Correcting an Overbite with Braces

correcting an overbite with braces - lyons orthodontics

correcting an overbite with braces - Lyons OrthodonticsDo you or your child have an overbite? Our Lyons Orthodontic team wants you to know that you’re not alone here. So many people in the world have a stressed bite or even an underbite. So, what exactly is an overbite? Are there ways of correcting an overbite with braces? In this article, our orthodontists at Lyons Orthodontics is answering all your questions about overbites. 

About Overbites

When the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth, this is considered to be an overbite. Overbites are most often the result of an underdeveloped lower jaw or an overdeveloped upper jaw. Typically, overbites are hereditary. However, they may also be as a result of bad habits that started during childhood. This could include extensive use of a pacifier or thumb sucking. It can also lead to concerns with eating, speech, and swallowing.

The good news is that some procedures and treatment options can help to reduce or completely repair an overbite! One of the treatment options could include a range of dental appliances or braces. If you have an overbite, just come visit us at our Fair Oaks or El Dorado Hills locations for a no-obligation consultation! Our team would love to help you or your child create the smile they’ve always wanted.

Braces for an Overbite

Your braces will move the teeth into the right position to correct the overbite. The adjustments can be slow but steady. In time, the upper and lower teeth will be better aligned, thus repairing the overbite.

The majority of overbites can be recognized in children by the time that they reach the age of six. Once identified, your Fair Oaks orthodontist can begin to offer you a treatment plan. The suggested age for treating an overbite is typically between the ages of eight and 14. This is because the child’s bones are still developing and growing, which makes it much easier to manipulate and correct the overbite. Children will most often wear braces to fix their overbite for one to 3 years. Every patients’ smile is different in their own unique way. So, the length of the treatment will vary. Just contact our Fair Oaks or El Dorado Hills office to schedule a free consultation with us!

We want to reassure you that teeth can be straightened at any age. Although, it’s much easier to correct an overbite during the developmental years of a child. It can prove to be a bit more complicated in older teens or adults. That’s not to say that it is impossible to correct at these ages. Adult braces, including the Invisalign Clear Aligners, can help to see some remarkable results with the right type of treatment plan.

The Importance of Correcting Overbites with Braces

While overbites may initially seem like a small dental concern, the truth is that overbites can lead to several oral health issues. Some of the oral health concerns that can result from a severe overbite include the following:

  • Jaw pain
  • Pain in the joints
  • Gum disease
  • Tooth decay
  • Tooth loss
  • Difficulties speaking
  • Concerns with chewing

We highly recommend getting your overbite fixed by the experts at Lyons Orthodontics. We don’t want you to suffer the consequences! It’s typically a quick and easy fix with braces. Braces can help to prevent some of these concerns. They will also have the bonus of creating a healthy, straight, and beautiful smile. 

Another concern about delaying treatment for an overbite, beyond the oral health concerns that may become an issue, is that the damage may be permanent and require surgery to make the repairs.

Which Overbite Solution is Right for You?

There are several solutions for treating an overbite with braces. The best way to determine which of the options is best for you and your smile, visit your local Fair Oaks orthodontist. 

Some of the braces options for an overbite include the following:

  • Metal braces
  • Clear braces
  • Lingual braces
  • Invisalign

Traditional metal braces are typically constructed with stainless steel brackets and archwires. Our friend, Dr. Fardi Farhat, a Sterling Heights Dentist, says that traditional braces are used quite often to fix overbites, as well as straighten out teeth that are misaligned or overcrowded. Many of our patients who choose traditional braces as their orthodontic treatment are children and teenagers. Traditional braces can be used on adults too. However, the majority of adults prefer Invisalign Clear Aligners because they’re hardly noticeable! 

The severity of your overbite will typically dictate the type of braces that are needed. An examination of your jaw position and your teeth, along with 3D x-rays, will help to provide us with a clear understanding of your smile.

If your child has an overbite, it’s best to correct the issue while your child is still growing and developing. Each smile is unique, so make an appointment with Lyons Orthodontics, to find out which orthodontic treatment is best for your smile!

Your Options for Underbite Correction

Your Options for Underbite Correction - Lyons Ortho

Your Options for Underbite Correction - Lyons Ortho

Growing up with a dental problem can have a profound effect on your life, such as preventing you from just smiling like any other person. Fortunately, the field of dentistry has made such huge advances in recent decades that almost every dental problem can be treated or managed. You, therefore, have no reason to live with an underbite when the experts at Lyons Orthodontics can help you achieve a bright and beautiful smile. In this article, you’ll discover some of the treatment options available when you visit Lyons Orthodontics about an underbite.

What is an Underbite?

An underbite is a malocclusion characterized by the lower teeth overlapping your upper teeth by a significant proportion, about 30-50 percent. It is a common condition that affects approximately one in ten Americans.

This condition can cause a variety of problems if left untreated.  You may experience pain while you chew, talk or even breathe. Many people who have an underbite have misaligned teeth. In addition, an underbite predisposes you to gum disease since it is harder for such individuals to keep their teeth clean. Dr. Tim Lyons has also seen many cases of patients whose facial shape has been altered so much by an underbite that the chin appears to be larger than its actual size.

The effects of having an underbite will likely come sooner than later. So, the sooner you get treatment to adjust your bite the better your overall oral health will be. The following treatment options will be considered by orthodontic professionals at Lyons Orthodontics.

Dental Braces

Braces are one of the most common methods that are used not only by Dr. Tim Lyons, but also the entire orthodontics community. The braces restrain your teeth from moving. Then, gradually realign them so that the overlap between your lower teeth and uppers is minimized.

Many patients prefer braces because this option restores their smile in a gradual way that doesn’t strain the bone supporting the teeth. You may be recommended other treatment options depending on your situation. Don’t hesitate to contact our office to schedule a free consultation. 

Jaw Expanders and Retainers

We asked our friend, Dr. Chris Green, a dentist in Parker, CO, about treatment options for underbite. He explains that some people may not be good candidates for braces for a variety of reasons. For some people, jaw expanders and retainers can improve your underbite. A jaw expander stretches the cartilage and bone of the palate so that the arch gets larger as the child grows. In this way, an underbite will be avoided. Jaw expanders work so well that it takes approximately 12 months to correct an underbite.

The Cosmetic Approach

If your underbite is not severe, the orthodontic team at Lyons Orthodontics may recommend a remedy in which your lower teeth are reshaped before veneers are placed on the upper teeth. This method is a quick and simple way to get back your smile. The appearance and functionality of your teeth and jaw will be improved without an invasive procedure.

Jaw Surgery

If your underbite is severe, the possibility of having to undergo jaw surgery as a corrective method is likely. This option is sometimes the only feasible approach for adults with a severe underbite. Your dentist in Folsom, CA is likely to refer you to our Lyons Orthodontics team for this invasive procedure. During the procedure, our specialists will modify your lower jaw so that the position of the teeth matches that of the uppers. You may be recommended a retainer after surgery so that your teeth remain in place.

Tooth Extraction

Another alternative to fixing a severe underbite is tooth extraction. Dr. Tim Lyons and the Lyons team will do their best to preserve your natural teeth. However, they may have to extract a few teeth if the underbite is causing other serious issues. The extracted teeth are then replaced with restorations whose position aligns with the teeth in the upper jaw.

As you can see, there are many underbite correction options available. Of course, it all depends on your specific bite. Get in touch with us at Lyons Orthodontics and we happily see you for a free orthodontic consultation. Once we’ve met with you, we will be able to evaluate your smile and set up a treatment plan for your consideration.