Overbite Problems

A majority of people consider an overbite problem as a minor issue and doesn't care much about it while it can cause serious health concerns for the affected person. Though it requires great effort and time but the problem diagnosed and treated at early stages worth its value and saves the patient from significant health complications. Therefore, orthodontist at orthodontic experts suggests that any oral complications such as overbite must be treated as soon as possible.

How to know if you have an overbite

Medically this problem is referred as “Malocclusion”. It is when the upper jaw overlaps the lower jaw and also called overbite. Patients can have from slight overbite problems ranging from 1 to 2 mm to more serious overbite problems.

What causes an overbite?

Overbite may seem to be a problem when the person's teeth and jaws are not lining up properly. Some people simply get an overbite problem as a heredity; being born with malformed jaws that develops in an uneven manner.

Although, genetics is the major cause for if you have an overbite or not, but sometimes, bad habits can also contribute to the overbite problem. Thumb sucking is one of the examples. If your child constantly sucks thumb in their mouth, it puts the constant pushing of upper teeth and bone into a more forward position while the thumb itself pushes the lower teeth back resulting in an overbite problem.

According to American Dental Association nearly 70% kids exhibits the signs of having overbite. In teens and adults, chewing writing pencils, erasers and other objects, as well as chronic nail biting are the mostly observed causes for overbite problem. Grinding teeth and (TMJ) Temporomandibular joint dysfunction are simply other causes of creating malocclusion.

Overbite treatment options

Orthodontists always have better treatment options for all the dental problems. Here at orthodontic experts we have variety of orthodontic treatment options to correct and fix overbite problems but before starting your treatment an Initial x-rays will be taken to determine the type of overbite and the relationship between teeth and jaw to determine the best possible treatment for you.

This problem is more common in children and teens due to the issue of crowding of teeth but adults can also face severe symptoms associated with overbites due to lack of preventive treatment in early life.

Treatment options for children and teens

• Removal of baby teeth - your orthodontist might remove baby teeth to make a room for the growth of permanent and straight teeth
• Growth modification device - to help in the better positioning of jaw using growth modification device can be an option to correct overbite
• Braces - slowly and gradually corrects the overbite and jaw problems
• Retainers - it is post-braces treatment that helps to keep the teeth in place.

Treatment options for Adults

• Braces - To correct the overbite braces in adults work to move the teeth only.
• Teeth removal - In very severe overbite problems, teeth removal may be considered to allow the teeth to grow more freely.
• Surgery - For skeletal type overbites, jaw problems can only be cured through surgery.

If left un-treated, overbite can cause serious health implications such as jaw pain, irreparable damage to teeth from abnormal position, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) and so on.

Whether you are a child, teen or an adult, seeking your orthodontist in the early stages of dental problems is the solution to prevent most of the severities. Me Make sure you visit your orthodontist or dentist right in to avoid any potential risks associated with dental problems. Checkup for children by at least the age of 7 to detect an overbite and adults should get regular checkups every six months to make sure early intervention to avoid the potentially severe physical repercussions of leaving an overbite untreated.