[Individual overbite behavior between the deciduous and permanent dentition]

Manuals and relevant publications give rise to the impression that the formation of the overbite in the incisor region throughout its development is a process easy to overlook. Impressions of 108 cases were taken, one of the deciduous dentition and one of the permanent dentition 13 years later. A mathematic-statistical analysis of objective measurable morphological dentition criteria were made and discussed. This shows that neither from the degree of overbite nor from any other feature of the deciduous dentition a prognosis concerning the extent of the final overbite of the permanent dentition can be derived. Changes throughout the development of the overbite are predominant. There are only little correlative coherencies among the morphological symptoms that can be applied quickly and easily for the prognosis in the clinical inspection. For estimating the development tendency longterm individualized observations are necessary.