What Are The Ways To Correct Underbite And Overbite Problems?

Examining a patient for underbite and overbite early can save money now and pain later, orthodontic experts believe that. Poor chewing, tongue thrusting, and continuing the use of pacifiers and bottles are bad chronic conditions that can cause an underbite or overbite. Heredity is the most common cause of such problems. A patient needs to be examined as early as 7 if they have an overbite or underbite, studies show that.

When correcting an underbite or overbite, young patients have it easier because their jawbones are still growing. To correct an underbite or overbite a number of options are available. When correcting an underbite or overbite for a young patient, a number of options are available.

What is an overbite?

By the upper teeth, the lower teeth get overlapped is the condition said as an Overbite. As compared to underbites, overbites are more common. Causes of overbites may be many including the habits during the early years of life, hereditary, like thumb-sucking or excessive bottle-feeding. These childhood habits result in an overdeveloped upper jaw or an underdeveloped lower jaw. While clear aligners or braces are used for the treatment of overbites but some cases may require surgery. In order to aid the movement of other teeth into position, tooth extraction is also carried out sometimes.

What is an underbite?

As you must have guessed, as opposed to overbite, in other words, an underbite is a condition where the upper teeth get overlapped by the lower. On the list of causes for an underbite, hereditary causes are on top. As those for an overbite, the remaining causes are the same like pacifier use, prolonged bottle, thumb-sucking, and other infancy & early childhood habits. Clear aligners or braces are used to correct underbites once again. They are good for individuals who are conscious of wearing braces, while Invisalign aligners are expensive.

Different ways to correct bite problems

1. Reverse-Pull Head Gear

When the expander doesn’t work properly, an underbite headgear appliance is used. It includes a metal bar connected to the cushions on the forehead and chin. To gently move the upper jaw forward, elastic bands are attached to the bar and the top molar bands.

In moving a patient’s jaw up to age 10, the reverse-pull headgear can make a difference. It has to be worn for at least 12 hours a day, so this piece of equipment requires patient compliance.

2. Surgery

For an adult patient, surgery is the only option that seeks treatment for an underbite that is skeletal. For at least a year prior to surgery and six to nine months afterward, the patient typically needs to wear braces. Underbite fixed with braces could fix the problem if the underbite is confined to the teeth.

To fracture and redirect the jaw where it needs to go, orthodontic care requires an oral surgeon. A piece of the jaw may be removed and pushed back depending on the case and surgeon. The teeth are wired shut after surgery to keep the jaw secure. Weight loss is normal so a liquid diet is necessary at this time. Only in rare cases, a jaw could move back.