A complete guide to overbite correction

Overbite is one of the most common causes of teeth misalignment. Overbite can affect everyone, young and old, and can also cause serious consequences. The main issue with an overbite, however, is that many people do not know how to correct it. That is why we have prepared a complete guide to overbite correction where we will show you exactly what you can do about it. We will cover what an overbite actually is, how you can correct it with invisible braces or surgery, help you identify the best invisible braces company, as well as provide you with a few tips to make the whole process much easier. Let’s get right into it!

What is an overbite?

When your upper teeth overlap with your lower teeth, that’s called an overbite. However, most people have a very slight overbite of a few millimeters, one that allows for natural smiling and chewing. Normally, your upper teeth will cover most of your bottom teeth, protecting them from decay and wear. If an overbite is more than a few millimeters, the bottom teeth will start to grind down or even rot.

There are two different variations of an overbite but both of them are considered a disorder of the jaw. The skeletal overbite happens when the lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw. This results in your upper teeth being pushed forward. A dental overbite happens due to teeth misalignment. The misalignment has the effect of pushing the lower jaw backward, causing a gap.

There are numerous things that can cause an overbite. First, they may have a genetic component, as overbite is known to run in families. Second, an overbite can occur as a result of bad habits such as sucking your thumbs. Doing so can push both the jaw and teeth back, causing an overbite. Lastly, a person can get an overbite through a dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is a hinge between the skull and the jawbone.

The fact of the matter is that practically anyone can develop an overbite. Luckily, almost every single case can be easily fixed through invisible braces or surgery. One of the qualities of a good orthodontist is to be able to figure out the best way to treat overbite in their patients. That being said, you may also wonder why exactly is it so important to correct an overbite.

The importance of overbite correction

Any overbite over four millimeters needs to get fixed. A gap larger than that will make your lower teeth not visible when talking and smiling. Many people find this to be very unattractive. And when people find your smile to be unattractive, it can quickly become a very large personal and professional issue.

More importantly, an overbite can pull on your TMJ and tear the nerves in your cheeks and jaw, causing significant pain. It can also cause grinding of the teeth, upset your gums, as well as cut the inside of your mouth. Furthermore, your lower teeth will not have adequate protection, making them more vulnerable to damage. An overbite can also cause a condition known as sleep apnea, where your flow of air is blocked. This prevents your body from getting the required oxygen and may even lead to heart disease and sleep deprivation.

While overbite correction is important for everyone, it is most important when it comes to children. An overbite can influence how facial muscles and bones develop, making its correction a very high priority. The good news is that you can correct your overbite at any point, through invisible braces or surgery. But an overbite is not the only thing you may need to worry about. If you experience any of the warning signs that you need braces, visiting your orthodontist straight away is the best course of action. They will be able to help you identify, diagnose, and fix any oral problems you might have.

Braces are a great way to correct an overbite

If you are not keen on undergoing an invasive procedure, you may want to look into invisible braces for overbite correction. They will provide you with great results while being practically invisible. However, invisible braces can only be utilized when your overbite is mild. If you have a more serious case, you will most likely need to consider one of the other different types of braces.

If you have never used teeth braces before, here’s a quick overview: First, your orthodontist will attach the braces to your teeth. After that, the orthodontist will fit the elastic bands on the brackets, applying pressure to the jaw. This has the effect of slowly shifting the jaw into place over time, correcting the overbite. If you want to ensure that your teeth are kept straight, you can also opt to wear a retainer.

When you think of braces, the first thing that comes to mind might be the awkward metal brackets. While those are still available, teeth brace technology has advanced significantly throughout the years. These days, you can get braces with ceramic anchors which will appear very similar to your own teeth. You also have the option of getting lingual braces that will fit inside of your mouth and be practically invisible. As mentioned previously, Invisalign is also an option but you need to qualify for them.

How long does the correction take?

Wearing braces will correct your overbite but the time it takes varies from one person to another. You can safely assume that the process will take at least several weeks. That being said, severe overbites may take several years to fully correct. It is best to talk with your orthodontist at length and figure out how long the process will take in your specific situation. That way, you will be able to plan ahead and perhaps consider another option.

How to choose the best invisible braces company

Choosing the best invisible braces for your situation will have you consider five critical factors:

• Quality – Does the company have a high-quality medical review board and are their treatment options FDA-approved? Do the company’s doctors have all the necessary licenses to practice in the US and are they board-certified?
• Value – Are there any hidden costs or additional charges? Does the company provide any discounts or free services?
• Customer support – How clearly are all the options presented to you? Does the company help you provide an easy way to choose the best treatment? How well does the company explain your options?
• Privacy – Will your braces arrive in discreet packaging? Is your private data secure and can it be shared without your permission?
• Speed – How long will it take to get your braces? Is the company’s staff responsive to your inquiries? How long are the waiting times and are they consistent?

Aside from looking at these factors, you will also want to compare the following:

• Price of the braces
• Typical wear duration
• Home or office use
• Minimum age requirement

There’s a lot that goes into choosing the optimal set of teeth braces. In almost every situation, it is best to talk to your orthodontist and have them help you choose the correct set.

You can also correct overbite through surgery

Skeletal overbites with significant complications will usually not be able to be corrected through braces alone. The first step is to have your orthodontist take an X-ray of your skull and search for jaw bone misalignment. If it is present, your orthodontist may recommend surgery to fix it.

While surgery is an invasive procedure, the good news is that you will receive an anesthetic before it. This means that there will be no pain whatsoever, and you will not even remember the procedure itself. One thing to note is that you will need to adjust your diet after the procedure, as well as be a lot more strict with your oral hygiene. Most patients will be able to return to work in a couple of weeks but the healing process will require several months.

Another alternative to surgery is tooth extraction. Removing a few teeth can help the jaw “click” to place, correcting the overbite. Obviously, this is not the ideal solution as those teeth will never grow back, but it is an option for patients that simply cannot undergo surgery for whatever reason.

An overbite is much more than a simple teeth misalignment. Due to exposing your lower teeth to various hazards and rot, an overbite presents a serious oral concern. Therefore, if you are suffering from this condition, looking into your overbite correction options is the best thing to do. If you are looking for the best dental companies or more information about invisible braces or oral care, browse and explore Consumer Opinion Guide. We will provide you with all the information you may need to make the best choices when it comes to taking care of your teeth and mouth.