Should I Correct My Overbite?

An overbite occurs when your top front teeth extend over your bottom front teeth. This is also referred to as “buck teeth.” Overbites can be hereditary, and they can also be caused by nail-biting, excessive thumb sucking or pacifier usage, tongue thrust, and teeth grinding. You may be wondering if you should correct your overbite or even how to correct it.

How Do I Know If I Have an Overbite?

The easiest way to tell if you have an overbite is just by looking. The more severe an overbite is, the more obvious it is. Depending on mouth size, shape, or if the overbite is a little more subtle, a dentist or orthodontist will be able to diagnose an overbite during a check-up or with an x-ray. That’s why it is important to make regular dentist visits to catch concerns quickly. Just because you may not notice an overbite doesn’t mean it’s not affecting your oral health. 

Should I Correct My Overbite?

 An overbite does more than just affect your appearance. An overbite can cause difficulty in fully opening or closing the mouth or discomfort while eating, create speech challenges, and lead to jaw pain. Even if you have an overbite but are not experiencing these symptoms at the moment, overbites can lead to other serious issues down the road, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Another serious cause of an untreated overbite is premature wear and tear to your teeth, gums, and palate. When you have a significant overbite, your upper front teeth can wear down your lower front teeth. Your lower teeth may also rub against the gums behind your upper teeth, causing gum recession and increasing your risk of decay.

How Do I Correct My Overbite?

There are many different ways to correct an overbite depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the bite. If an overbite is treated during childhood, treatment may include the use of a palate expander to widen the jaw during growth, the removal of teeth to make room for adult teeth to prevent overcrowding, braces to correct alignment, and retainers to keep teeth aligned after braces. For adults, clear braces or aligner treatments such as Invisalign can help to realign teeth affected by the overbite. An additional option for adults is surgery to correct jaw alignment to reposition the jaw so the front teeth no longer create overlap with the bottom teeth.

If you suspect you have an overbite, book your free consultation at Milnor Orthodontics. The Orthodontic team at Milnor will ensure you receive the treatment that is best for you and the type of overbite you may have. You can book an appointment online today or use the free virtual consultation to receive a smile assessment and get the best treatment plan for your healthiest smile.