Comprehensive review demonstrates varied etiology and biomechanical solutions for deep bite malocclusion, highlighting the clinical distinction between skeletal and dental origins.
Key Points
To synthesize current evidence regarding the epidemiology, etiology, clinical consequences, and orthodontic and surgical management strategies for deep bite malocclusion.
Reviewed epidemiological data reporting deep bite prevalence ranging from 8.4% to 51.5% across diverse populations.
Evaluated biomechanical approaches across age groups, including functional appliances, continuous archwires, segmented intrusion arches, clear aligners, and temporary anchorage devices (TADs).
Assessed surgical interventions, such as anterior segmental osteotomy, alongside long-term post-treatment stability outcomes.
Deep bite arises from dentoalveolar discrepancies, a hypodivergent skeletal pattern, or both, leading to soft-tissue trauma, accelerated incisal wear, and temporomandibular disorder symptoms.
Meta-analyses show TAD-supported intrusion yields statistically greater overbite reduction compared with conventional continuous archwires, which primarily level the curve of Spee through posterior extrusion.
Most corrections remain substantially stable over the long term, although a partial relapse toward original vertical overbite values commonly occurs.