Long-term stability and relapse of deep bite correction: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION:  Deep overbite is one of the most common malocclusions and is the most difficult to treat successfully. The real challenge remains the stability of long-term deep overbite correction. A search through the scientific literature revealed only one systematic review on this subject. Given the recent publications on the stability of deep bite correction and the development of new processes designed to avoid relapse of these treatments, this one existing systematic review needs to be updated. The purpose of the present systematic review is to evaluate the long-term stability of deep overbite correction. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Electronic databases were searched and nonelectronic journals were manually explored for papers on long-term stability and relapse of deep overbite correction. Articles deemed appropriate for inclusion in this review were selected and analyzed. Their scientific quality was assessed and the data they contained were extracted and summarized. RESULTS:  The rate of deep overbite relapse was 47.27%. Patients treated with the straight wire appliance showed a 67.74% relapse rate whereas those treated with the Ricketts biological progressive segmented mechanics appliance displayed a 30.38% rate. Subjects treated towards the end of adolescence presented a 14.3% rate of deep overbite relapse whereas those treated in their early teens or in adulthood had a deep overbite relapse rate of 30% and 30.8%, respectively. Intramuscular injections of botox helped obtain 100% stability in maxillofacial surgery to correct deep bite. CONCLUSION:  Age at initiation of treatment and treatment technique are two factors impacting the long-term stability of deep overbite correction.