Deep bite is a dental term for a person’s condition when, when the mouth is closed, the upper incisors overlap the lower ones. This leads to a distortion of proportions, facial features, looks unaesthetically from the side, can threaten health, gives rise to certain psychological complexes and self-doubt. In some cases, the term refers to the occlusion of incisors in a particularly deep form.
General concept
It is customary to distinguish several varieties of deep bite.
Frontal - an option when the palatine dental tubercle is in contact with the cutting tip of the tooth from below.
Decreasing - this is a variant of the structure when any of the incisors do not rely on the bulges on the gums, but slipping occurs. When identifying this kind of deep bite, it is necessary to help the patient restore the correct structure of the elements of the oral cavity - an anomaly indicates a deterioration in the state, progress of negative processes.
Such an abnormal structure is possible when the edges of the lower jaw incisors interact with the palatine tissues or the gum.
When examining the oral cavity, the dentist will not only say what kind of deep bite is being observed at the moment, but also explain what stage of the oral cavity deterioration is. For example, the first described abnormal structure is not a pathological bite, but a defect that can be eliminated without much difficulty. But in the absence of measures to balance it, there is a likelihood of a worsening of the state - a transition to the second stage and further is gradually observed.
Numbers and concepts
You need to understand that this classification system is rather arbitrary. Some doctors use it, others prefer not to divide the anomaly into species.
Based on the metric parameters of the structure of the elements of the oral cavity, a deep bite of the teeth can be considered one of three degrees:
- Up to 5 mm, a third or two-thirds of the height of the tooth - 1st degree.
- Up to 9 mm, from two-thirds to the entire height of the tooth - 2nd degree.
- More than 9 mm, more than the height of the tooth - 3rd degree.
Urgency of the problem
Correction of a deep bite is an important task, and you need to start working on a problem in a timely manner, barely able to identify it. Otherwise, a defective development of speech is possible. In case of malocclusion, the frontal teeth collide with excessive loads. Anatomically, this area is not prepared for one that leads to its gradual degradation. In addition, against the background of a malocclusion, the teeth are loosened, the face is distorted, and the gums become inflamed. Increased risk of injury to the oral cavity. Soft tissues are particularly susceptible to this. Therefore, there is a risk of foci of inflammation, stomatitis.
Correction of a deep bite allows you to normalize breathing, as a violation of the structure leads to improper formation of air retraction skills. In addition, the bite determines the process of swallowing, as the volume of the oral cavity decreases. In people with anomalies, the teeth wear out much faster than those with a structure that complies with the norms.
Treatment of a deep bite eliminates the deepening of the chin fold. If the elements of the oral cavity are improperly positioned, the lower lip visually thickens, the part of the face below does not seem long enough. Without timely measures to restore oral health, such consequences will be irreversible.
Treatment of a deep bite allows you to get rid of one of the causes of a headache: it is the structure of the cavity that can provoke it. With an abnormal bite, the chewing process is often accompanied by clicks, a crunch. The person himself feels pain in the joint of the lower jaw.
Bite: what happens?
There is a deep distal bite, neutral. The first type of deviation manifests itself as underdevelopment of the lower jaw, sloping chin. Looking at a person with such jaws, it seems as if the face is shorter than it should be. When examining the oral cavity, you can see that the maxillary teeth close located on the lower jaw from the opposite side. Overlap is comparable to the size of the crown.
Neutral deep bite in adults and children does not provoke chin changes. If you compare the ratio of parts of the face, you can see that the lower in size corresponds to the average or shorter than it, but not significantly. When examining the oral cavity, you can see that the upper incisors cover the lower. Overlapping corresponds to the size of the crown.
Where did the trouble come from?
Photos of a deep bite in abundance are presented in the portfolio of specialized dental clinics ready to provide services to eliminate this problem. If, when comparing images in such collections and reflections in a mirror, a person understands that the condition describes the structure of his mouth inherent to him, you should consult a doctor. At the same time, many people think: why did the problem appear? Doctors have several answers to this. It is customary to distinguish three groups of phenomena:
- heredity;
- features of fetal development in the mother's body;
- factors influencing after birth.
It is known that a deep bite in a child may appear if the mother was sick with viral, metabolic, endocrine pathologies. Maternal anemia can lead to abnormal formation of the oral cavity. In some cases, the reason is the pathological processes that accompanied pregnancy, abnormal development of the fetus while it is in the mother's body.
