Dental misalignments or dental flaws are commonly looked at as an aesthetic concern more than a health concern. However, jaw positioning and straight teeth are vital for a healthy smile, which is a major indicator of good health. Just like other malocclusions, Deep bite is too misinterpreted as a concern for looks. Deep bite is more than just an aesthetic issue as it can affect a person’s ability to speak, breathe, and chew properly; in short, it can affect his overall quality of life.
In this article, we will discuss the definition, types, potential risks, and treatment procedures for deep bites.
What is Deep Bite
A deep bite is a type of malocclusion, a dental term for a misalignment between your upper and lower teeth, including your back molars. Also known as an overbite, in this condition, your upper front teeth come down too far over your bottom front teeth when you close your jaw. If you have a deep bite, it may indicate you have other health concerns that need to be addressed.
Causes of Deep Bite:
Deep Bite can occur depending on many factors, such as:
- Genetic factors
- External factors
- Habitual Behaviours
Genetic Factors:
A deep bite results from misalignment of the teeth and jaw, and it is often caused by hereditary factors when any of the parents pass the misalignment to the child. It can also be caused by poor jaw development during the formative years of a child, which may get worse over time.
External Factors:
Other than genetic reasons, there are some external factors resulting in a deep bite. In such cases, the appearance or condition of an existing deep bite can be exacerbated by:
- Premature loss of baby teeth
- Jaw or facial trauma caused by an accident
- Poor dental work
Habitual Factors:
A deep bite is often the result of a small lower jaw. When the lower jaw is shorter than the upper jaw, the upper teeth appear more forward than the lower teeth. Habits such as
- Thumb sucking,
- Pacifier use,
- Prolonged bottle feeding,
- Tongue thrusting
- Nail-biting
- Improper swallowing patterns and
- Mouth breathing can contribute to a deep bite.
Also, extremely strong biting muscles, common in patients who clench or grind their teeth, can deepen the bite.
Signs and Symptoms of Deep Bite
Excessive overlapping of upper front teeth:
The primary sign of a deep bite is the overlapping of the upper front teeth. The upper front teeth mostly cover the lower front teeth, causing many difficulties for the patient.
Difficulty biting into food:
This misalignment typically causes difficulty biting into food. The patients need to be careful when chewing their food to digest it properly.
Jaw pain or discomfort:
Overlapping of upper front teeth due to the misalignment often causes jaw discomfort and pain.
Speech impairments:
Speech clarity is restricted in such conditions when your upper and lower teeth are not aligned properly. It’s common to develop lisps while pronouncing a few words or statements.
Wear and tear on teeth:
Excessive overlapping of the upper frontal teeth can damage the enamel of the lower front teeth, causing wear and tear on teeth.
Frequent headaches:
Patients may experience frequent headaches due to poor jaw alignment.
Difficulty breathing while sleeping:
Patients may often experience difficulty breathing while sleeping.
Risks and Complications:
Dental problems:
A deep bite is more than an aesthetic concern. If not treated on time, it may develop serious issues like tooth decay, gum disease, enamel wear, etc. Moreover, over-erupted lower front teeth tend to wear down more quickly. Patients who clench or grind their lower teeth experience excessive wear that can result in the loss of tooth structure.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD):
Deep bites can cause more serious issues, such as temporomandibular joint disorder, which affects the overall jaw alignment. This may lead to one or more health hassles.
Improper nutrition:
If a patient is biting into the roof of their mouth, painful sores or ulcers may develop. These can make normal eating very uncomfortable, causing a selective diet that leads to poor digestion and other issues.
Aesthetic concerns:
It may affect the patient’s overall aesthetics, making them less likely to communicate with others or hide their smiles.
Facial asymmetry:
Malocclusion like this can affect facial muscle strain or imbalance, leading to the appearance of facial features, including jaw or facial asymmetry.
Psychological impact:
Any form of Malocclusion is a visible kind of issue that very easily draws attention to the mouth, which is not very healthy for the sufferers’ psychological condition.
