Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Deep Bite is commonly associated with functional problems such as attrition of mandibular teeth, temporomandibularjoint disorders and muscular pain and hence, correction of deep bite is crucial for prevention of temporomandibular joint disorders as well as maintenance of dental and skeletal hard tissues and facial soft tissues. In depth examination of underlying skeletal and dental factorsis important and vital for planning an effective, efficient individual treatment plan. The literature available on the etiology of dental and skeletal factors in deep bite cases is scarce and needs to be updated from time to time. The purpose of this descriptive survey were to explore frequencies of dental and skeletal etiological factors in deep bite patients and to determine correlations among etiological factors (dental and skeletal) of deep bite malocclusions. Materials & Methods: The sample size of the study was 113 subjects (males=35; females=78) with history of previous orthodontic treatment or presence of craniofacial syndromes. Various dental and skeletal parameters were evaluated by using pre-orthodontic treatment records. For every parameter, descriptive statistics were calculated. Pearson’s Correlation test was used to assess correlation among various study parameters. Results: Results showed that most frequently seen factor in dental anomalies was a deep curve of Spee (72.6), increased coronal length of upper incisors (28.3%) was the second most commonly seen dental factor followed by retroclined upper incisors (17.7%). Decreased gonial angle was a skeletal factor with highest frequency of occurrence in deep bite (43.4%), followed by a reduced mandibular plane angle (27.4%). A strong positive correlation (p=0.000, r=0.66) was found between Frankfort mandibular plane angle and gonial angle. No other statistically significant correlations were found. Conclusion: The study showed that a reduced gonial angle is most commonly occurring skeletal factor, indicating towards the importance growth of ramus as well as angulation of ramus in development of a deep bite. Deep curve of Spee is a dental etiological component with highest frequency in deep bite subjects, thereby showing the importance of intrusion of the mandibular anterior teeth Keywords: Deep bite, Gonial Angle, Dental Factors