A deep bite is a malocclusion of the jaw that affects how your upper teeth and lower teeth align. The medical condition is characterized by having at least 2 mm of overlap between the upper teeth and the bottom teeth. In the following article, we will discuss what it means to have a deep bite, how it can affect your oral health, and most importantly what you can do about it. What Is a Deep Bite? A deep bite is a misalignment of the teeth where the upper teeth overlap the bottom teeth by at least 2 to 4 mm. This type of misalignment includes the back teeth as well. In other words, the upper jaw protrudes over the lower jaw when you close your mouth. You can be born with the condition, or acquire it later on in life due to injury or other changes in your oral health. What Causes a Deep Bite? There are numerous causes for a deep bite, we’ll discuss them all below. – Genetics Sometimes the cause of a deep bite is purely genetics. Some individuals have a genetic predisposition for this type of misalignment. Genetic causes for a deep bite will mean the condition will become visible to the patients early on in life. Genetic factors can present as having a small jaw for instance, which doesn’t give your teeth enough space to fit properly together. This overcrowding can lead to a deep bite, especially if the lower jaw is underdeveloped. Likewise, having a small jaw can affect how your teeth erupt. Where your molars may not fully erupt, your front teeth become overly engaged leading to a deep bite. – Tooth Loss Molars and premolars have numerous functions in the mouth besides chewing and grinding food. Both molars and the pre-molars are important to maintaining your bite dimensions as they offer support in the back of the mouth. Tooth loss that affects the posterior teeth means there is no support or balance, causing the upper and lower jaws to come closer together. As a result, the front teeth will experience a vertical overlap, leading to a deep bite. In dentistry, they call this phenomenon the overeruption of front teeth. Tooth loss can cause a deep bite or accentuate it as well, by causing the natural alignment of your teeth to shift and drift. This happens as the teeth neighboring the site of tooth loss attempt to close the gap. In summary, tooth loss, especially in the back of the mouth, can lead to a loss of support, tooth movement, and jaw repositioning, all of which cause the upper front teeth to overlap the lower teeth excessively, resulting in a deep bite. Side Effects of a Deep Bite A deep bite can cause several complications in your oral and general health. Some of these side effects may not be obvious and include tooth damage, especially around the front teeth where the overlapping occurs. The rubbing of the teeth against each other causes them to chip and wear down with time. Likewise, the distribution of the bite force with a deep bite puts a lot of pressure on the joints of the jaw. This leads to jaw pain, headaches, and jaw locking. Additionally, when the upper teeth overlap the bottom teeth, the bottom teeth will rub against the gums and palate of the upper jaw. This can lead to several gum conditions such as gum recession, sores, and even inflammation. Another side effect of having a deep bite includes teeth grinding. Other complications of a deep bite are very obvious, and these include issues with chewing and speech. Similarly, aesthetic concerns are among the popular complications of having a deep bite. How to Treat a Deep Bite There are several approaches in dentistry to treating a deep bite. You can discuss the following options with your dentist to see which treatment is best for you. Orthodontics Orthodontics is a sector of dentistry that focuses on treating dental misalignments and bite problems. From minor alignment issues to serious conditions like a deep bite, the field relies on the use of braces to correct any problems. Braces strategically apply pressure on your teeth in a way that causes the jawbone to shift and move. Therefore, the technologies in the field can correct your overbite. However, the issue with orthodontics is that it can take a while before you can see results. Another issue that people have had with orthodontics in the past is the chunky metallic look of the braces. But with modern technologies like lingual braces or Invisalign, these concerns are no longer a problem. Surgery Surgery is an option in really severe cases of a deep bite, where braces alone cannot fix the problem. During the surgery, your doctor will try to re-position your jaws back into the correct alignment. However, after surgery, you will still need to use braces to achieve the best results. Because the surgery focuses on repositioning the jawbone itself, it is most suitable for people who have a deep bite as a result of jaw problems rather than it being an issue with the alignment of their teeth alone. Tooth Extraction Tooth extraction can be a useful tool in treating a deep bite that is the result of overcrowding. Following the tooth extraction may still need to opt for braces to fix the alignment of your teeth. Veneers with a Deep Bite Veneers are a quick-fix solution for many aesthetic dental problems, like minor misalignment, chipping, discoloration, and so on. But they can’t be the first line of treatment for a deep bite. You can consider veneers following your orthodontic treatment, to solve issues caused by a deep bite such as chipping or discoloration. The Takeaway A deep bite is a dental condition that affects how your teeth overlap with each other. It can have serious effects on speech, bite and chewing, and overall oral health. If you have any inquiries, please contact us.