What is an Underbite?
An underbite happens when the lower jaw extends further forward than the upper, causing the lower teeth to overlap the upper teeth when the jaws come together. This jaw misalignment can affect self-esteem and, left untreated, lead to chronic headaches, speech difficulties and trouble eating.
Causes and Challenges of an Underbite
Genetics is the most common cause - meaning an underbite often develops naturally and isn't preventable. Some habits can contribute though:
- **Thumb-sucking** - if it continues past the age of 3, it can affect how teeth and jaw develop, eventually leading to an underbite.
- **Spacing issues** - gapped, crowded or missing teeth can lead to spacing problems. Good dental care from a young age helps.
- **Other causes** - heavy bottle use as a baby, jaw injuries and (rarely) tumours can lead to misaligned teeth and underbites.
Treatment Options for Underbites
In orthodontics today, professionals use cutting-edge technology to make impressive improvements to confidence and smile. For the most severe cases, orthognathic surgery may be needed before braces, but most underbites can be treated with fixed or removable braces alone.
Braces work by applying gentle pressure to slowly move the teeth into better alignment, which then influences the underlying jawbone as it settles into the new tooth position. After braces, retainers keep both teeth and jaw in their new alignment - skipping retainer wear allows everything to drift back.
The Most Effective Brace for an Underbite (When Surgery Isn't Needed)
Treatment depends entirely on your specific case. If braces alone can fix your underbite, there are a few options.
Ceramic and Traditional Fixed Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces have long been a reliable option for various orthodontic issues, including underbites. Metal brackets and wires gradually shift teeth into position. They're visible but they're effective and durable.
Ceramic braces are a more aesthetic alternative - tooth-coloured or clear brackets make them less noticeable. They're well-suited to treating underbites, though typically a little more expensive than metal.
Invisalign
Underbites can also be treated with Invisalign®, allowing you to correct your bite discreetly and comfortably. The aligners gradually reposition teeth - for underbites, that involves moving the lower teeth back and the upper teeth forward. As with other braces, retainers afterwards are essential.
For more severe underbites, your orthodontist may use special attachments (small tooth-coloured dots of dental bonding material) to give the aligners extra grip in specific places. Elastics worn with the aligners can also apply additional pressure to help realign the bite.
How a Specialist Orthodontist in Sandbach Can Help
Not every underbite qualifies for Invisalign® - if the cause is skeletal (for example, an excessively large lower jaw), jaw surgery may be needed alongside aligner or brace treatment.
The first step is a proper assessment. Book a consultation with a Specialist Orthodontist at Cheshire Orthodontics and we'll examine your teeth and jaws, and talk you through the best route for your case.