[The orthodontic treatment of deep bite in adults--a comparison of the straight-wire appliance and the segmented arch technic]

The purpose of the study was to analyse and compare deep overbite correction in adult patients carried out by a straight wire appliance and the segmented arch technique as recommended by Burstone. The sample comprised 50 adult, deep bite patients, 25 each treated with straight wire appliance and segmented arch technique. Plaster casts and lateral cephalograms made before and immediately after finishing treatment were analysed. Both techniques were successful in overbite correction; overbite reduction amounted to 3 to 3.5 mm. The straight wire appliance group demonstrated predominantly molar extrusion and as a result posterior mandibular rotation. A slight intrusion of 1 mm was seen in the lower incisor area. The segmented arch technique resulted in an incisor intrusion of 1.5 mm in the upper and 1.7 mm in the lower jaw. No substantiate extrusion in the molar area was found. The advantages of this technique are discussed.