There are many options
Soon, it will be possible to notice already in a child’s photo a deep bite in a child if the baby sucks the nipple for a long time or is used to sucking a finger, and adults do not help him fight it. The distortion of the structure of the oral cavity can remain for life.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, digestive system, ENT organs can lead to deep bite. Caries and maxillary osteomyelitis, too early loss of primary teeth - lateral, molars, play their role. The above are the risks of anomalies in injured persons with impaired swallowing, breathing, speaking, and sucking functions. If the teeth are cut, changed from milk to permanent at the wrong time, it is likely that you will need to see a doctor with a deep bite. How to fix the jaw anatomy, the doctor can tell only after a thorough examination of the oral cavity.
There are known cases when the malocclusion developed due to anomalies due to the prenatal period.
According to doctors, about 20% of all violations of the structure of teeth and gums - this is exactly a deep bite.
Reasons and consequences
It is known that without treatment, a deep bite in adults and children can cause:
- biting the lips;
- violation of posture;
- mouth breathing;
- infantile swallowing.
In some cases, muscle tone significantly higher than normal is detected.
Health in childhood is the guarantee of a happy life
Some time ago, German experts conducted studies that revealed: correction of a deep bite in children is most often necessary due to congenital malformations. The problem is expressed while the baby has milk teeth. When changing them to permanent, an independent correction of the situation is possible. If the child had an abnormally deep bite with milk teeth, he is included in the high-risk group and the condition is monitored. It is likely that treatment will be needed in the future.
Doctors advise: if there is no desire on their own experience or on the experience of their child to find out what is the difference “before and after” a deep bite, it is necessary to prevent anomalies. To do this, you need to control the oral hygiene, maintain proper posture. Parents should pay attention to how often the child breathes. If your teeth hurt, you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner. Often, it is caries and other dental diseases that lead to malocclusion. It is recommended to use bottles with special nipples for feeding babies.
What to do?
You can see expressive before and after photos in the portfolio of almost any modern dental clinic. Treatment of a deep bite is possible with the help of special crowns. If the patient is a minor, use prostheses without metal components.
Doctors assure: the best effect will be, if you start to deal with the problem, we barely managed to notice it. The best results are achieved by the course that started when the milk teeth began to be cut, when they change to permanent 1st, 2nd molars or incisors.
The risk of tooth loss is minimal if treatment of a deep bite is started as early as possible. Before and after this period, the patient even looks different: often the right treatment allows you to change the proportions of the face for the better. But the aesthetic effect is far from the only one. A timely started course will allow you to save your teeth longer, because with an abnormal bite, the likelihood of loosening is high, and as a result, loss.
To eliminate anomalies, resort to orthodontic structures. Several types of braces, special plates, prostheses have been developed. Studies have shown that they are all quite effective.
Rules and strategies
Often, parents of children under the age of six are interested in the clearly shown features of a deep bite in the photo before and after treatment. If we pay attention to the experience of modern clinics, we can say with confidence that successful treatment is possible in the vast majority of cases. Mostly doctors offer a comprehensive program. First, the cavity is examined for pathologies, the treatment of all the diseases found is prescribed. The menu is complemented by solid dishes. The task of parents is to help the child get rid of bad habits. We'll have to make sure that the child does not suck, nibble. If part of the teeth is lost, you need to restore the dentition. If the lingual bridle does not grow correctly, an operation to correct it is prescribed. As a result of all these measures, the bite is corrected.
If an anomaly is detected in a child of the age group of 6-12 years, more active measures are needed to restore oral health. Use mouthguards, records, trainers. Using these structures, you can return to normal bite, adjusting the growth and development of individual teeth.
For patents over the age of twelve, orthodontic appliances have been developed for adults. There are two types:
The former are intended for installation on the posterior dental plane, the latter on the anterior. These devices are not designed to be removed.
The nuances of treatment
Orthodontic plates can be placed when sixth teeth are cut (usually at 5-6 years), as well as seventh. This occurs more often in children 9-12 years old. You can put the plates with the appearance of permanent fangs, molars.
Often there are such cases when the dentist directs to a speech therapist, gives strict instructions on getting rid of bad habits and recommends that all teeth be carefully cured. No additional procedures are assigned, the equipment is not installed. As a rule, the doctor explains this by the need to resort to fixed structures only if soft methods do not give a pronounced result after 6-12 months. If the doctor offers just such a strategy, it is important to listen: it is probably optimal for a particular case.
Treatment: adult patients
For the older age group of patients, quite a lot of bracket options have been developed. Most popular raw materials:
Systems exist:
Choose a specific one based on preferences, budget, individual characteristics, doctor's recommendations.
In conclusion, a retention period is prescribed. At this time, the patient is shown to use such devices, with which the teeth are fixed in the correct position. Usually these are removable plates that the patient puts on in the evening, removes them in the morning, although the doctor may recommend designs for continuous use. To fix fixed products, hypoallergenic glue is used that fastens the plates to the dentition.
