What is a Underbite?

underbite art with text and logo

Underbite is a term for a dental disorder marked by lower teeth reaching further outward than the upper teeth. This disorder is often termed a malocclusion or prognathism of Class III.

Some cases of underbite can be complicated, which means that the lower teeth are extremely ahead. Many forms are milder, and almost not noticable.

Effects of a Underbite:

An underbite is not just a cosmetic problem. Although some people can learn to live with mild cases, serious cases may cause problems with oral health, such as:

1. Difficulty chewing and biting food.

2. Experience difficulty enunciating certain letters.

3. Face and mouth pain due to jaw misalignment.

4. A droopy smile.

Treatment:

Many people are not born with their teeth perfectly aligned. In general, slightly misaligned teeth need no medical attention. But it can have great advantages to correct any problems, especially when it is serious.

Common underbite treatments include:

Reverse Pull Face Mask- Very important part of your orthodontic treatment. A reverse pull headgear will help to move your upper jaw forward with growth, which is critical to do at a young age, thereby reducing or possibly eliminating the need for very involved jaw surgery later in life

Upper Jaw Expander - This system is put on the mouth roof and expanded as the treatment progresses each night. The upper and lower jaw are brought into line as the dental arch grows wider.

Chin Cap- This system wraps around the chin and lower jaw so that it does not develop and spread further.

Braces and veneers- Braces or veneers may be used to fix mild underbites.

By following the prescribed treatment plan cleaning your teeth becomes much easier. Your chances also decrease for tooth decay and gum disease. You may also notice that your teeth, jaws and face muscles are less stressed. Underbite correction may minimize the risk of losing a tooth, as well as the unpleasant symptoms of temporomandibular.

When there is no suitable alternative in any of those procedures, surgery can be done to fix the underbite. Generally, braces are required after holding the teeth in line before the mouth is modified. Bite injuries are more difficult to fix as the jaw is fully formed in adulthood, requiring surgery as an alternative over the non-surgical alternatives.