Molar build-upresearched

Quick facts

Field	Value
ID	OA-0165
Type	component
Category	component
Fixed/removable	fixed (bonded composite)
Primary function	bite opening; bracket protection in deep overbite
Malocclusion target	deep overbite
Uses TADs	no

Overview

Molar build-ups (bite turbos placed on posterior molars) are composite or GIC pads bonded to the occlusal surface of the upper or lower first molars to open the bite vertically. In deep overbite cases, the lower incisors contact the palatal surface of the upper incisors (or the lower brackets contact the upper teeth) when the patient closes — this would fracture brackets. Molar build-ups create a posterior stop, preventing the anterior teeth from fully occluding until the deep bite is corrected. As the deep bite opens through treatment, the build-ups are reduced incrementally.

Clinical & technical

Mechanism of action

By adding height to the posterior occlusal surface, molar build-ups disarticulate the anterior teeth — the posterior stops bear all occlusal load. This eliminates bracket fracture risk from deep bite closure. Simultaneously, the posterior eruption mechanism is engaged: with anterior teeth disarticulated, the anterior teeth extrude (if in full brackets) while the posterior teeth are loaded. Net effect is bite opening, which corrects the deep overbite over treatment.

Indications & case selection

Deep overbite (≥4–5 mm) at start of comprehensive fixed appliance treatment; cases where lower anterior brackets would be traumatically loaded; posterior brackets that need protection from occlusal interference; combined with bracket bonding at the start of treatment.

Contraindications & limitations

Build-ups are temporary — must be removed/reduced as treatment progresses; occlusal loading can debond them (rebonding appointments required); patient may notice discomfort on posterior molars initially; hyperdivergent patients may experience bite opening that is unfavorable (increased lower face height).

Design & fabrication

Components & materials

• Light-cure composite resin or glass ionomer cement
• Applied directly to occlusal surface of first molar (upper or lower)
• Height: 1–2 mm above existing occlusion
• No lab fabrication — chairside placement

Lab fabrication notes

Chairside procedure only — no lab component. Pre-formed metal bite turbos are commercially available as an alternative to chairside composite.

Common variants & modifications

• Anterior bite turbo — composite pad on upper incisor palatal

surface (same concept anteriorly)

• Pre-formed metal bite turbo — manufactured metal pad bonded to

molar

• Bonded bite plate — lab-fabricated version for more precise bite

opening Fixed bite plate

Used in

Appliances that incorporate this component. ★ = fabricated by Clear Fusion Lab.

• ★ Fixed bite plate — Fixed bite

plate

• ★ Bite plate — Bite plate
• Herbst appliance — Herbst appliance

(deep bite cases)

• Flip-Lock HERBST — Flip-Lock HERBST

(deep bite cases)

• Specialty M4 Herbst — Specialty

M4 Herbst (deep bite cases)

Common variants & modifications

• Bilateral acrylic build-up: acrylic added to both upper molar

occlusal surfaces; standard configuration

• Unilateral build-up: single-sided for crossbite unlocking or

asymmetric deep bite

• Composite molar build-up: composite directly bonded to molars

chairside — no lab involvement; faster but less durable

• Glass ionomer build-up: GIC used for temporary molar

intrusion/bite opening; resorbs over time

• Build-up + expansion: molar build-ups added to an expander to

simultaneously open bite during expansion

Also known as

• molar build-up (commonname)_
• bite turbo (alternatename)_
• bite ramp (alternatename)_
• posterior bite stop (descriptor)

Sources

• [Bite Turbos — Harris

Dental](https://harrisdentalassociates.com/bite-turbo/)

• [Patient Satisfaction with Anterior Bite Turbos —

PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12468456/)

Research log

• 2026-06-09 — researched molar build-up / bite turbo function, deep

bite bracket protection, composite vs metal variants.