Deep-bite describes the situation where the upper front teeth bite down over the lower teeth and in some instances completely cover the lower front teeth. A deep-bite can cause significant wearing of the teeth and can make biting and chewing difficult. The gums behind the upper teeth and in front of the teeth below can also be affected. There can also in some cases be more strain on the jaw as a result of the deep-bite, potentially causing a condition known as TMD – pain in the jaw joint (the Temporo-Mandibular Joint).
A deep-bite can be corrected using braces. In some cases, particularly where the deep-bite is severe and is detected at an early enough age, a small removable appliance can be used to encourage the teeth to move to the correct position.