Assessment of three different techniques in correcting deep overbite: a prospective clinical study.

OBJECTIVES

To study the effect of using reverse curve of Spee (RCOS) archwires or posterior vertical elastics with anterior bite turbos (ABTs) during deep overbite management.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Eighty-one patients with excessive overbite treated with ABTs were divided into three equal groups: Group I (mean age = 15.82 years) received 0.016 × 0.022 nickel titanium RCOS archwires, Group II (mean age = 16.00 years) received posterior vertical elastics, and Group III (mean age = 17.35 years) received bite turbos alone. Standardized lateral cephalograms were taken at baseline (T1) and after overbite correction (T2).

RESULTS

A total of 80 patients completed the study. All groups showed similar reductions in overbite. Group II required the shortest treatment duration (44.4 days), followed by Group I (55.7 days) and Group III (94.2 days, P < .001). Group I experienced lower incisor proclination (7.5°), true incisor intrusion (1 mm), and distal molar tipping. Group II exhibited posterior tooth extrusion (up to 1.1 mm and 0.42 mm in the lower and upper arches, respectively) with minimal incisor change. Group III overbite reduced mainly by passive eruption of lower posterior teeth. Vertical skeletal measurements increased significantly in all groups, with the smallest increase in Group III.

CONCLUSIONS

All three approaches corrected deep overbite successfully. Posterior elastics with bite turbos were the most efficient. RCOS wires with bite turbos produced greater proclination and intrusion of the lower incisors. Bite turbos alone achieved slower correction, primarily through eruption of lower posterior teeth.