What Is a Deep Bite and Why Does It Matter? Causes, Risks and Treatment

A deep bite is a type of overbite in which the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth more than what’s considered normal. The lower teeth may be partly hidden, or even almost completely covered, when the mouth is closed. This can be more than a cosmetic concern, particularly when the lower teeth bite into the gums or palate, or there’s significant tooth wear.

Most of us may check the mirror for crooked teeth, gaps or discolouration, but never think about how the teeth overlap vertically. You may not notice the overlap at all, especially if your teeth look relatively straight. Sometimes a deep bite is picked up during a routine dental or orthodontic examination rather than because it has caused symptoms. Orthodontists classify a deep bite as a vertical malocclusion because it involves excessive vertical overlap between the upper and lower front teeth.

In this blog, we cover deep bite causes and effects, and how orthodontists correct it.

Deep bite vs overbite: what’s the difference?

A small amount of vertical overlap between the upper and lower front teeth is normal and helps guide the jaw when you chew. That’s overbite. A deep bite, however, occurs when that overlap is excessive, particularly if the lower teeth bite into the gums or palate. The lower teeth may be mostly or fully hidden when the back teeth come together.

How to tell them apart

• With a normal overbite, the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth to a limited extent.
• With a deep bite, the vertical overlap is excessive, and the lower front teeth may be largely or completely hidden.

If the overlap looks excessive or the lower teeth are disappearing, an orthodontic assessment can confirm whether there’s a problem worth addressing.

What causes a deep bite?

A deep bite has either a dental cause, where individual teeth sit in the wrong position, or a skeletal cause, where the jaws themselves are out of proportion. Working out which one, or a combination of both, shapes the treatment approach.

Dental causes

Teeth that erupt too far or tilt inwards can deepen the overlap. Changes such as missing or prematurely lost back teeth can also alter the way the teeth meet over time, while genetics can influence the development of a deep bite. Depending on the severity and the position of the teeth, these cases may be treated with braces or clear aligners.

Skeletal causes

A skeletal deep bite is related to the size, position or growth pattern of the jaws. The relationship between the upper and lower jaws can affect how deeply the front teeth overlap, and in these cases moving the teeth alone may not be enough.

Why does a deep bite matter?

An untreated deep bite can create friction between the upper and lower teeth over time. Here’s what that can cause:

• Tooth wear: the lower front teeth can grind against the backs of the upper ones, leading to worn edges and sensitivity.
• Gum damage: lower teeth can press into the gum behind the upper teeth, causing soreness or damage to the gum tissue.
• Jaw symptoms: some people with a deep bite also experience jaw-joint symptoms, but a deep bite isn’t necessarily the cause of clicking, jaw pain or headaches. Your orthodontist will consider your bite alongside any symptoms you have.

The British Orthodontic Society notes that a deep bite can cause tooth wear and potentially damage the gums, particularly where the lower teeth bite into the back of the upper teeth. Since enamel doesn’t grow back, significant tooth wear may eventually need restorative treatment such as bonding or, in more extensive cases, a crown. Not every deep bite causes trouble, though, so an orthodontic assessment is the best way to establish whether yours is likely to need treatment.

How is a deep bite diagnosed?

An orthodontist diagnoses a deep bite by examining how your teeth and jaws relate to one another. Depending on your needs, this may include photographs, digital scans and X-rays to understand the position of the teeth and jaws and plan treatment.

A dentist can spot a deep bite at a routine check-up. At Hampstead Orthodontic Practice, a first appointment usually follows these steps:

1. We check how your upper and lower teeth meet.
2. We examine your gums and the soft tissue behind your upper teeth.
3. We take digital scans and X-rays where needed.
4. We assess your face and jaw joints, then discuss a treatment plan with you.

Such a full clinical assessment is recommended before an orthodontic treatment plan is made. This helps your orthodontist choose an approach suited for your bite issue and long-term needs.

