A deep overbite is not itself a problem. Many patients are
treated unnecessarily to “correct” a deep overbite because of
a mistaken idea that all deep overbites are unstable. Often
the “corrected” anterior relationship is less stable than the
deep overbite relationship. Analysis of every deep overbite
should always start with observing the relationship of the
lower incisal edges to determine if they meet a stable holding
contact on the upper anterior teeth. This analysis must be
done in centric relation, which means that mounted diagnostic
casts are essential whenever maximal intercuspation
is not at centric relation. Posterior interferences will have to
be eliminated on the casts to see where the lower incisal
edges will end up at complete closure to centric relation.
Patients with deep overbite relationships that do not provide
centric contacts for the anterior teeth are almost always
in trouble. Some form of treatment is indicated in most of
these patients. Patients with deep overbite relationships that
have stable anterior contact in centric relation are almost
never in trouble (from the arch relationship). The key word
in the preceding statement is stable: Such patients rarely
need corrective treatment. Just having anterior contact may
not be sufficient if the contact does not serve as a stop to prevent
continuous eruption of the lower anterior teeth.
Eruption of the lower anterior teeth into the gingival tissues
or into the palate is the number-one problem associated with
deep overbites. Treatment should always be designed to prevent
this from happening or to correct it in a stable fashion
if it has already occurred.