The main cause of an underbite is usually genetic and not something that can be prevented,
although in rarer cases thumb sucking, mouth breathing, or prolonged bottle feeding in
childhood can have the potential to cause an underbite.

Fortunately, there are several options to effectively treat your underbite so that you can have a
pain-free, healthy smile. What are your treatment options for an underbite?

Orthodontics

Your individual case will be unique, but in many instances, orthodontics can work to correct an
underbite. Your treatment options will include traditional braces along with other options such
as Invisalign in the event that you don’t want visible braces.

Only a professional orthodontist can tell you if you qualify for orthodontic treatment for an underbite, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist or ask for a referral from your dentist to discover your underbite treatment choices through orthodontics.

Upper Jaw Expander

An upper jaw expander is a wire device that is fitted into your mouth. This device is not
removable during the time that it’s worn, but is intended to be adjusted daily at home. An
upper jaw expander will actually help your upper jaw to become wider and therefore alleviate
your underbite.

In many cases, people who suffer from underbites will have to wear the device for about a
year’s time and then wear a retainer afterward to prevent teeth shifting. This device is typically
managed by your orthodontist, so he or she can let you know more about what to expect!

Headgear

Headgear is a device that typically attaches to the molars in your mouth and includes a band
that wraps around the head or neck. Headgear has many applications in orthodontics, including
pulling the upper jaw back in a position called a “reverse pull”.

Headgear can accelerate orthodontic treatment time and can help effectively alleviate both the
appearance and symptoms of your underbite. Headgear is typically only worn at night and for
no more than 12 hours a day, so ask your orthodontist if headgear may be able to help your
treatment for your underbite.

Surgery

In rare cases, you may need to have jaw surgery to correct your underbite. During this
procedure, an oral surgeon will modify the bone in your jaw to reposition the lower jaw farther
back. For the majority of patients, surgery will not be necessary. However, in extreme cases,
surgery may be the most direct and beneficial option to fully correct an underbite.

Do you suffer from an underbite that’s hindering your smile’s function and appearance?
Underbites can be successfully treated, in many cases by an orthodontist. Schedule an
appointment with your dentist today to discuss your possibilities and, if necessary, get a
referral to a trusted orthodontist to help treat your underbite!

The post What Are Treatment Options to Correct My Underbite? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Inherited Genes

Many of the misalignment problems dentists and orthodontists see today are hereditary, meaning they were likely inherited genes that were passed on to you from one of your parents. This could mean that you have a small mouth with too many teeth, different sized upper and lower jaws, or complex bite problems that’ll need to be fixed with orthodontic treatment. This is one of the most common causes of misaligned bites and can create problems that’ll need to be addressed by your dentist. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to prevent this cause of misalignment!

Overuse of Pacifier and Bottle Feeding

What you do as a child can affect your smile as you get older, despite the fact that you lose your primary teeth and get adult teeth in long before you notice there’s a problem. If you used a pacifier after the age of three or were still using a bottle after this age, chances are this affected the bite and structure of your teeth. Dentists commonly see an open bite with this problem that originated in early childhood.

Another problem that could lead to malocclusions of the teeth could be thumb sucking. While it’s normal for babies to suck their thumbs, any excessive use of this can alter the structure of your teeth. If you have children, do your best to discourage these habits long before they can become problems that will require dental treatment.

Injury

Injury to your face or mouth could cause a misaligned bite. This includes accidents, but it could also include subpar dental care, such as poorly fitted restorative dentistry work like dental fillings and dental crowns. Even poor orthodontic work could negatively affect your bite and cause more problems that it was intended to fix!

Injury may also come from losing your baby teeth too early (before the age of four years and six months) or even losing your adult teeth. You may also have tumors that are causing your misalignment, which are always imperative to get checked out with your doctor.

While malocclusions of the teeth can be obvious in appearance for some people, in others, only symptoms will appear such as difficulty chewing or speaking. Your dentist is often the first person who sees that there’s a problem and can help you plan steps to correct it along with your orthodontist. If you experience mouth breathing, uncomfortable chewing, or even problems pronouncing words, schedule an appointment with your dentist. A misaligned bite could be to blame!

The post Malocclusions of the Teeth: What Causes a Misaligned Bite? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.