Deep bite is a type of teeth misalignment that can affect your appearance to a large extent, besides leading to multiple oral health problems. It is a condition that can be corrected with timely intervention, proper diagnosis, and with the aid of the correct line of treatment. Appliances such as clear aligners and braces are mostly used to treat deep bite, out of which the former has become a popular choice in recent times due to multiple reasons. Let us find out more…
What is deep bite?
When your upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth, the condition is known as overbite. The overlap is mostly vertical and present in little proportions in most people. However, if the upper teeth cover too much of the lower teeth, the overbite is considered extreme and known as deep bite. It is mostly the result of unhealthy childhood habits like extended use of pacifiers or thumb sucking as well as tongue thrust. Among teenagers and adults, bad habits such as biting nails, chewing objects like pens and pencils, or teeth grinding can lead to the development of overbite. An uncorrected deep bite can lead to the following issues:
- Breathing problems
- Difficulty in chewing
- Speech problems
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay or cavities
- Pain in the jaw pain
Clear aligners for treatment
Despite its complexity, deep bite can be fixed, and using clear aligners is one of the best methods. Clear aligners are custom-made to fit the shape of your teeth. You have to change into a new set of aligners every week to keep the treatment going. Once worn, they apply pressure from either direction on the teeth and move them to their desired position. The aligners should be worn for 22 hours a day and opened only while eating or brushing/flossing your teeth for best results. At the end of the treatment tenure, based on the corrected position of your teeth, your orthodontist will prescribe retainers, which you will need to wear to keep the teeth shifting back to their earlier position. Deep bite is a serious teeth misalignment and has a major impact on your dental health and appearance. Correcting it early on is the best way to go about it. OrthoFX clear aligners are perfect for treating such issues. If you are still in two minds about the status and treatment of your deep bite, take a free online assessment with OrthoFX to see if you are a candidate and start off on your smile journey!
References
- https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03641196
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6491166/
