OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the craniofacial morphology ofdeepbite from childhood to adulthood using cross-sectional methods. To analyze the maxillofacial characteristics of adult deepbite.

METHODSThe sample included 159 children (with average age of 12.47 years old) and 81 adults (with average age of21.76 years old) with class III deepbite. The control group consisted of51 normal individuals (with average age of 18.41 years old). Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken and recorded in a computer through a scanner. Cephalometric measurements were conducted by using Winceph 7.0 software, and results were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 software.

RESULTSSignificant differences between child and adult deepbite were observed in the following: N-ANS, ANS-Me, A-Ms, A-Ptm, Wits, Mo-Ms, Ii-Ii, A-B plane angle to the mandibular plane angle, Gonial angle, L1 to NB length, overjet, mandibular body to anterior cranial base, Mo-Mi, posterior facial height, U1 to NA length, Pog-Go, Cd-Go, occlusion plane angle to SN, and U1 to SN. In addition, significant differences between adult deepbite and normal occlusion were observed in SNB, ANB, convexity, APDI, ODI, Wits, A-B plane to mandibular plane, Gonial angle, overjet, mandibular body to anterior cranial base, S-Ptm, Mo-Mi U1 to SN; Pog-Go, Cd-Go, posterior cranial base, and occlusion plane to SN and posterior facial height.

CONCLUSIONDeepbite patients have certain growth potential after puberty, but the sagittal relationship of their jaws exhibits no improvement. Adult deepbite patients exhibit significant problems in the vertical and sagittal jaw positions.