If you find yourself constantly rubbing your jaw and wincing in pain, your body may be trying to tell you something. It might be trying to communicate a problem that needs addressing in your jaw area, like an overbite. Seeking overbite correction is the only way to stop your discomfort in its track and get back to thoroughly enjoying life. How do you know if the problem you’re experiencing is overbite teeth, and how can you fix it? Let us break it down for you.
Abnormally sized overbites are sometimes referred to as deep bites or severe overbites. You may have a severe overbite (over four millimeters) if you have physical or aesthetic concerns and experience symptoms like tooth erosion. Leaving an overbite such as this untreated may cause problems in the future.
A severe overbite is more noticeable to the naked eye than a minor overbite of less than four millimeters. In addition to being physically unappealing, it has the potential to lead to more
Significant overbites have led to severe pain in the jaw area, specifically the temporomandibular joint. Pain in this area could indicate tearing in the nerves inside your jaw and cheek and may also lead to teeth grinding, which upsets your gums and mouth. Your upper teeth act as a barrier that protects your lower set from various factors. Overbites remove that barrier from your lower teeth, making them vulnerable to getting broken or chipped more easily. Sometimes, a lower tooth may even fall out if it’s struck hard enough, impairing your speech and eating ability.
More severe health complications that overbite teeth can cause include sleep apnea. This means the airflow is interrupted, preventing your body from getting oxygen. It may further lead to sleep deprivation or even heart disease. In comparison, minor symptoms of overbites are:
As we mentioned before, despite what the general population may think, overbites are not caused by teeth but rather by how your jaw develops and grows. Sometimes, overbites are caused by genetics. Compare your jaw shape to those in your family. See any similarities? You may have inherited malocclusion from them, affecting the alignment of your teeth. In some cases, a large overbite may be the result of an underlying jaw issue or missing teeth on the lower dental arch.
Some orthodontists believe that severe overbites and minor overbites could be caused by poor “tongue posture.” Tongue posture refers to the position of the tongue when the mouth is at rest. Your jaw will develop properly if your tongue rests on the roof of your mouth, keeping it closed so that the upper and lower jaws are in contact. If your tongue sits differently, your jaw points are dragged down and backward, which causes them to grow incorrectly. Similarly, an overbite could also develop if your tongue presses too far forward (tongue thrusting).
Other overbite causes include:
Our doctors will examine your child’s mouth, x-rays and development before recommending an expander. Not every child needs one to have straight teeth!
There are two main concepts when thinking about how to fix an overbite: orthodontics and orthotropics. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing and treating malocclusions, while orthotropics treats teeth misalignment by correcting oral and head posture. Orthodontists focus on fixing overbite teeth by bringing the top jaw back to meet the bottom, while orthotropicsts grow the bottom jaw forward to meet the top.
Overbite braces are one of the most popular methods in orthodontic care due to their minorly invasive nature. Braces create alignment between the top and bottom jaw by pulling the front teeth back. In some cases, they may remove top teeth if overcrowding has occurred. Traditional metal braces are usually worn for at least one or two years.
If you’ve consulted your orthodontist and have decided that overbite braces are the way you’d like to go, here’s what you can expect from the process. Your orthodontist will attach metal braces to your teeth and fit elastic bands over the brackets, which apply pressure to the jaw to slowly shift it into the correct position. This works as overbite correction, but it also requires you to wear a retainer to keep them in place.
Today, you don’t just have one option regarding braces. There are several types to consider, one of the most popular being Invisaligners.
Sometimes called “clear aligners” or “invisible braces,” Invisalign is designed for overbite corrections by moving teeth into the correct position. They’re a more comfortable and fashionable choice compared to traditional braces as they’re made of transparent, custom-made trays that apply pressure to your teeth.
Unlike other braces, these can be taken when you eat and drink, meaning particles won’t get stuck inside and cause issues. Clear aligners must be cleaned daily to keep them sanitary and should be worn for at least 22 hours a day. The total length of treatment time for Invisaligners varies, but it will generally fall between 12 and 24 months.
Does Invisalign fix overbites? Yes, when worn correctly, they can.
For many reasons, invisible aligners may be the ideal option for correcting your overbite teeth. Apart from being virtually invisible, they also provide far more comfort than traditional braces. There aren’t any pieces of metal or pointy wire sticking out to irritate your mouth and cause it to bleed. Plus, they may not cost you as much out of pocket.
When choosing Invisalign to correct your overbite, you could benefit from:
If you’re dealing with the symptoms of an overbite, such as headaches, sleep apnea, and a TMJ disorder, you might feel hopeless. You probably think it’s something you can’t control. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are multiple ways to get an overbite correction. To find out what they are, all you have to do is call your orthodontist to schedule an appointment.
The team at Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists will walk you through each step of the process. From getting X-rays to scheduling your appointment for correction and completing your aftercare routine, we’ll provide above-average dental care. Be sure to take a picture of your overbite before and after treatment to compare the results. You won’t believe the difference it makes!
Our dedicated team of dental professionals is ready to help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. Call us today to schedule your appointment.
Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists has created countless straight smiles for patients in Atlanta and Sandy Springs with SureSmile.
