Overbite is the most common orthodontic issue, affecting both children and adults. If you believe it is a minor issue of appearance, then hold on. It’s not like that. Untreated overbite is a slow and steady buildup that causes inability to chew, pain in the jaw, wear of teeth, causes speech problems, and even alters the facial structure.
The good news? There are a few sure methods of correcting an overbite in modern dentistry with or without surgery, depending upon the cause of the problem. Let’s jump into this blog and learn about the causes of an overbite, how it is diagnosed by a dentist, and the best treatment options available today.
What Is Overbite?
The upper front teeth are partially superimposed on the lower front teeth. This helps in appropriate chewing and speech.
In an overbite, this is more than optimal, and the upper teeth are more anterior than the lower. Why does overbite develop? The most frequent reasons are:
- Inherited or genetically formed jaw shape.
- Early childhood behaviors such as thumb-sucking.
- Overcrowded teeth
- Miniature lower jaw or a huge upper jaw.
- Tongue thrusting
- Unbalanced facial development as kids grow
Some overbites are dental, meaning created by teeth and others skeletal, meaning, created by the structure of the jaw. It is also important to know what kind of bite you have which will help in making the most effective kind of treatment.
So, how does a dentist diagnose an Overbite?
Before starting the treatment, your orthodontist will test:
- The extent to which the upper teeth cross over the lower teeth.
- Jaw alignment
- Tooth spacing
- Facial and bite balance
Tools used may include:
- Clinical examination
- X-rays
- Digital scans
- Bite measurements
- Permanent photos of before and after.
After identifying the cause, a specific treatment plan can be developed.
How to correct my overbite -The available treatment options!
Various patients require various treatments according to their age, stage of development, severity of the bite and health of their teeth. These are the most efficient and popular ones.
1. Braces
One of the best methods of correcting an overbite is by traditional metal or ceramic braces. They use a constant soft pressure to re-align teeth and enhance the upper and lower jaw contact.
How braces fix an overbite:
- Align crooked teeth
- Correct overcrowding
- Move teeth up and down to a superior position.
- Sometimes uses elastics (rubber bands) to enhance bite relationships.
They are used with kids, adolescents and adults and take up to 12-24 months.
2. Invisalign (similar to the Clear Aligners)
Clear aligners are removable transparent trays which are placed over the teeth. They do not straighten teeth within a short period of time, but are suitable for individuals who desire a treatment mode that is not noticeable.
Aligners can:
- Move teeth backwards
- Improve bite alignment
- Proper distance and crowding
They need to be put on 20-22 hours a day to achieve maximum results.
Best for:
- Older teens and adults
- Individuals who desire an almost undetectable orthodontic procedure.
3. Early Interceptive Children’s Orthodontics
When children are growing, they can be treated to ensure the development of the jaw, and this avoids a severe overbite in the future. Some of the common early appliances are:
- Palatal expanders -enlarge the upper jaw.
- Growth modification devices- promote the forward development of the lower jaw.
- Functional appliances -enhance the way teeth meet.
If it is treated at an early age (7-11 years old), this can reduce or prevent the complex treatment in the future.
4. Tooth Extraction
If there is crowding in the mouth, the front teeth may lean forward, making the overbite worse. Removal of a tooth or two in these cases leaves room to re-align a tooth. However, removal of the teeth is possible only in the case:
- There is severe crowding
- The jaw size is too small
- The other alternatives are not pressure relievers.
- Braces or aligners finish the process after extraction.
5. Retainers
Retainers are not effective in correcting the majority of overbites, but they can assist in the retention of the results after the treatment. Without retainers, patients will also experience the retardation of teeth going back to their original position and reversing the progress. However, for some special cases, retainers can be used, particularly in young children.
6. Jaw Surgery
If skeletal imbalance, surgery might be the only viable long-term approach, and it is recommended when:
- Jaw misalignment.
- Bite cannot be fixed by using braces or aligners.
- Adults who have grown their bones already.
In surgery, the jaw is restructured to create a balanced bite. While braces are used to finalize details on the patient’s face before and after surgery.
How Long Does It Take to Fix an Overbite?
The time of the overbite correction depends on the type of treatment and the severity of the condition. The mild ones can be treated using the clear aligners and can be seen to yield results in 6 to 12 months especially when the patient follows the recommended daily wear schedule.
While traditional braces that are applied in a large proportion of dental corrections normally need between 12 and 24 months to fully correct an overbite and straighten the bite accordingly.
More extreme cases occur due to misalignment of the jaw and necessitate orthognathic surgery, which is in turn preceded and succeeded by orthodontic therapy that adds up to approximately 18-36 months of treatment.
In younger children, early interceptive treatment can be divided into two stages and needs several years to be performed, since these appliances will direct the natural growth of the jaw and simplify and more effectively correct the error in the future.
The Importance of Correcting an Overbite
On the one hand, a deep overbite is not a huge concern, as it is observed externally, but it can have daily consequences. Most patients feel that their condition improves in:
- Chewing strength
- Speech clarity
- Jaw comfort
- Tooth lifespan
- Gum health
- Facial profile
Correct positioning of bite distributions, biting forces evenly, which avoids an unequal wear, headache, and overstraining of the jaw in the long term. The treatment of an overbite is not only cosmetic, but also useful.
Common Questions You May Ask
How do braces fix an overbite?
Utilising wires and brackets, braces softly twist the teeth into healthier shapes with the assistance of small rubber bands, in some cases, to reform the resultant upper and lower teeth contact.
Is it possible to correct an overbite without the use of braces?
Not completely. Some of these mild changes could be achieved through exercises or posture, but nearly always, dental alignment needs professional intervention, such as a brace or aligner.
Is overbite surgery necessary to fix it?
This is only when the source of the problem is the bones of the jaw and not the teeth. Surgery can be the most effective in the long-term solution in case of structural jaw misalignment of high magnitude.
How can one correct an overbite in adults?
Clearly, aligners or braces would be effective for many adults. In case it is the jaw structure, then surgery may be advised with orthodontics.
Final Thoughts
The overbites occur but are also very easy to treat. No matter whether the problem is with the teeth, the jaw or both, contemporary orthodontics provides the answers which are safe, predictable and applicable to all ages.
The trick is to receive a professional assessment. When your expert dentist knows the cause, it becomes possible to suggest the appropriate one – braces or aligners, early appliances, extractions or surgery.
A balanced bite is not just a better smile; it is something that keeps mouths healthy, decreases tension and lets teeth serve a lifetime.