How is a deep bite treated?

Orthodontists correct a deep bite by opening the bite. Treatment may involve intruding the front teeth, changing the position of the back teeth, or combining different tooth movements. The right approach depends on what’s causing the deep bite.

Braces and aligners

Fixed braces can be used for a wide range of deep bites, including cases involving more complex tooth movements. Small raised pads, called bite turbos, may be used to prevent the lower teeth from knocking the brackets during early treatment.

Can Invisalign fix a deep bite?

Clear aligners such as Invisalign can correct some deep bites, particularly mild-to-moderate cases. The evidence for more complex or skeletal cases is less certain, so fixed braces or additional orthodontic techniques may be more appropriate.

Surgery and repair work

In some cases, adults with a significant jaw discrepancy may need orthognathic (jaw) surgery alongside orthodontics. If wear has already affected the teeth, bonding or restorative work can be considered once the bite has been corrected.

How long does it take to fix a deep bite?

Treatment time depends on the severity and cause of the deep bite, the movements needed, and the appliance chosen, so a reliable estimate only comes after assessment. Many comprehensive orthodontic treatments take around 12 to 24 months, though a straightforward deep bite may be corrected more quickly and complex cases can take longer. Discuss this with your orthodontist once they’ve assessed your bite.

Children, teens and adults

For children, treatment timing depends on how the teeth and jaws are developing. In some cases, early treatment can help address a developing bite problem; in others, it may be better to wait until more permanent teeth have erupted. In teenagers and adults, treatment is planned around the position of the teeth, the relationship between the jaws and, where relevant, how much facial growth remains.

Retention

Teeth can move after orthodontic treatment, so wearing retainers as advised is an important part of maintaining the correction. Retention is an important part of orthodontic treatment because teeth can move after active treatment, and a deep bite can relapse if the teeth aren’t held in their new position.

Ready to correct a deep bite in London?

A deep bite is an excessive vertical overlap between the upper and lower front teeth. Not every case causes problems, and severity ranges from mild to significant, but you can’t tell where yours sits without a proper assessment.

Treatment depends on whether the cause is dental, skeletal or a mix of both. Braces and clear aligners can correct many cases effectively. More complex situations, particularly those involving the jaw relationship, may need a different approach or take longer. An assessment helps establish what’s causing the deep bite, which treatments are suitable and how long treatment is likely to take. You can then make a decision based on your own needs rather than guesswork.

If you think you or your child has a deep bite, a consultation is the straightforward way to find out what’s involved. Get in touch to book your appointment at Hampstead Orthodontic Practice.

FAQs

Is a deep bite serious?

It depends. Some deep bites cause no symptoms and remain stable for years. Others can lead to tooth wear, gum damage or jaw discomfort over time. The only way to know how significant yours is, and whether treatment is worth pursuing, is an orthodontic assessment.

What happens if a deep bite is left untreated?

An untreated deep bite can gradually wear down tooth enamel, cause the lower teeth to press into the gum or palate, and in some cases contribute to jaw discomfort. Enamel damage that builds up over years can eventually need restorative work to repair.

Can a deep bite get worse over time?

It can. Deep bites can change over time, particularly where there’s ongoing tooth wear or other changes in the position and condition of the teeth. An orthodontist can assess whether your bite is changing and whether treatment could help.

Do I need a specialist orthodontist to treat a deep bite?

For straightforward cases, a dentist with orthodontic training may be able to help. For anything more complex – particularly if there's a skeletal element or significant tooth wear – an assessment by a specialist orthodontist may be appropriate.

Can a deep bite cause headaches or jaw pain?

Some people with a deep bite do experience jaw-joint symptoms, but a deep bite isn’t necessarily the direct cause. The relationship between bite and jaw symptoms is more complicated than a simple cause and effect. If you have jaw pain, clicking or headaches alongside a deep bite, mention both to your orthodontist so they can consider them together rather than in isolation.