Worsening of dental conditions:
Unfolding the crowding and crookedness that usually accompanies deep bites requires that the deep bite be corrected to allow room to align the crowded teeth.
Orthodontic challenges:
If a substantial amount of tooth structure has been lost, the orthodontist will need to recreate the space required for restoration by moving the upper and lower teeth apart (opening the bite).
Diagnosis of Deep Bite
Diagnosing Deep bite usually involves a comprehensive oral examination, including an assessment of the bite, tooth position, and jaw alignment by a dentist or orthodontist. They may take X-rays, digital scans, and photographs of your teeth and bite to get a better understanding of the underlying issues. The following tests may determine a deep bite:
Bite analysis:
A bite analysis is a diagnostic tool used to assess the way a person’s upper and lower teeth come together when biting. The dentist or orthodontist observes the patient’s bite and determines if there are any problems, such as an overbite or underbite. A bite analysis can also be used to determine whether orthodontic treatment is necessary and to determine the position of the jaw and teeth.
Dental X-rays:
This is an essential diagnostic tool for assessing a patient’s oral health and identifying the root of any dental issues. Dental X-rays can provide detailed images of the teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures, which can help the dentist or orthodontist identify any issues that may be contributing to an overbite.
Orthodontic models:
Orthodontic models are physical replicas of a patient’s teeth and jaws. They can be made from dental impressions and used to study the patient’s bite and determine the best course of effective treatment. Orthodontic models can also be used to plan and design orthodontic appliances, such as braces or clear aligners.
Panoramic X-rays:
A panoramic X-ray is a type of dental X-ray that provides a broad, detailed view of the patient’s mouth and jaw. This type of X-ray is useful for evaluating the entire jaw and dental arch and can help the dentist or orthodontist identify any issues that may be contributing to an overbite. It can also be used to assess the growth and development of the jaw and teeth and determine the need for orthodontic treatment.
Your doctor may also ask about your medical and dental history and any symptoms you may be experiencing. With this information, they can identify the kind and degree of the overbite and create a treatment strategy.
Treatment Options for Deep Bite
The underlying cause and severity of an overbite determine the appropriate course of treatment. Some common treatments include orthodontic treatment, surgery and medications. Depending on the type of treatment used and the severity of the illness, the recovery period for overbite treatment varies. Orthodontic treatment may take several months to years, while surgery may require a few weeks to several months of recovery time. Here are some of the remedies that could be suggested:
Orthodontic treatment:
Orthodontic treatment is the most common method for correcting overbites. Braces or transparent aligners are used to reposition the teeth into a more acceptable position. Depending on the severity of the overbite and the patient’s response to treatment, the course of treatment may last anywhere from six months to two years.
- Braces: Traditional metal braces use brackets and wires to apply pressure to the teeth and slowly move them into the correct position.
- Aligners: Clear aligners are made-to-order trays that fit over the teeth and are switched out every two weeks as the teeth gradually shift. Due to their convenience, this is a more popular option these days.
- Your Orthodontist can perform tooth removal or extractions to retain the normal shape of the teeth alignment.
Jaw surgery:
In more severe cases of overbite, Orthognathic surgery or jaw surgery may be necessary to correct the bite and reposition the jaw. Although this technique is more intrusive and needs a longer recovery period, it may produce a more long-lasting recovery.
Tooth recontouring or reshaping:
Reshaping or contouring is a cosmetic procedure that changes the shape or size of a tooth in situations where teeth are larger, overlapping, or there are issues.
Combination treatment:
In some cases, orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery may be necessary to achieve the desired result. This can be recommended when both dental and skeletal issues cause the overbite.
Behavioural modification:
Another way to stop overbites is to change one’s behaviour. This involves changing habits that may be contributing to the overbite, such as thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting, or nail-biting.
