Underbite

An underbite is a common dental misalignment in which the lower teeth extend further than the front teeth. This noticeable dental condition may lower a person’s self-esteem or cause them to express unintended facial expressions. While many people wish to correct this issue for aesthetic purposes, aligning an overbite can also improve your overall dental health.

Many underbite cases result from genetic factors that contribute to a small jaw shape. Excessive thumb sucking is also often a cause for misalignment as it places excess pressure on the teeth, which pushes them out of place. If you receive a jawbone injury that does not heal properly, alignment issues may occur and cause an underbite.

Most cases of underbite have easily identifiable symptoms of the lower jaw extending further than the upper jaw. In addition to a visible appearance, other underbite symptoms can include mouth breathing or pain in the mouth or jaw. In severe cases, you may also experience difficulty speaking, such as developing a lisp due to the altered position of the tongue and teeth.

Underbite correction has numerous benefits for your dental health. When you fix your jaw alignment, your teeth will be easier to clean, which will reduce your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Proper jaw alignment will also place less strain on your teeth and facial muscles to reduce your risk of breaking a tooth or experiencing jaw pain disorders.

Many cases of underbite are easily treatable with dental devices. Orthodontists often perform underbite correction during childhood because the jaw does not finish developing until after puberty. Some treatment options include:

• Braces: Nicolas Orthodontics offers several types of braces for underbite treatment to help our patients straighten their teeth and realign their jaw with a method that works for them.
• Invisalign®: Invisalign will help move the teeth into a straighter position while being aesthetically pleasing due to its transparent design. Nicolas Orthodontics is a top Invisalign provider in the Boca Raton and Boynton Beach areas and will create a custom Invisalign treatment to meet your needs.
• Palate expander: An upper jaw expander is ideal for children and gradually widens the upper jaw until the upper teeth rest outside the lower teeth. Our palatal expansion services include easy installation to help your child achieve the perfect smile.

While it may seem like a good idea to attempt to correct your overbite at home using direct-to-consumer orthodontics, this method may cause injury or further damage your teeth. At Nicolas Orthodontics, we provide expert care to patients of all ages and cater to your needs to help you achieve your ideal smile. We have patients underbite correction before and after images available to view. Our team has provided services for over 20 years, making us a reliable and knowledgeable solution for any dental issues you may encounter.