Overbite
OVERBITE
An overbite is a type of malocclusion where the upper front teeth sit too far over or in front of the lower front,causing a gap between them when the mouth is closed— it is a common type of malocclusion in whichdentisthas spent time researching how to correct them effectively. Treating an overbite is not as simple as it appears,but braces andsurgery have been used successfully for overbite correction.
In this guide, we provide all you need to know about this common dental malocclusion; you should read further to know exactly how you can get it corrected.
Table of content
- What is an overbite?
- Causes of an overbite
- Different types of overbite
- Is overbite bad?
- Why an overbite treatment is necessary
- How to fix an overbite?
- Before and after treatment
- FAQs
What Is An Overbite?
An overbite is either horizontal or vertical —it is a gap or an overlap between your upper and lower front teeth. A horizontal overbite can also be referred to as an overjetwhichis characterised by the upper teeth protruding at the front of the mouth. When the protrusion of the upper front teeth too much, it becomes a more severe case of overbite which is referred to as buck teeth. Overjet can occur along with an open bite, leaving a vertical and horizontal gap between the upper and lower front teeth.
An overbite is considered as regular when the vertical overlap between the front teeth is around 2-4mm, while a vertical gap between 4-6mm is considered as a deep overbite. Where the vertical gap is more than 6mm, it is known as a severe overbite. In this case of an overbite, the upper teeth may cover the lower teeth entirely and even dig into the lower gum.
At Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic in London, we have a dental team that is experienced and skilled to fix your overbite. Do give us a call today on 02071830755 to book an appointment.
Causes Of An Overbite
Several factors can cause this type of malocclusion— they include:
- Genetic factors
- Improper jaw development in a foetus
- Thumb sucking in child
- Overusing bottles or dummies in babies
- Tongue thrusting
- Nail-biting
- Excessive chewing on hard substances like pencils and pens
Different Types Of Overbite
An overbite is of two types; skeletal overbite and dental overbite— askeletal overbite is caused by improper jawbone development in a foetus while dental overbite results from problems of teeth growth in children and adults. An example of dental overbite is overcrowded teeth.
Is Overbite Bad?
You should see your dentist for diagnosisonce you notice you or your child has an overbite to know the treatment procedure that shouldbe adopted in correcting it. The British Orthodontic Society uses the IOTN grading system to classify overbite based on severity and to determine the specificand suitable treatment option— the table below gives you more information:
| Types of overbite | Sizes | Causes | Braces Requirement | Surgery Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Normal overbite |
2-4mm |
dental |
Unlikely |
Highly unlikely |
|
Deep overbite |
4-6mm |
Dental or skeletal |
Very likely |
unlikely |
|
Severe overbite |
Above 6mm |
Dental or skeletal |
Yes |
Likely |
Why An Overbite Treatment Is Necessary
There are manyreasons why you should treat an overbite. When an overbite is left untreated or not treated early, it can cause the following problems:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Teeth wearing down quickly
- Facial pain
- Speech problems
- Poor face structure
If you are considering correcting an overbite in your child,and you are wondering whether he or she should go through the treatment, you should bear in mind that crossbite treatment is more effective in children than adults— treating an overbite in an adult is more challenging because the jawbone and tooth roots have been fully developed.
An overbite treatment may not be as easy as you think. Getting treated with braces, surgery, and the long-term wearing of retainers afterwards may be scary for you,but you must understand that the benefit of having a well-aligned tooth will outweigh the short-term discomfort you might encounter during treatment.
Contact Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic in London, to have your overbite treated. Or you can call us on 02071830755 to book an appointment today.
How To Fix An Overbite?
You will feel concerned when you notice that you have an overjet or a deep bite and you will want to know more about how it can be corrected. You should visit a dentist for proper diagnosis and have a clearexplanation on the different types of overbite and how it can be fixed. You should understand that a normaloverbite is not something you should worry about— overbite between 2-4mm is termed as normal.
Your dentist may suggest different ways to correct your overbite based on the severity— your dentist should be able to give you advice on the most suitable treatment, some of which includes;
Overbite Braces
Braces are very useful for realigning teeth, andmostoverbite correction in the UK are done using this treatment option. The result of braces is life long if you adhere to wearing retainers afterwards as your dentist will recommend. Braces treatment is effective for an overbite; it can take between 1-2 yearsto achieve the desired result.
Some patients do not feel comfortable using traditional or metal braces because of the pain and discomfort associated with them.However, you may consider clear braces which are more convenient and less noticeable than traditional metal ones. You can request for a before and after picture of overbite correction with braces to know the result that you should expect and to also motivate you through the short-term discomfort.
