Which factor is identified as the etiological cause of collapsed occlusion (deep bite)?

Which factor is identified as the etiological cause of collapsed occlusion (deep bite)?

• A. Early eruption of permanent incisors
• B. Early loss of teeth in the supporting area
• C. Late eruption of permanent incisors
• D. Early eruption of the lateral group of teeth

Answer: (B)

Collapsed occlusion arises when the bite loses its vertical support, so the height of the occlusion can no longer be maintained. The posterior teeth provide the key vertical stop and guide for the mandible. If teeth in the supporting area are lost early, the occlusal plane and vertical dimension collapse: the remaining teeth may drift or supra-erupt, the bite links tighten in the anterior region, and the anterior teeth end up with a markedly increased overlap. That sequence produces a deep bite pattern, or collapsed occlusion. Timings of eruption of the anterior teeth or lateral groups can influence how a deep bite develops, but they don’t by themselves cause the occlusal collapse seen with loss of posterior support. The essential etiologic factor here is the early loss of teeth in the supporting (posterior) area, which undermines vertical dimension and leads to the deep bite presentation.

Collapsed occlusion arises when the bite loses its vertical support, so the height of the occlusion can no longer be maintained. The posterior teeth provide the key vertical stop and guide for the mandible. If teeth in the supporting area are lost early, the occlusal plane and vertical dimension collapse: the remaining teeth may drift or supra-erupt, the bite links tighten in the anterior region, and the anterior teeth end up with a markedly increased overlap. That sequence produces a deep bite pattern, or collapsed occlusion.

Timings of eruption of the anterior teeth or lateral groups can influence how a deep bite develops, but they don’t by themselves cause the occlusal collapse seen with loss of posterior support. The essential etiologic factor here is the early loss of teeth in the supporting (posterior) area, which undermines vertical dimension and leads to the deep bite presentation.