What Kind Of Bite Is this Called?

Message

#1 Post by **Spanner** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:22 am

I'm researching my problems thoroughly before my consultation next week but I'm not sure what kind of bite I have. I know the picture isn't clear but as you can see my top front teeth completely cover my bottom teeth and actually dig right into my gums causing soreness and recession. Apart from the crookedness this is the main problem that needs sorting as my dentist said I will lose my front bottom teeth in time because the roots are already showing.

Is this called an overbite or deep bite. Thanks.

#2 Post by **dubnobass** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:46 am

That is a class II malocclusion with deep (complete) overbite. It's what I had. In my case, I needed braces and surgery to correct it. It's verrrry common in Brits, or so I have been told.

#3 Post by **ilovemacs** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:06 pm

I agree with everything dubnobass has said in the above post!

#4 Post by **Spanner** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:12 pm

Thanks, I had a feeling surgery was gonna be mentioned. Do they make the bottom jaw longer or the top jaw shorter or is it a whole lot more complicated than that?....hmmmm i'm sure it is lol but i'm already getting anxious at the thought of having my jaw cut open.

Sorry I'm a worrier, I shouldn't be thinking like this when I haven't even had the consultation yet

#5 Post by **ilovemacs** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:15 pm

Please don't worry about surgery. If it's needed it'll be mentioned at your consult. Good Luck!

#6 Post by **Lisa65** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:44 pm

Have a look at this thread

viewtopic.php?t=22540&highlight=jernigan+deep+bite (thanks again Meryaten)

There are different ways of opening up a deep bite and not all of them involve surgery. There's a lot of other factors to consider.

It looks to me as if matters aren't being helped in your case by your missing bottom molars. Your top molars now haven't got anything to rest on so there's nothing to stop your top jaw biting down too far.

#7 Post by **Spanner** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:26 pm

Thanks for the link Lisa.

This bit sounds like me... ("Finally, some folks have deepbites b/c the entire maxilla or upper jaw has grown dow too far in the front. These folks have gummy smiles and are candidtaes for upper intrusion and sometimes jaw suery (option #4) to impact the upper jaw and reduce the overbite. Also shortening the long face.")

...because when I smile all my top gum is showing a lot, particularly if I laugh...I normally cover my face if I can't stop laughing not because I hate my teeth because I don't want people to see all my gums..yuk lol.

I do have a few gaps because of extractions down the bottom plus some of the molars point inwards and my top molars bite on the sides of them instead of the proper place. I have top teeth that are starting to fall out (but not loose) because they have nothing below to stop them.

I'm not afraid of surgery just afraid of my face changing...i like it the way it is.

#8 Post by **rsprouse** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:59 pm

dubnobass wrote:That is a class II malocclusion with deep (complete) overbite. It's what I had. In my case, I needed braces and surgery to correct it. It's verrrry common in Brits, or so I have been told.

There is no way to tell from the picture if it is indeed a class II malocclusion. Although with that extreme of an overbite, you are likely correct. If the OP goes through with treatment the before/after pics will likely be crazy!

Best,
Rory

#9 Post by **Spanner** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 3:52 am

Thanks everyone for your help. I'm not going to think about it anymore and just wait and see what he says on Wednesday because I'm getting myself all anxious at the range of possible things that might have to happen. All of which make me feel weak at the knees at the moment.

Have a lovely weekend everyone

#10 Post by **cosmicgirl** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:11 am

Spanner - sometimes ignorance is bliss! It's good to be informed, but only when the information is happy news!
You may be surprised and find the procedure won't involve surgery, but if you have to take that route, be brave. You'll probably become less anxious with every visit to the ortho and when the time comes, you'll take surgery in your stride. You'll have super teeth at the end of it and you won't have problems later on in life.
Best of British on Wednesday!