Invisalign For Overbite
Invisalign braces are very effective for correctingmild and moderate overbite. This type of braces are nearly invisible and are suitable and convenient for patients who find it hard to wear traditional braces.TheInvisalign braces are removable—they apply pressure to the teeth when they are worn and gradually move the teeth into the desired position.For effectiveness, new sets of braces must be worn every 2weeks.
An overbite correction may be quicker with regular metal braces, but the Invisalign braces are more convenient and less noticeable. Invisalign braces are more expensive than your traditional metal braces, and many parents are happy to pay extra for their children to avoid metal mouth injury while at school. Some adults who want to maintain a professional appearance or want to have the flexibility of removing their braces prefer Invisalign braces.
Invisalign braces are not suitable for correcting all cases of overbite. You should take the Smile Assessment test from the Invisalign website to know if you or your child is idealfor Invisalign overbite correction—the assessment only lasts for a minute. You can also look-up before and after pictures of Invisalign overbite correction to know what your teeth will look like after the treatment.
Our orthodontist at Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic can give you a guide on how you can correct your overbite using braces. Visit us or call us on 02071830755 to book an appointment or make further inquiries.
Overbite Surgery
Surgery will be needed to correct an overbite that is caused by a skeletal problem (jaw formation). This type of surgery is also referred to as orthognathic surgery, and it is more effective when the lower jaw or mandible has not developed properly.The surgery can improve the shape of your jaw as well as your facial appearance.
Overbite treatment with surgery may involve the removing of some teeth, repositioning the jaw, inserting screws as well as adding plates around the jaw to hold it in position.
There are no visible scars in overbite jaw surgery since the operations are carried out in your mouth. You may need to sleep overnight at the hospital after your overbite surgery and you mayneed to stay off work or school for 2-4 weeks to help your jaw heal faster. Retainers also need to be worn for months after the surgery to put your teeth into proper alignment.
Retainer For Overbite Treatment
Retainers aremost needed to keep your teeth in their right position after your treatment— like your braces; retainers slowly move your teeth into the correct alignment. Retainers are not suitable for correcting all cases of overbite. Your dentist will advise you on the most appropriate treatment for you.
Irrespective of the treatment option you adopt for treating overbite, wearing retainers afterwards is necessary to prevent your newly aligned teeth or jaw from going back to their old position. Contact Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic if you need a skilled dentist to offer the most suitable solution to treat your overbite. Give us a call on 02071830755 to book an appointment or visit us.
Before And After Treatment
It is normal if you are conscious of your smile before you fix your overbite teeth, especially when you have a severe overbite. You may feel pain always on your face or even have a headache sometimes due to overbite pulling back your lower jaw, and your teeth may wear quickeras well because there is more strain on them.
You might notice a change in your facial appearance after your overbite has been corrected because your lower jaw is no longer forward —this change may not be too noticeable, andyou might need to look at your before and after overbite treatment pictures to see the difference. Most importantly, you will be relieved of the pains you used to feel before your treatment.
FAQs
What is a normal overbite?
An overbite is normal when the gap between the upper and lower front teeth is around 2-4mm or when the upper teeth overhang the lower teeth.
How can one get rid of an overbite?
Correcting an overbite is a straightforward process. Your dentist and orthodontistare well experienced, and they can recommend the best treatment for you. Treatment options your dentist may recommend for overbite include braces, jaw surgery and the use of retainers.
Contact Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic on 02071830755 to get the most suitable treatment option recommended to you by our experienced and skilled dental team. You can also visit us in London today!
Does Invisalign Fix Deep Bites And Overjets?
Invisaligncan be used to correct deep bite or overbite. Moderate cases of overbite can be fixed with removable aligners such as Invisalign. They are nearly invisible and more comfortable than your traditional metal braces but cost more. You can take an Smile Assessment from the Invisalign website to know if Invisalign braces are suitable for you.
Can You Fix An Overbite Naturally?
You cannot fix an overbite naturally — you may have constant pain if you leave your overbite untreated. You will need overbite surgery or braces to correct your overbite. Preventing some cases of overbite may be possible if you eliminate habits such as thumb sucking, pencil chewing, or overuse of dummies in your child.
Contact us
Do you have an overbite and you need to consult an experienced dentist? Then Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic is your go-to clinic. Our dental team are skilled and can help you correct your overbite, give you a better facial appearance and improve your confidence. Visit us today in London or call 02071830755 to book an appointment.