Retainer use:
After orthodontic treatment, the use of a retainer is often recommended to help maintain the new position of the teeth. Retainers can be worn full-time for a while, then gradually phased out to nighttime-only wear.
Dental Appliances: Other dental appliances such as bite plates can also be used to treat a deep bite.
Prevention and Management:
- Early intervention and treatment: Like any other dental misalignment, if the signs and symptoms of a deep bite are clearly visible, medical intervention should be sought as early as possible for the best outcomes.
- Proper oral habits (avoiding thumb-sucking, pacifiers): Habits, such as thumb-sucking, prolonged use of pacifiers, etc, should be avoided from an early age.
- Regular monitoring and adjustments: Check-ups, consultations and adjustments should be done at regular intervals with your orthodontics.
How much does corrective treatment cost for a deep bite?
On average, orthodontic treatment in India can cost anywhere from 20,000 to 1,00,000 rupees to treat a deep bite. The price of treatment goes up to Rs. 2 lakhs or more depending upon the type of treatment, the severity of the condition, and the location of the clinic.
Tips for maintaining good oral hygiene habits
Follow instructions from your orthodontist:
Follow the advice of your orthodontist. Your orthodontist will provide you with detailed instructions on how to take care of your teeth and mouth. To guarantee proper recovery and avoid any issues, be sure to adhere to the following guidelines strictly.
Keep your mouth clean:
Brush and floss your teeth regularly to remove any plaque or food particles that can cause infections. Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria and promote healing.
Avoid hard, crunchy or chewy foods:
For a few days or months after the treatment, avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods to avoid damage to the teeth and gums. Stick to soft foods like scrambled eggs, soup, and pudding.
Wear protective gear if necessary:
If your orthodontist recommends wearing a mouthguard or other protective gear, make sure to wear it as directed.
Attend follow-up appointments:
It’s important to attend your follow-up appointments as scheduled to monitor your progress and ensure that the treatment is working as expected. If necessary, your orthodontist may need to modify the recommended course of action.
Avoid smoking:
Smoking might delay recovery and raise the possibility of problems. Similarly, chewing tobacco can put extra pressure on the teeth and gums, which can also slow down the healing process.
Final Verdict
Deep bite is a common health condition worldwide. You may notice symptoms of deep bite and want to correct it for cosmetic reasons. However, there are many reasons beyond looks to correct your deep bite. Teeth alignment issues or malocclusions like a deep bite, open bite, crossbite, etc., are not negligible concerns. Timely medical attention can easily fix these conditions by providing you with a healthy smile.
Remember, treating your deep bite early can prevent more serious oral health conditions from developing. An experienced orthodontist with advanced orthodontic care and treatment can help determine a treatment plan to correct a deep bite efficiently. Just take the correct step as soon as you notice the given signs and symptoms.
FAQs
No. A deep bite present in childhood doesn’t correct without any treatment, and untreated bite issues may get worse over time. This is why experts recommend beginning the treatment as early as possible.
It depends on the type of treatment. If the condition is treatable with dental equipment like braces or Invisible clear aligners, then this process is time-worthy and doesn’t involve any pain. If the condition requires surgery, tooth extraction, etc., then a little pain is expected.
Depending on the seriousness of the condition, several treatment options are available for correcting deep bites, such as orthodontic devices, surgery, therapies, etc. Besides traditional braces, which have multiple disadvantages, clear aligners are a much more comfortable and convenient treatment option for deep bites among teens and young adults. These aligners can cure a deep bite within 6-12 months, depending on the severity of the concern.
Early treatment is highly beneficial in deep bites. Whenever you notice the signs and symptoms, you should consult your nearest dentist without wasting time.
Depending on the type of treatment used and the severity of the illness, the recovery period for overbite treatment varies. Orthodontic treatment involving braces and clear aligners may take several months to years, while surgery may require a few weeks to several months of recovery time.
References:
https://www.oraljournal.com/pdf/2019/vol5issue4/PartD/5-4-69-519.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6491166
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1073874613000558
