Have you noticed your upper jaw is significantly protruding from your lower jaw? You might have an overbite, which is a common condition for many people. Whilst most adults like to undergo some form of treatment to address the dental condition as well as straighten their smile, it’s not necessary unless you have more severe symptoms of an overbite.
If you have a mild overbite, you might be able to treat it without time-consuming and costly trips to your orthodontist as there are various treatment options available. However, it’s best to consult with your orthodontists for professional advice first.
What is an overbite?
An overbite occurs when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. It can also occur if you have a small lower jaw, which can push the upper jaw forward. A mild overbite can result in the upper teeth covering half of the lower teeth. However, a severe overbite can result in the upper jaw covering the lower jaw completely, which can also lead to a deep bite where the top teeth and lower jaw are completely misaligned causing jaw problems.
Types of overbites
There are two main types of overbites:
- Dental overbite – your upper and lower jaw are aligned, however, the misalignment of teeth will result in the lower jaw being pushed back, which causes the overbite.
- Skeletal overbite – your lower jaw is small compared to your upper jaw, which pushes the upper teeth forward, resulting in an overbite.
What are the causes of an overbite?
Overbites are generally hereditary as genetics play a major role in how the child’s jaw forms through to adulthood. However, some other causes of an overbite are summarised as below:
- Thumb sucking habits, bottle feeding and tongue thrusting habits can affect the normal position of teeth in infants and children.
- Chewing fingernails, biting pens and pencils and losing teeth can alter the appearance of a normal bite in teenagers and adults.
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction can be caused by misalignment of the upper and lower teeth, which can result in strain on the jaw muscles and joints.
How is an overbite corrected?
There are many treatments available to fix an overbite. It’s best to speak to your orthodontist so they can recommend the appropriate orthodontic treatment or an overbite surgery to correct your bite.
Braces
Traditional braces are extremely effective in fixing crooked teeth as well as correcting an overbite. Braces, wires and elastics are attached to your teeth to help align your jaw and straighten your teeth over a period of time. You might also need to undergo a tooth extraction, which may require surgery to remove permanent or wisdom teeth that may impact your overbite correction treatment. However, it’s best to speak to your orthodontist about the right orthodontic treatment plan for you.
Invisalign
An Invisalign treatment is the best option to treat and correct an adult overbite problem. Through the use of Invisalign clear aligners, you don’t have to worry about having metal braces in your mouth as it’s a clear alternative to fixing your smile. The clear trays gently move your teeth to their correct position over a period of time and can align your jaw to fix your overbite as well.
Surgery
Overbite correction surgery is recommended for severe cases of an overbite and mainly for adults. An oral surgeon would move your lower jaw bone forward so that your upper and lower jaws are aligned. Like any other surgery, there are many treatment costs involved with this procedure as it can alter your facial structure. However, your orthodontist can advise you if this treatment option is necessary as it’s only recommended for severe cases of overbite.
How long does it take to correct an overbite?
The time it takes to fix an overbite can vary. Orthodontic treatment for a severe overbite can take at least 2 years, depending on your overbite problem. Severe overbite cases such as a deep overbite could take up to 2 years as well. However, it ultimately depends on your treatment and how fast your jaw can realign to its normal position.
Is an overbite correction necessary?
An untreated overbite can lead to long term jaw problems. Some effects of living with an overbite are outlined as below:
- An overbite can affect your jaw, resulting in pain and possibly even gum disease if there is tooth decay that isn’t addressed or resolved early.
- Constant pressure from your back teeth can lead to tooth wear and enamel loss on your upper front teeth.
- Difficulty eating or speaking are also long term side effects of overbites.
- In severe cases, chronic jaw pain and misaligned jaws can cause temporomandibular joint disorder.
- Neck pain and headaches can also be caused by overbite problems.
Get in touch with us today
If your upper teeth cover your bottom teeth, resulting in an overbite, you might want to rectify it with an overbite correction treatment that’s right for you. Our team at the Orthodontic Place are professionals in correcting overbites.
With years of experience and the latest advancements in dental treatments, we take pride in offering a range of services so that you can make the right choice for your needs. Whether you have overcrowded teeth or a deep overbite, we have treatment options to suit all ages. Reach out to our team through our website or call us. so we can assist you as soon as possible.