of specialized appliances to intrude the front teeth or extrude the back teeth as necessary.
To cater to the needs of people who want a more discrete solution, invisible braces in Dubai and other clear aligner systems have transformed the way orthodontic treatment is performed. They are removable and transparent aligners capable of treating many deep bite cases with the added benefit of ease of maintenance and enhanced aesthetics during treatment.
Some extreme cases may require surgical intervention especially where the size of the jaws is a contributing factor. Nevertheless, non-surgical orthodontic methods have a good chance of correcting most instances of deep bite.
Signing Off
Deep bite correction can not only enhance the aesthetics of the smile but also improve oral functionality, decrease wear patterns, and eliminate future problems. With modern treatment, processes like correcting the bite alignment have been more comfortable and convenient than ever.
