A deep bite is a common condition that relates to how your front and bottom teeth align.
If your upper front teeth come down too far over your bottom front teeth when you close your jaw, that’s considered a dental misalignment.
Your front bottom teeth showing a few millimeters or more is normal, but if your top teeth overlap your bottom teeth more than 4 mm, this could be considered a deep bite.
You should seek treatment for a deep bite because it can cause larger issues to your oral health like sores on the roof of your mouth and worn-down teeth.
There are a variety of treatments available to correct a deep bite.
Read on to learn more about how a deep bite is treated and the complications it can cause if left untreated.
A deep bite is a type of malocclusion. That’s a dental term for a misalignment between your upper and lower teeth, including your back molars.
Deep bites occur when your upper front teeth come down too far over your bottom front teeth when you close your jaw. Your bottom teeth showing a few millimeters or less is considered a deep bite.
You may develop a deep bite for several reasons, including from one or more of the following:
- genetics
- missing teeth
- jaw injury
- small jaw
- strong bite developed from grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw
- not enough room in your mouth for permanent teeth
A deep bite can happen to anyone, from young children to adults.
Deep bites affect
There are several ways to treat a deep bite. It’s likely you’ll visit an orthodontist or a dentist to discuss the treatment options for your condition.
Each case of deep bite needs to be considered individually. You may have other conditions related to deep bite that also need to be addressed during treatment. Your age may also affect your treatment plan.
Here are some different methods your doctor may suggest to treat your deep bite.
Tooth removal
Your doctor may recommend removing certain teeth to help realign your bite. This may involve removing teeth in the back of your mouth.
Children receiving treatment for deep bite may have baby or permanent teeth removed to help with alignment.
Dental appliances
There are many dental appliances that can help correct your deep bite.
- Braces are installed brackets on your teeth that are connected by wires that your doctor will tighten over the course of your treatment.
- Retainers are removable appliances made from wires and plastic that you can take out if needed, though you probably need to wear them for most hours in the day.
- Tray aligners are clear trays that align your teeth over time. They’re an alternative to braces.
Some dental appliances are prefabricated, and others are custom-made to fit your mouth.
One 2019 study stated that prefabricated appliances may work to reduce overbite, but they’re less effective than custom appliances and not used as commonly.
You may need to wear a dental appliance for several months or years to correct your deep bite and other orthodontic conditions.
Teeth repair
Your doctor may determine that repairing your back teeth will improve your deep bite. This may include adding implants or building up worn-down teeth with bonding to improve your teeth alignment.
Your doctor may recommend additional methods as well to address the deep bite.
Surgery
Your doctor may recommend jaw surgery to correct your deep bite if it’s caused by your bones. Surgery may be more appropriate for older teens or adults who are no longer growing.
Your entire treatment may include wearing braces or another dental appliance before and after the surgical procedure. Surgery may involve a hospital stay, general anesthesia, and several weeks of recovery.
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Correcting a deep bite will help you avoid complications that can arise from this condition. Many people seek to correct a deep bite for cosmetic reasons, but there are other reasons to treat it.
Complications from a deep bite include:
- worn-down lower teeth that compromise tooth structure and require dental interventions
- sores or ulcers that develop on the roof of your mouth
- crooked or cramped teeth that can’t be corrected until the deep bite is treated
- the development of a temporomandibular joint disorder
- problems when eating or drinking
- gum disease
Treating a deep bite will help avoid these complications as well as clear up any aesthetic concerns that may accompany this condition.
Putting off treatment or not following through on all aspects of the plan, like discontinuing use of a mouth appliance before the amount of time your doctor sets forth, can cause the condition to get worse.
As a result, it may require more invasive and expensive treatment later.
Deep bite is a common health condition. You may notice symptoms of deep bite and want to correct it for cosmetic reasons.
There are many reasons beyond looks to correct your deep bite. Treating your deep bite early can avoid more serious oral health conditions from developing.
A dentist can help determine a treatment plan to correct a deep bite that may involve tooth extraction, appliances, or other dental work.