The 101 on Overbites

When the upper teeth extend over the lower set, it is called an overbite or, colloquially, ‘buck teeth.’ Overbite may or may not impair your jaw alignment. However, when it is severe enough, an overbite can cause a number of problems, including tooth decay or even speech impairment. This condition is corrected with traditional braces, ceramic braces, a retainer, or by even more aesthetic methods like Invisalign treatment.

The classifications of an overbite

Some overbites require orthodontic treatments, while others are minor enough to ignore. A severe overbite (called class 2 malocclusion) is when there is a significant gap of several millimetres between the two, even when your jaw is clenched. A slight overbite is when there is very little gap (class 1 malocclusion).

There is another classification, too – skeletal and dental overbite. When the jaw cannot accommodate all the teeth or is too big for your teeth, you may have a skeletal overbite. When jaw alignment is perfect, but the two sets of teeth are not aligned, you have a dental overbite.

Overbite vs. overjets

Often, people confuse overbite and overjet. In both cases, you have the upper teeth jutting over the lower. With an overbite, however, your upper teeth come in front of or over the lower. Overjet is when the upper set protrudes at an angle past the lower set.

Both may affect jaw alignment, and both may also require orthodontic treatments like traditional braces, ceramic braces, or Invisalign to correct if severe.

Causes, symptoms, and complications

Causes and symptoms

A skeletal overbite resulting from genetic factors can pave the way for a dental overbite or worsen it. There are other causative facts for overbites, too, starting with the shape of the jaw and the number of teeth in total. Too many teeth cause overcrowding; too few leave too much gap in between. Missing teeth also result in gaps.

Early childhood habits like thumb sucking or long-term bottle or pacifier use contribute to overbites. So do school-age habits like chewing nails or other hard objects like pencils or pens.

Those who are used to breathing through the mouth or unconsciously thrusting the tongue against the front/ top teeth also develop overbites.

Complications

When an overbite is not addressed with appropriate orthodontic treatments, it can lead to many complications. Common ones like enamel erosion, tooth decay, and gum infections are not the only outcomes. You can also develop headaches and jaw pain or difficulty speaking clearly. Apart from these, chewing difficulties and sleep apnea are lesser-known consequences of severe untreated overbites.

Correcting an overbite

To avert complications and enjoy a beautiful smile, the overbite must be treated correctly. Traditional braces are the age-old treatment for an overbite. They keep the teeth in place by applying the right pressure consistently. However, they are quite visible when you smile or talk. A better alternative is Ceramic braces. A less visible option, these have transparent material holding your teeth in place. These are less apparent to the eye. A retainer is used to keep the teeth in the proper position after the overbite has been corrected using braces.

Invisalign – The popular choice 

Invisalign treatment is growing by leaps and bounds in popularity. Invisalign is clear and invisible against your teeth. An experienced, licensed orthodontist can give you the most effective overbite treatment with Invisalign without compromising aesthetics.

An overbite may or may not lead to pain and discomfort. A severe overbite should be corrected even if you do not feel anything because of it. If you have chosen the popular Invisalign treatment for this, make sure you pick a licensed, qualified, and experienced orthodontist to get the most effective solutions. You may also go with braces or retainers. Are you interested in correcting your smile? Contact Woodlawn Orthodontics today!