Clean, white, and perfectly aligned teeth have a certain visual appeal. You are surrounded by picture-perfect smiles whether you turn on the television, open a magazine, or go to the movies.
Not everyone is as lucky; many children and adults struggle with malocclusions, and an overbite is one example. Let’s look at the condition and the potential causes of overbite before uncovering the techniques for correction.
The alignment of your teeth is referred to as “occlusion.” A misalignment from a typical occlusion is referred to as malocclusion. Malocclusions include:
- Overbites
- Crossbites
- Underbites
- Open bites
A malocclusion can be classified into one of three groups.
Class One
A normal bite that is accompanied by a small overlap of the upper teeth is classified as class one.
Class Two
The most typical malocclusion is this one. When the overbite is severe and is sometimes referred to as retrognathic, class two is detected.
Class Three
Class three is a significant underbite, which occurs when the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth.
Overbites
Most people can link their overbite to genes, which implies that their jaw wasn’t able to align properly with their upper teeth from birth. Overbites can also be divided into two groups: skeletal overbites and dental overbites.
- Dental overbite is used when your teeth are to blame
- Skeletal overbite is used when your jaw is the primary culprit
An overbite frequently results from the size or shape of your teeth or your jaw not having enough room to accommodate all of your teeth. Too much room in the mouth and jaw can also cause teeth to drift apart, so this is another scenario that an overbite might develop.
While babies and kids are more likely to have an overbite because they often drink from bottles, and suck on thumbs and pacifiers. An overbite can develop in adults and teenagers who habitually chew pencils, nails, or other objects.
Additionally, adults are more likely to have an overbite diagnosis if they have a TMJ disorder, grind their teeth frequently, or have a large number of relatives who have an overbite.
Can I Ignore My Overbite?
An overbite may result in serious health issues if ignored. This includes potential jaw pain from TMJ issues and irreversible tooth damage from improper alignment. Other potential issues caused by an untreated overbite may include:
- Cavities, gum disease, and eroded tooth enamel
- Jaw ache
- Headaches
- Eating discomfort or pain
- Difficulty opening or closing mouth fully
- Sleep apnea
- Trouble Speaking
An untreated overbite may also cause significant changes to the facial structure and contribute to low self-esteem.
Many people feel anxious that they have decided to get treatment too late. While treating an overbite or underbite early on can be helpful, it’s important to remember that adults can always undergo treatment.
Starting treatment at a young age may help one avoid more invasive treatments like jaw surgery later in life, yet surgery is sometimes still required anyway. The most crucial thing is to not let your age prevent you from receiving the care you deserve.
Unfortunately, many adults suffer from headaches and TMJ for a lifetime because of their overbite and believe that treatment won’t work for them.
Treatment Options
To begin your overbite treatment journey, you will first need to schedule a consultation appointment to have your individual situation evaluated by your dentist.
Your dentist will then recommend a course of treatment. Remember that your overbite may require some time to completely correct. Your dentist may suggest the following cosmetic procedures to treat your overbite:
Braces
One of the more popular cosmetic procedures used to treat overbites is braces, which typically must be worn for one to two years. By applying consistent pressure to your teeth over an extended period of time, braces can reposition your teeth. Your jaw progressively changes to accommodate this pressure.
Aligners
Aligners function similarly to braces in that they reposition the teeth to correct an overbite.
Bite Correctors
Bite correctors, which simultaneously move the upper teeth back and the lower teeth forward, are used in conjunction with metal braces to help people with more severe overbites.
Veneers
In mild situations, a cosmetic dentist might be able to solve an overbite with veneers or crowns. A small amount of tooth enamel will be removed by your dentist to allow the veneers to fit flush within the arch and produce a uniform, natural-looking smile.
Surgery
It may be necessary to have jaw surgery in moderate to severe cases. Although it may be used in conjunction with other therapies, cosmetic dentistry will not be the only option in these situations and can take several years.If your overbite is harming your dental health, you can find a solution right now with Upper Gage Dental. Don’t hesitate to book an appointment with us so we can answer any questions you may have about your smile.
