How Does An Orthodontist Fix An Underbite?
28/07/2022
Having the smile of your dreams can be difficult when you have an orthodontic issue like an underbite. An underbite is a facial issue which causes your lower teeth to stick out and overlap your upper teeth. Underbites can cause significant alignment issues, varying from mild misalignment to a pronounced underbite where your teeth don’t meet at all when your jaw is closed.
An underbite can cause many issues, including:
- Difficulty eating
- Speech problems
- Chronic pain in the jaw
- Cracked/worn down teeth
- Tooth decay
- Mouth breathing
- Sleep apnea
- Emotional distress
- Low self-confidence
Thankfully, there are various treatments to help correct an underbite that can be performed by your orthodontist.
Underbite Correction
- Braces – braces are the most commonly used underbite correction method as they can effectively align your bite
- Upper jaw expander – a wire-frame device that is fitted to your palate that is widened every night for a year to help realign your jaw. Once removed, a retainer is used to promote bone growth
- Tooth extraction – teeth may be removed from your lower jaw if you have too many teeth, causing them to protrude
- Surgery – if your underbite is severe, surgery may be the only option to resolve your issue
Orthodontists are specially trained to fix alignment issues. If you have worries about your bite or the alignment of your jaw/teeth, ask your dentist to refer you to an orthodontist.
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