What Is an Overbite?
An overbite is a dental condition where the upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower front teeth when the mouth is closed. This overlapping can vary from mild to severe and is measured by the percentage of vertical overlap of the upper teeth over the lower teeth.
Symptoms and Complications
Addressing an overbite is essential for maintaining overall oral health and preventing a range of potential complications. Here are some reasons why treating an overbite is important.
Aesthetic Concerns
Overbites can affect the appearance of your smile, causing the upper teeth to protrude significantly over the lower teeth. This can impact self-esteem and confidence.
Tooth Wear and Damage
Excessive overlapping can lead to uneven wear on the teeth, causing them to weaken and become more susceptible to damage such as chipping or cracking.
Jaw Pain and TMJ Disorders
Misalignment due to an overbite can put extra stress on the jaw joints, leading to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. This can result in chronic jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty in chewing.
Speech Difficulties
A significant overbite can impact speech, making it challenging to pronounce certain sounds or words correctly, which can affect communication.
Increased Risk of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Improper alignment due to an overbite can make it harder to clean teeth effectively, increasing the risk of cavities and periodontal issues. This can lead to further dental complications such as tooth decay and gum disease if not addressed.
What Causes an Overbite?
Several factors can contribute to the development of an overbite, including:
Genetics
Inherited traits can play a significant role in jaw and teeth alignment. If your parents had overbites, you might be more likely to develop one as well.
Prolonged Thumb-Sucking or Pacifier Use in Childhood
Extended use of pacifiers or thumb-sucking habits can affect the alignment of teeth and jaw development. These habits can push the upper front teeth forward and the lower front teeth backward, leading to an overbite.
Misaligned Teeth
Crooked or crowded teeth can lead to an improper bite. When teeth don’t fit together correctly, it can cause the upper teeth to overlap more than usual with the lower teeth.
Jaw Development Issues
Discrepancies in the growth of the upper and lower jaws can result in an overbite. This can occur when one jaw grows faster than the other, leading to a misalignment that affects your bite.
How to Fix an Overbite?
We offer various treatments based on the severity of the overbite and the patient’s age:
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontics such as Clear Aligners or traditional braces can correct overbites by gradually aligning the teeth. If you’re wondering, “can braces fix an overbite?” the answer is yes. This method is highly effective for children and teenagers but can also work for adults with proper care and treatment duration.
Invisalign & Clear Aligners
Clear aligners like Invisalign are a discreet alternative to braces, suitable for mild to moderate overbites. These custom-made, removable trays are designed to fit snugly over your teeth and gently move them into the correct position. Wondering if “Invisalign can correct an overbite?”, the answer is yes, it can. Invisalign offers the advantage of being nearly invisible and removable, making it easier to maintain oral hygiene compared to traditional braces.
*For severe cases, particularly in adults, corrective jaw surgery may be necessary to realign the jaws and correct the overbite.
Contact Cranbourne North Dental For Your Overbite Treatments
Don’t wait to take care of your dental health. Contact Cranbourne North Dental today to schedule your appointment and start your journey to a healthier, more confident smile. We look forward to helping you achieve optimal oral health.
Our Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I getting tooth decay?
The most common causes of tooth decay is a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar and a poor oral hygiene routine.
Some people may be more genetically susceptible to tooth decay but that does not mean that preventative measures will not be effective.
Is sugar bad for your teeth?
Sugar is actually the worst and deserves a bad reputation! Bacteria in your mouth love sugar! They feed off the sugar from your diet and they produce acid which damages your teeth. Don’t forget about hidden sugars in food and drink e.g. in savoury sauces, flavoured yoghurts etc.
Avoiding sugar completely would be amazing but very difficult for most of us, so the key is moderation and maintaining an excellent oral hygiene regime and regular dental check up and cleans.
