Treating Overbite is very important. The human body is not just beautiful; it’s fascinating. How every part is intricately interconnected to function together is just amazing. When a specific part of your body goes out of place or suffers some form of disfigurement, it affects the body’s aesthetics and function. The human teeth are one case study.
Your facial features determine your smile’s appearance, which, in turn, affects your looks. It also impacts your oral and overall health. Therefore if you have an overbite, you should have it treated as early as possible. This procedure not only serves to rectify the seemingly physical flaw but also to avert potential health risks.
Overview of An Overbite
Some people have rather large upper jaws that can overlap the lower jaw. The effect is longer upper teeth, which are not easy to confine inside the mouth. This phenomenon is popularly known as an overbite in dental terms. The size of the overbite can vary from one millimeter or more. When the overlap between your lower and upper teeth is quite deep, it is defined as malocclusion and classified as a severe overbite.
The primary catalyst for malocclusion is a recessive chin, which alters the shape of your face. In such a scenario, your face appears more round and much shorter giving you an aged look. Deep overbite or malocclusion doesn’t just affect your overall facial features. It comes with additional physical discomforts such as migraines or TMJ pain. Due to this, patients with malocclusion usually tend to grind their teeth and clench their jaws consistently.
Is an Overbite Bad and What Causes It?
Yes, an overbite is bad, and from the above explanations, it’s pretty bad for your health and looks. Severe overbite is even worse. As to what causes this painful condition, several factors can answer this. They include genetic overbites, also known as skeletal overbites, which may be hereditary. Accidents, chronic illnesses, and individual habits also lead to an overbite. A good example of such habits that can cause an overbite is thumb sucking, among others.
If your child tends to suckle his or her thumb, he or she is a potential overbite patient. The consistent back and forth movement of the lips and tongue cause the upper jaw to shift in shape and position. Consequently, the finger in question pushes the lower teeth and bones backward, gradually resulting in an overbite.
Why Are Overbites Bad?
The answer is simple – Because they affect more than just your health and your looks. An overbite can profoundly affect your ability to communicate, especially your speech. If you have an overbite, you may find yourself speaking with your tongue instead of your lips, and that may affect the coherency of your speech as you strain to express yourself better.
You can even suffer a speech impediment, and you speak. Overbite problems are not only uncomfortable, but they are also embarrassing, and you shouldn’t live with them if you can help it.
Can an overbite get worse over time? Yes. An Overbite is like a chronic illness. If left untreated, it can establish its ugly presence and take a heavy toll on you. Therefore, you should visit your orthodontist or oral surgeon if you experience any form of overbite problems. These medical professionals can help identify the root causes of the condition early to determine the most effective overbite correction or treatment options.
Importance of Treating Overbite
As we have noted, the health issues associated with an overbite requires early and proper treatment. The longer the delay, the more you will be clenching your jaws and grinding your teeth. Consequently, your teeth get worn down by the constant friction and strain. Gradually the overbites grow from bad to worse. You’ll experience severe discomfort when brushing your teeth and during the general cleaning of your mouth.
Due to poor oral hygiene, you will start to develop gum disease and tooth decay, or even possible tooth loss. But it doesn’t stop there. The constant headaches and TMJ pain eventually lead to poor nutrition because you will be in so much pain to eat nutritious food, leave alone solid food.
So when you ask, is an overbite bad? These are the sort of answers you get. Lots of unpleasant dental health issues that can only be solved by your orthodontist. The earlier you seek help for your overbite problems, the higher the chances of averting future complicated facial or oral surgery.
What Are Your Options for Treating Overbite
There are several treatment options available for fixing an overbite. If you type a search query that goes something like “how to fix an overbite,” you’ll probably come up with several search results centering around the following:
● Splint therapy: This treatment option includes braces
● Invisalign clear aligners: An upgrade of the traditional braces
● Surgery: This is ideal for skeletal or genetic overbites.
Splint therapy for treating Overbite
Your orthodontist will use splint therapy to realign your lower jaw in the right position. The procedure relieves pressure on the jawbone’s nerves and blood veins, thereby reducing the TMJ pain. Orthodontic braces follow the therapy to steady the jaws to avert shifting until it is firmly in place. If you’re not experiencing a severe overbite, your doctor will forego the splint therapy and apply braces.
When it comes to braces, there are two types: the traditional brackets and wire braces used to reposition the teeth gradually within a specific time. Compared to the conventional braces, the ceramic and Invisalign braces are more sophisticated and not easily noticeable. They’re also less inconveniencing when it comes to food and drink choices.
Furthermore, they can only be removed by the orthodontist once the specific period of repositioning your teeth is over. Consequently, you’ll be unable to clean your mouth more thoroughly within that time.
Invisalign for Treating Overbite
If you would like the more convenient and less visible braces, then go for Invisalign treatment options. These braces are clear, not easily noticeable, and you can remove them when you want to take meals. The flexibility allows you to stick to your regular diet even when you are undergoing overbite treatment. The only downside is that each treatment session, which can be at least twice a month, requires a new set of aligners.
Alternatively, you can opt for lingual braces, which are just as clear and less noticeable. Lingual braces are fixed at the back rather than the front of your teeth. Depending on your overbite’s severity, discuss the best Invisalign treatment options with your orthodontist. Despite being easily noticeable, the traditional brackets and wire braces remain the best option for most conditions.
Surgery
This type of treatment for overbites is only applicable in severe overbite cases. For instance, a genetic or skeletal overbite may require an oral or facial operation to rectify the physical deformity into a more natural position.
Treatment Costs For Overbites
Treatment costs for overbite depend on the seriousness of the condition and the required treatment option. Prices are generally affordable, but Invisalign and similar clear braces are a bit more expensive. Your health insurance can cover the cost of treating overbite or overbite correction. However, it would help if you discussed the payment options with your orthodontist.
Bottom Line
If you’ve got an overbite that’s causing you problems, it’s crucial to book an appointment with your oral surgeon or orthodontist for treatment. Once you have received the necessary treatment or overbite correction, always maintain the best oral health practices by observing high oral hygiene. It would be best to have regular dental checkups at least twice a year to help maintain a healthy dental life. If you have any queries about overbites or overbite correction and treatment, please contact Houston’s best dental practice, Zara Dental, and we will see how we can help.
