Overbite – What is It?
Have you been diagnosed as having an overbite? Perhaps a family member has an overbite, and you’d like to learn more before pursuing your treatment options? There are a number of dental concerns that can be treated with orthodontic care–one of the most commonly treated is an overbite. Just what is an overbite? Let’s dig in.
Understanding an Overbite
An overbite is the term used to describe an overlap between the upper teeth and the lower teeth. Most of us will find that our upper teeth overlap the lower just a bit. In an overbite, that vertical overlap is much larger and can lead to a number of issues if not addressed. Consider this, the average bite will require at least a small overbite. But the upper front teeth should fit neatly over the lower teeth and not leave a large gap between them. If the overlap of your teeth is larger than 2-3mm, it is considered to be an excessive overbite. In some, the overbite might be very clearly visible. In others, it may not.
An overbite can affect both children and adults and should be something that is treated by an orthodontic professional.
What Causes an Overbite?
The root causes of an overbite are typically genetic. Your baby teeth and the way that they grow in can often influence the shape of your jaw. Other potential causes of an overbite may include:
- The use of a pacifier past the recommended age and later on in the child’s development.
- Finger or thumb sucking that continues past infancy.
- Nail biting, which is something that can affect children, teens, and even adults.
It could just be that an overbite is something that runs in your family. If a parent or sibling has an overbite, there are good odds that you do too.
Is There a Difference Between an Overbite and an Underbite?
The overbite will impact the upper part of your mouth, while the underbite will impact the lower part of your mouth. Think of it this way: The upper front teeth will stick out with an overbite, but the bottom front teeth will stick out with an underbite.
Both an overbite and underbite are a type of malocclusion. They’re both largely genetic and both will have an effect on jaw alignment–leading to an incorrect bite.
What Issues Can an Overbite Lead to?
While there is definitely an aesthetic concern with an overbite, the issues can extend much further.
- Bad bite. Our teeth need to be properly aligned in order to function correctly. If, for some reason, the upper jaw is not correctly aligned, the upper and lower teeth will not bite together correctly. This can lead to pain in the jaw, trouble speaking, and difficulty chewing your food.
- Problems in the jaw. An overbite can lead to discomfort and pain in the jaw. It can also lead to stiffness in the jaw, neck pain, headaches, and earaches. An incorrect jaw position can lead to severe discomfort in an overbite that isn’t treated, and it may worsen over time.
- Mental health concerns. Lowered self-esteem can become a concern for those who are self-conscious about the way that their overbite looks. That, combined with discomfort and the potential impact on quality of life, you may find yourself reluctant to smile, struggling with anxiety and even depression.
- Tooth decay. The misalignment of the jaw may mean that you’re at an increased risk of grinding down on your tooth enamel. As a result of this, you’ll be at an increased risk of tooth decay. This, in turn, can lead to infection and the loss of one or more teeth.
- Gum disease. An overbite doesn’t just have an impact on the health of your teeth. It can take a toll on the health of your gums. Gums are not meant to be in contact with the other teeth in your mouth if your bite is healthy. You could potentially develop issues that include gum recession or gingivitis. Gum disease can potentially lead to the loss of one or more teeth,
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In some cases, TMJ can become a concern for those who have an overbite that has gone untreated. You may experience stiffness and pain in your jaw that seems to be worse in the mornings.
The longer that an overbite goes untreated, the more challenging it may become to correct it. Even if you are brushing, flossing, and getting seen by your dentist routinely, the concerns linked to an overbite can make it challenging to prevent issues that can otherwise be completely preventable in healthy teeth.
Treatment Options for Overbites
It’s important to note that the treatment options for overbites can be different for children, adolescents, and adults. Children and adolescents have teeth that tend to be more receptive to adjustment. This means that treatment options are often less invasive and simpler. Adult treatment can take longer and may need more extensive work.
Treatment options for children include:
- The extraction of baby teeth so that permanent teeth can be encourages to grow in straighter.
- Retainers and braces can work well for the majority of children.
- Other devices used to straighten teeth may be an option, including aligner trays.
Treatment options for adults include:
- Tooth extraction, to help guide the other teeth into alignment.
- Braces, with metal brackets attached to the teeth, that can encourage teeth into the desired position. Both braces and retainers help to improve the upper jaw position.
- Jaw surgery is sometimes the treatment choice for severe situations.
The treatment option that is best for you will be dependent on a number of factors, including your age and the severity of your condition. As with many dental issues, it’s typically better to address an overbite when you’re younger. This means that parents should be aware of overbite concerns and take steps to fix them as early as possible.
While it may feel that orthodontic treatments are purely cosmetic, the truth is that a healthy smile with healthy straight teeth and a correct bite, are all so important for your oral and whole-body health.