Do I Need Braces For An Overbite – An overbite is a common orthodontic condition where the upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth, causing problems ranging from difficulty chewing to increased cavities.
Fortunately, an overbite is something that can be corrected. Below, you’ll find information on what an overbite is, its causes, and options for correction, including overbite braces.
Do I Need Braces For An Overbite
An overbite is a misalignment of the teeth in which the upper teeth extend beyond the lower teeth. It is also sometimes called crooked teeth or buck teeth. Mild overbites are common in most patients and may not cause problems or require treatment unless desired for cosmetic reasons. In the United States, approximately 75% of people have misaligned teeth, and approximately 8% of the population have a severe overbite of 6 mm or more, requiring medical attention [1].
Everything You Need To Know About Braces
A mild overbite is fairly common, affecting about 75% of Americans, while only 8% have a severe overbite.
Overbites can be caused by a variety of things, but the most commonly associated factors are genetics and childhood habits such as thumb sucking and pacifier use beyond the age of three. These actions put outward pressure on the upper teeth as the mouth grows and permanent teeth develop and can create or worsen an overbite. Overbites can also be caused by jaw joint alignment issues or crowded teeth.
The problems caused by an overbite depend heavily on the severity of the overbite. If you have a mild overbite where the overlap of the upper teeth is not severe over the lower teeth, you may not have any jaw or mouth problems.
However, if your overbite is a more severe overlapping of the jaws or teeth, you may experience jaw or mouth pain when chewing, breathing problems, speech problems, and an increased risk of cavities, dental caries, and gum disease [2].
Overbite Or
Overbites occur when the upper front teeth overlap the lower teeth. If left untreated, an overbite can lead to health complications, such as irreparable tooth damage, jaw pain, and discomfort when chewing.
Metal braces are one of the most common types of braces. With traditional brace treatment, the orthodontist usually starts by taking X-rays to see where your teeth are now. Then they fit metal brackets to your upper and lower teeth and connect them with metal wire.
Rubber bands are attached to wires and branches, and these rubber bands apply constant pressure to the teeth to help pull the lower teeth forward and help bring the upper teeth back into alignment. These are suitable for most medium overbites.
Transparent braces are an orthodontic treatment that works very similarly to traditional metal braces, but with one major difference. They have clear brackets or brackets in a color that match the natural color of your teeth. The threads are also clear or white.
Am I A Good Candidate For Lingual Braces?
This means they are much less visible, making it the best treatment for people who don’t want them to be the star of their smile.
Lingual braces work in the same way as traditional braces. The difference is that they are placed behind the teeth instead of in front. Lingual bands provide all the benefits of traditional bands but with aesthetics that are almost imperceptible during healing.
However, lingual braces as an orthodontic treatment have some specific disadvantages, including being more expensive than traditional orthodontics and speech problems [3]. You may find that you are more likely to bite or scratch your tongue or experience speech changes with lingual braces.
Clear aligners, such as bite aligners, are a relatively new technology that allows you to achieve a correct slight overbite and straighten teeth without having to endure traditional orthodontics.
Overbite Before And After Braces
A specialist takes a cast of your teeth – in some cases you can even do this yourself at home – and a series of aligners are made to help realign your bite. Each set of aligners gradually moves you from your current overbite to a straighter alignment.
Some of the benefits of these aligners are that they are not very visible for better aesthetics, they do not require frequent visits to the dentist, and they can be removed for better brushing and flossing. They can provide results much faster than traditional orthodontics and some other brands of aligners. Check out our bite aligners review for more details.
Severe cases of overbite may require jawbone surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, for correction. Overbite surgery is usually performed when the overbite is caused by misalignment of the upper and lower jaws or a major structural problem with the face.
During jaw surgery, the surgeon may move the upper jaw—and therefore the upper teeth—backward for better alignment or widen the jaw to better match the lower jaw. In some cases, jaw surgery involves moving the patient’s lower jaw along with or in place of the upper jaw.
Braces For Overbite
Jaw surgery is usually part of a treatment plan to correct an overbite, and usually requires braces or other orthodontic treatment.
Dental extractions are usually performed to correct crowding, which can contribute to an overbite, or to prepare the mouth for orthodontic treatment. In this procedure the gum is numbed and then the tooth is forcefully removed.
After a tooth extraction has been successfully completed, you can usually have braces or aligners fitted to the remaining teeth to complete the overbite correction and keep the teeth in the correct position.
Although splint therapy is a more common treatment method for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, it can also be used to help correct a mild overbite that does not require surgery. A repositioning splint is worn throughout the day to help shift your teeth into a more aligned position.
Overbite Braces And How They Can Help
There are many orthodontic care options for overbite treatment, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. They range from the less invasive, such as splint therapy and clear aligners, to the more invasive, such as traditional braces and surgery.
As seen above, orthodontics is a traditional solution for correcting overbites, but it is no longer the only option. There are several options depending on your dental needs and the severity of the overbite. Clear aligners are one of the most popular methods for correcting a slight overbite.
Clear aligners can be a practical option for treating overbites. At-home aligners like Bite or Alignerco can successfully correct a slight overlap and can mean fewer trips to the dentist, less money spent, and a more comfortable treatment experience. Check out our AlignCo review for more.
However, it is important to note that clear aligners are not an appropriate option for everyone, and those with a more severe overbite may need to turn to traditional treatments instead.
What Is An Overbite?
The amount of time it takes to heal an overbite depends on the severity of the condition and any other dental problems that may be present. In general, you can expect to spend six months to two years repairing your overbite. However, severe overbites may take even longer to heal.
Ready to see how an overbite can be corrected with braces? Below you will find before and after images of overbites that have been corrected so that you can get a better idea of what to expect after your treatment is complete.
Yes, braces can correct overbites. Traditional braces are one of the best-known treatments for correcting an overbite and have been used for decades with great success.
However, traditional orthodontics can be painful and expensive and requires multiple visits to the orthodontist for adjustments. They can also make wearers more self-conscious because they are highly visible when talking, smiling and eating.
Overbite / Overjet Differences
They correct a dental overbite by bringing the teeth back into proper alignment. Just as constant external pressure (such as thumb sucking) creates an overbite in the first place, braces and attached rubber bands exert inward pressure on the upper teeth to help them fit better.
The orthodontist will take pictures to get a better idea of what your bite looks like above and below the surface of the gumline, then create a treatment plan for how braces will fit over time to correct the overbite.
Although people with a mild overbite probably won’t notice much change in their face after correction, you may notice some differences if your overbite is more severe. Overbite correction can make your jawline more defined and in proportion with the rest of your face, and it can also help balance your chin and other facial features.
A minor overbite on the front teeth may take about six months to treat, but the more severe your overbite, the longer it will take to heal. Up to two years is typical, and in some cases you may need even longer treatment as recommended by your dental team.
What Is An Overbite, Underbite, Crossbite? Amazing Smiles Orthodontics
An overbite is a common problem where the front teeth protrude over the bottom teeth. This can be corrected with a variety of dental options, from traditional metal braces to clear aligners.
Each option has its own set of pros and cons, but aligners can be a convenient and effective option for many people looking to achieve a better smile. If you are interested in aligners to correct your overbite, discuss it with
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