How long to use the systems, the doctor will say. Usually, the period varies from a year to two years, but individual deviations are possible both in a larger and a smaller direction. The doctor will prescribe repeated appointments in order to monitor progress in eliminating the anomaly.
Trainers
Such devices for correcting the occlusion of the mouth are made removable. They are put on a limited time period chosen by the doctor. Trainers are made of silicone, put on both the lower and upper rows of teeth at the same time. Since the teeth are in the correct position, the anomaly is gradually eliminated.
The ease of use of trainers is due to the versatility of sizes. Assign such a system, select and purchase is quite simple. However, you need to consider that there are different types of trainers. Basic models are usually painted in a blue tint. These are flexible, soft devices. They are prescribed in the predominant percentage of cases. Duration of use - from six months to 8 months. The trainer is used all night, for an hour or more during the day. Using technology, you can not talk and eat. You can’t even touch the trainer.
After this course, final trainers are appointed. They are usually made in pink. In comparison with the basic models, they are more dense, rigid. They are designed to be used for at least six months, sometimes the course is extended for a year. With these products, you can fix the acquired correct bite and improve it, as well as prevent degeneration. The device is quite flexible, so its use is not associated with significant discomfort.
Trainers, as experts assure, are optimal for people of 6-10 years of age. The effectiveness of their use in this period is close to one hundred percent.
Capa
These are systems designed to fix the dentition completely. To some extent, the mouthguards are similar to braces. Items are made of biological silicone, hypoallergenic plastic. A person using mouthguards looks quite aesthetically pleasing. The design features are such that the instruments help align the dentition due to mechanical influence. The process is quite lengthy, but significant progress is observed over time.
Mouthguards help with diastema, solve the problem of cross bite, and are effective for twisted teeth. They are indispensable if whitening is prescribed. If the patient is recommended braces, but for objective reasons, their use is impossible, the system is replaced specifically with mouthguards. It is recommended to use them in the supporting period of bite recovery.
You can use mouthguards not only with a deep bite, but also with other abnormalities in the structure of the oral cavity. They are suitable for patients of all age groups, as effective as possible if the pathology is simple. If the situation is difficult, braces must be used. True, there is a drawback: the mouthguards are not cheap.
Types and Types
There are several varieties of mouthguards. The most affordable for the general public are standard products. They are produced in series, but are not suitable for pronounced individual features of the structure of the jaw. Such mouthguards can not be used with any dentition.
Thermoplastic - more applicable than standard products, however, they can not be used for any diagnosis. Before you start using the system, it is heated, then put on your teeth. Gradually, the product cools down, shrinks in shape and is firmly fixed on the dentition.
The most expensive, but the most successful option is custom-made systems. To make the mouthguards, the doctor first receives a cast of the patient's jaws. To do this, resort to the technology of three-dimensional modeling. Often, the mouthguards are filled with whitening gel to simultaneously not only correct the bite, but also get aesthetic, beautiful teeth at the end of the program.
Records
Such bite correction systems can only be used in childhood - they are ineffective for adults. Instruments are made of high-quality plastic, attached to the gums, by means of brackets mounted on the teeth. Visually from the side to see the plate is impossible. The process of their application does not cause severe discomfort, and specific oral care is not required.
Braces
This option is optimal if correction of the bite to an adult patient is necessary. It is believed that with a deep bite, they are the most reliable and effective method. Several varieties have been developed. , , . , . , . , . , . , , – , .
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One of the most invisible to the outside observer is plastic braces. The color of the material used to make them simulates the surface of the teeth. True, there is a certain weakness - food can tint plastic. Strength also leaves much to be desired, so you have to regularly visit the dentist to glue the system.
Ceramic braces are more expensive than those made from other materials, but they are almost the most inconspicuous, strong and durable. True, there were some drawbacks here too: because of the increased degree of friction, it is necessary to use braces for a long time.
The most expensive are sapphire braces. They are almost impossible to see with the naked eye.
Finally, there are lingual braces. Such a stranger also cannot be seen, since the system is attached not from the outside of the dentition, but from the inside. They cost a lot, as they are manufactured to meet the needs of a particular client - all products are strictly individual. If any element of the brackets breaks, you will have to change the design completely - there are no spare consumables, nothing will be picked up.
To bet or not?
As can be seen from the reviews of people who used bite correction devices, such products are effective, although at first they are rather inconvenient. Parents note that the kids may be capricious the first time after installing the systems. However, the result, as many assure in the responses, is worth enduring a slight discomfort.