4 Ways to Deal with an Underbite
Posted on: 2 October 2020
An underbite occurs when your lower teeth stick out further than your upper teeth. The degree to which one's lower teeth stick out further than the upper teeth can vary greatly, regardless of the degree, this condition is considered an underbite.
An underbite is more than just something that you may not like the visuals of. An underbite can cause both face and mouth pain, and it can lead to challenges with biting, chewing, and speaking. An overbite can be caused by a number of things, from genetics to an injury or bad habits as a child. Luckily, an underbite can be corrected through a variety of different means, depending on the severity of your underbite.
Option #1: Braces
If you have a mild case of an underbite, you may be able to correct it with braces that are specifically targeted at fixing an underbite. Braces work best if your underbite is milder, or if you are younger. An orthodontist can evaluate your underbite and determine if this is an option for you. Braces are often the first step an orthodontist will use in order to help correct an underbite.
Option #2: Reverse-Pull Face Mask
Another option is another non-surgical option that many orthodontists recommend, especially for younger patients. You wear a headgear that wraps around the head and helps to pull the jaw back into the correct position. Metal bands are attached to the upper back teeth in order to help get the jaw properly aligned.
Option #3: Upper Jaw Expander
Next, another non-surgical option is an upper jaw expander. This is a device that is worn at night. It is a wire-frame device that is designed to go across one's palate across the top of the mouth. A special key is used to slowly expand the frame over time.
This process takes place slowly over time and helps to widen the upper jawbone. This process can take up to a year to be completed, and afterward, a retainer is used to maintain the progress. This works best on young children whose bone development is still occurring. This option is rarely used for adults.
Finally, the dentist can use a cosmetic approach. With a cosmetic approach, an orthodontist will reshape your teeth on the bottom, and then add a veneer to the upper teeth, in order to reduce the prominence of the underbite and increase the functionality.
If you have an underbite, you need to discuss all options at an orthodontics clinic. It is important that you get your underbite corrected as soon as possible in order to prevent further issues.
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