The skeletodental adaptations in deep bite correction

The purpose of this study was to analyze the skeletal and dental changes produced by orthodontic correction of a deep bite. A comparison was made between the adolescents' and the adults' responses in an attempt to observe any differences that accounted for increased stability in a growing patient. Records on 30 patients were analyzed before and after treatment. These patients were divided into two equal groups on the basis of their stage of maturational development. The group of “growers” had an average age of 12.2 years, and the group of “nongrowers” averaged 26.7 years in age. All represented nonextraction cases with an excessive overbite before treatment. Deep bite was corrected by leveling with conventional continuous arch wires. Cervical headgear, Class II, or vertical elastics were used when indicated. On the average, the molars were extruded 4.7 mm in the grower's group. However, the mandibular plane angles did not change during treatment. This finding can be attributed to the greater amount of posterior mandibular development that was observed in growing patients. Even with minimal extrusion of the molars (1.3 mm on average), the adults did not maintain the original mandibular plane angle.