L. Baume
Aug 1, 1950
Citations
4
Influential Citations
67
Citations
Journal
Journal of Dental Research
Abstract
TN THE field of periodontics a great deal of interest has been directed toward 1the problem of the incisal overbite. Frequently a severe overbite has been held responsible for progressive periodontal lesions or marked abrasions which emphasizes the need for early prevention of this malocclusion. In the search for the causative factors of this condition conflicting schools of thought exist. There are those who believe that it is due to a lack of growth in vertical height of the mandibular ramus.10 On the other hand, Strang'5 suggests that its cause is a supraeruption of the incisors or an infraeruption of the posterior teeth, or a combination of both. Infraeruption of the permanent molars alone has been proposed by others.'13 14 In two cephalometric studies of the relationship between ramus height, dental height, and overbite, Wylie21' 22 came to the conclusion that growth of the mandibular ramus has no direct relationship to the development of the overbite. This was consistent with the observations of Broadbent7 and Brodie8 that the form and proportion of the mandible during development remain constant. It further sustains the concept of Thompson and Brodie20 that the presence of teeth has little bearing on the rest position of the mandible. An effect of the incisal overbite on the form of the temporomandibular joint was found in morphological as well as histological examinations.6' 12, 17 This problem has recently been studied by Angel.' Baker2 suggested that the eruption sequence of the canines and premolars influences the formation of the permanent overbite. With the exception of Goldstein and Stanton," Sillman,'5 and Silver'6 little information, however, is presented on the development of overbite in the same individual. The following study deals with the relationship between the degree of overbite of the deciduous dentition and that of the mixed and permanent dentitions and the factors responsible for a transitory change, if any, from the deciduous overbite to the permanent overbite in the same individual.