Unfortunately, we aren’t born with perfect teeth. If we were, there’d be no need for dentists and orthodontists! The good news is that most of the time, our dental problems can be solved with the help of a good dentist.
What Causes an Overbite?
An overbite is one of the most common problems people have with their teeth. Although you can be born with an overbite, it can also be caused by a slew of things including grinding your teeth, joint dysfunction, or not getting your teeth fixed in time.
In children, oftentimes an overbite is caused by excessive thumb-sucking, prolonged use of the bottle, or using the pacifier too much. The sooner you get an overbite fixed, the easier it will be to do it. However, the longer you wait the worse the problem will be.
Different Kinds of Overbite
Believe it or not, there are two different types of overbites. The first one is known as the skeletal overbite. This is caused when your lower jaw is much smaller than your upper jaw and therefore your teeth get pushed towards the upper row.
The second type of overbite is called a dental overbite. This happens when your teeth are misaligned despite the fact that your lower and upper jaw are aligned together. As a result, the teeth that push the lower jaw back end up in an overbite.
Fixing an Overbite
If you have an overbite, don’t fret. Most overbites can be easily fixed with the help of braces. Many people think that braces are used only to fix crooked teeth, but they can also be helpful in fixing overbites.
The first thing your dentist will do is fit you for your braces. If your overbite is a bit more severe, you may have to get overbite braces. The braces will also allow your teeth to realign properly thus helping you get rid of your overbite.
The next step in fixing an overbite is to be fitted with elastic bands. These bands are placed onto the brackets of the braces in order to encourage your jaw to shift in the position that it needs to be in. This may be painful in the beginning due to the fact that a lot of pressure has to be added to your jaw for it to start adjusting.
When you are done with the braces, your dentist will likely fit you with a retainer that you must wear for at least two years after getting your braces taken off. This is to ensure that your teeth remain in the correct position.
Surgery is another way for people to get their overbites fixed if braces simply cannot get the job done. If you have a skeletal overbite, chances are you will need to have your jaw corrected via surgery. This method is not recommended for children as their bones are still developing.
Lastly, tooth extraction is another way to get rid of an overbite. If your overbite is caused by overcrowding of teeth, removing some is the best way to fix the problem.
