Living With An Underbite.

Simple things like eating a sandwich or smiling for a photo may feel uncomfortable or embarrassing. While some inconvenience is normal with misaligned teeth, constant pain and daily disruption shouldn’t be. If your underbite is affecting your focus or quality of life, it’s time to seek help.

Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists offers proven solutions to relieve underbite pain and improve function. With over 45+ years of experience, our team is here to help you explore your treatment options and find lasting relief. Reach out today to get started.

Become a Patient

What Is An Underbite?

So, what exactly is an underbite? Colgate defines it as a class III malocclusion—or misalignment—which means that your lower teeth overlap your upper teeth. Underbite teeth may be caused by different factors, such as genetics, injury, or tumors. Actions like nail-biting and tongue-thrusting, pressing your tongue into your teeth when you speak or chew, can also cause an underbite to develop over time.

As you inherit genes from your family that determine your jaw shape and size, you may find that your condition was passed down through genetics, the case for most underbites. If at any time you are injured in the facial area, an underbite may permanently result from the incident, even with surgical intervention. Tumors are another potential cause of underbites, as they will most likely apply pressure to your jaw, pushing it out of place.

Symptoms Of An Underbite.

Ideally, your teeth should extend slightly beyond your lower lip, allowing your molars to rest on one another when your mouth is closed. If this isn’t the case with your teeth, you may have a mild or severe underbite. The latter means that your teeth do not meet at all, potentially causing abnormalities in your appearance and leading to symptoms. Symptoms may include:

Chronic jaw pain
Eating difficulties
Speaking issues
Emotional stress brought on by bullying
Chronic mouth breathing
Halitosis (bad breath) and bacterial infections
Low self-esteem

Understanding The Effect.

While the above-illustrated symptoms are troublesome, even worse effects are possible. Over time, underbites may lead to additional issues such as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), dental complications, and sleep apnea.

TMJ is a condition caused by joint problems that connect the upper and lower jaws and the surrounding tissue. It can lead to headaches, earaches, and facial pain. A misaligned bite means there is more space in your mouth for bacteria to fester, increasing your chance of infection and the likelihood of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Similarly, it may wear your teeth down over time or even cause them to crack.

Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes an individual to temporarily stop breathing when they’re asleep. The pause usually causes the person to wake up, leading to sleep deprivation. From there, it’s slippery to fatigue, drowsiness, and irritability. Underbite teeth may also lead to snoring or other nighttime breathing difficulties.

Underbites In Children.

Underbites are often inherited, which is why early monitoring is key. However, certain habits—like thumb-sucking, prolonged bottle-feeding, or pacifier use—can also contribute to underbite development by placing pressure on growing teeth. To reduce this risk:

Wean them from the bottle starting at age 1
Schedule a dental visit by age 1
Discourage thumb-sucking
Discourage pacifier use

Early detection makes treatment easier and more effective. It’s best to seek evaluation between the ages of 7 and 10 while bones are still developing. Mild cases can often be corrected with non-surgical options like braces, palate expanders, or headgear. For more severe underbites that interfere with eating, speaking, or breathing, early surgery may be necessary. Keep in mind that treatment takes time, and your child may need to wear corrective devices for weeks or months.

Fixing An Underbite With Corrective Measures.

There are many types of underbite correction, ranging in intrusiveness. Rest assured, the recommended treatment option will depend on your age and the issue’s severity. When seeking treatment at a young age, corrective measures that can gradually change your bone structure are favored over big surgeries. However, as an adult seeking treatment, you’ll most likely need said big surgery. Four of the most common treatments for adults are braces, extractions, Invisalign®, and orthognathic surgery.

Become a Patient

Braces

Underbite braces may be placed on your entire smile or only those teeth affected to slowly move your teeth into the correct alignment. Braces are fitted securely onto your teeth and may be clear to better blend in with your natural appearance or made of metal. After removing the braces sometime later, you may need to wear a retainer to hold your teeth in position.

Extractions

If your dentist has determined that crowded teeth caused your underbite, they may recommend an extraction. Removing the extra teeth creates more space for them to position your teeth correctly and reverse the underbite.

Invisalign®

Can Invisalign® fix an underbite? Yes, but it depends on the severity. Invisalign® moves the upper teeth forward or the lower teeth backward to improve bite alignment. The most extreme cases, especially for class 3 underbites, may require Invisalign® treatment combined with surgeries or other treatments.

Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery, AKA jaw surgery, may be recommended if your underbite is causing difficulty chewing, speaking, or biting. During surgery, your doctor will reposition your upper or lower jaw to allow proper functioning. Most orthognathic surgeries will not leave visible marks behind and require at least six weeks of recovery time.

Providing Stellar Underbite Treatment In Atlanta.

Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists has provided expert underbite treatment for over 40 years across metro Atlanta. We work with your healthcare providers to create a personalized plan based on your medical history.

At your consultation, you’ll meet our team, get a full exam with X-rays, and review treatment options, records, insurance, and payment plans. Using advanced tools like SureSmile and Invisalign®, our experienced team delivers top-tier care. Contact us to start your journey to a healthier bite.