What is Overbite?

What is Overbite?

In orthodontics, “bite” often refers to the relationship between the upper and lower jaws.

how much overbite is normal?

An overbite is a type of jaw and teeth abnormality in which the teeth of the upper jaw broadly cover the front teeth of the lower jaw. A small 1 to 2 mm overlap between the upper and lower teeth is entirely ordinary and necessary.

But its amount becomes too much so that the upper front teeth cover the lower teeth by more than 2 to 3 mm.

In that case, this condition is known as double overbite disorder, and the treatment is in the specialized field of orthodontics.

Orthodontists and dentists refer to overbite as a type of malocclusion. Overbite can be horizontal or vertical.

Types of Overbite

Causes of Overbite

Overbites can result from genetics, environmental factors, or both.
For instance, children who suck their thumbs or use a pacifier beyond the age of five may develop this condition.

Additionally, habits like nail-biting, tooth loss or excessive chewing in adulthood can contribute to overbite development.

Overbite Treatment with Braces

Invisalign or braces can fix the jawline in many cases. By aligning the arches correctly, your chin and jawline will appear firmer and create a more harmonious facial expression.

Braces can be an excellent choice to treat some overbite problems. First, in the evaluation stage, the photo is taken with the help of X-rays, and in this way, the new overbite is determined, and the relationship between the teeth and the jaw is shown. After that, the braces are attached to the lower and upper arches of the teeth.

Invisalign orthodontics

Using transparent orthodontic aligners is another way to fix an overbite.

• This method is usually suitable for adults and those with mild to moderate overbite.
• With the help of Invisiline orthodontics, the teeth gradually move towards their original position, and the jawline and overbite problem are treated.
• The effectiveness of this method primarily depends on the patient’s cooperation in the regular use of transparent plaques. Aligners should be on the teeth 22 hours daily and changed every two weeks. A person can take it out of the mouth only for eating and cleaning the teeth.

New aligners for a severe overbite

Recently, innovations have been made in designing and manufacturing Invisalign plates, which can be used to treat severe overbite. In this extreme design, it is possible to connect elastic loops to the upper and lower aligners, which can be used to correct the position of the teeth of the two jaws relative to each other. However, correcting very severe and complex overbites with invisible orthodontics is impossible.

Overbite Treatment with Lingual Orthodontics

Lingual braces have become increasingly popular in recent years. Lingual braces can treat most cosmetic dental problems, except for severe cases, which should be referred to a maxillofacial surgeon if diagnosed by an orthodontist.

Lingual orthodontics or lingual braces are a type of hidden brace attached to the back of the teeth instead of being placed on the front of the teeth. They work just like the more traditional type of braces, traditional metal braces. By putting pressure on the teeth, they move them and put them in their proper place to gradually straighten them.

Can front teeth be corrected with lingual orthodontics?

Most patients with overbite choose the option of using lingual braces. But can an overbite be corrected with lingual orthodontics?

It is always better to visit an orthodontist to examine your teeth before deciding on orthodontic treatment. An orthodontist can tell you the advantages and disadvantages of lingual orthodontics based on teeth examination.

Advantages of choosing lingual orthodontic treatment

Except for the cases recommended by the orthodontist. Many patients may choose the lingual procedure purely based on aesthetics or personal preference. Using these braces as a treatment method has many advantages, including:

• Not Being Visible
  The beauty and visibility of these braces are by far its most significant advantage. With these braces, most people won’t know you even have them on. One must sit close or stand to see the brackets inside the teeth.
  Clear and ceramic braces and Invisalign are other aesthetically inconspicuous options for orthodontic treatment. However, they are still visible because they are applied to the outside of the teeth. Lingual braces are the only option for patients who want a nearly invisible option.
• Mouth Protection
  Standard braces can cause scratches and sores on the inside of the patient’s cheeks and lips. Especially in the early stages of treatment, when the mouth is not used to brackets and wires. However, it is common for patients to experience discomfort. With lingual, cheeks and lips are not hurt and sore from braces. So, there isn’t much to worry about with the cheeks and lips, although the tongue may sometimes be irritated.

Overbite Treatment at Beach Cities Dentistry

In general, overbite treatment methods are divided into two categories:

1. Orthodontics
2. Jaw surgery

Problems Caused by Untreated Overbite

If left untreated, overbite can cause significant health complications. For example, irreparable damage to the teeth, temporomandibular joint syndrome, and worsening maxillary prolapse are the complications of not treating this malocclusion.

Other complications of this problem include:

• Increasing the possibility of tooth decay
• Incidence of gum disease
• Jaw pain
• Severe headaches
• Discomfort or pain when eating
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth completely
• Sleep apnea
• Difficulty speaking

An untreated overbite can also dramatically change facial structure and lead to issues such as reduced self-confidence. If the overbite is severe in early childhood and worsens, it will be cosmetically problematic in early adulthood.

Conclusion

Overbite is a common dental issue that, if left untreated, can lead to long-term complications. At Beach Cities Dentistry, our team offers personalized orthodontic treatments to address overbite and restore dental health. From braces to jaw surgery, we provide comprehensive care to ensure your smile remains healthy and functional. Don’t delay—schedule a consultation today to begin your journey toward a perfect smile.

FAQ

• When is it better to treat overbite with braces?

In treating overbite, the sooner the orthodontic treatment is done, the better. If a person grinds his teeth or presses his jaw, it causes damage to the teeth.

Also, some overbites are related to tooth decay and gum disease. The best time for treatment is in childhood and adolescence.

• How long does it take for an overbite to heal?

Overbite is one of the problems that can be treated with the help of orthodontics. At least two years of treatment are needed to cure overbite.

• Can braces alone cure overbite?

Sometimes, surgery may be needed for effective treatment. In addition to braces, tooth extraction or surgery may also be performed to treat overbite.

For this purpose, Orthodontics refers its patients to dentists and oral surgeons for tooth extraction.

Overbite treatment in children may include a palate expander to increase jaw size to accommodate crowded teeth in a small jaw. An enormous jaw makes it easier to work with braces so that the teeth can be in their correct position without pulling the teeth.

Jaw Surgery to Treat Overbite

In the case of severe overbite, which is more of a skeletal type, dental orthodontics alone cannot bring the patient to the desired result. In this case, there is a need for severe intervention and an invasive method, i.e., jaw surgery.

• This method is mainly used for adults when the teeth and jawbone roots have grown entirely and firmly, and moving them with orthodontic devices is impossible or very time-consuming.
• If the patient needs jaw surgery, the orthodontist will refer him to a maxillofacial surgeon. Finally, jaw and teeth abnormalities are treated with the help of a combination of surgery and orthodontics for overbite.