Written by the team at Lakestone Orthodontics
When you smile do your top teeth cover most of your bottom teeth? You probably have an overbite. While many people have a slight overbite which is completely normal, deep overbites have a long term damaging effect on your oral health. At Lakestone Orthodontics, Dr. Patel helps patients all across Western New York understand and correct their overbites with personalized treatment plans.
What is an Overbite?
An overbite occurs when your upper front teeth extend too far over your lower front teeth when you bite down. In a healthy bite, the upper teeth should overlap the lower teeth by about 2-3 millimeters. When this overlap is greater than that it is classified as an overbite and depending on the severity, orthodontic treatment may be required to preserve your oral health and boost your confidence!
Often people mistake an over jet for an overbite. Often referred to as buck teeth, this is when the teeth are tilted out. This is a more severe oral issue that should be treated with orthodontic solutions to improve confidence, long-term oral health and make eating easier.
What Causes An Overbite?
Overbites develop from several factors and often combinations of factors.
Genetic Factors
Your jaw shape is largely determined by your parents genetics. If your parents had overbites, it’s quite likely you will as well. Overbites can be caused when your lower jaw is slightly shorter creating an overbite or your upper jaw is overgrown. Both are caused by your genetics.
Childhood Habits
Childhood behaviors can form overbites as well. Prolonged thumb sucking and pacifier use, tongue trusting and nail biting can push the front teeth forward creating an overbite or over jet.
Jaw Development Issues
While growing the lower and upper jaw can grow at different rates. This can lead to a permanent overbite as the teeth shift forward and back while the two jaw bones grow.
Missing Teeth
Gaps from a missing tooth that never grows in will cause the surrounding teeth to shift. Creating gaps, under bites and overbites.
Why Should You Correct An Overbite?
Beyond feeling more confident with a straight smile there are important oral health concerns that misaligned teeth can produce.
Excessive Tooth Wear
An overbite will cause your lower teeth to scrap against the back of your upper teeth wearing down the enamel on the inside. This can lead to chips, increased sensitivity and cavities. Over time you may need crowns or the teeth removed if the wear and decay is severe enough.
Relieve Jaw Pain
Misaligned teeth can put stress on your jaw joint or TMJ (temporomandibular joint). TMJ pain is very common with 12 million cases in the US each year. It can be relieved by correcting the bite.
Improve Speech and Chewing
Properly aligned teeth can reduce or eliminate lisps and make it easier to chew!
How we correct Overbites at Lakestone Orthodontics
Overbites are treatable at any age. We see patients at every age who are looking to improve their confidence and oral health! Depending on your needs, budget and lifestyle we can offer a solution that best fits your life.
Metal braces
The traditional and tested method for correcting teeth! Modern metal braces have come a long way since they were first put into use. With more advanced planning software and slimmed down version treatment is faster and more comfortable than ever!
Invisalign
While Invisalign can’t treat the more severe cases, it’s an excellent choice for people looking to minimize the impact on their daily lives while creating their beautiful smile!
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are the best of both worlds. Able to solve almost any orthodontic issue while remaining hidden behind the teeth. Letting you continue to smile with no one knowing your getting the orthodontic treatment you need!
If you’re concerned about your long term oral health or confidence. Come in for a free consultation and we can set you up to smile for life!
