Aug 29, 2022 | Clear Aligners
One of the very first things that many people notice is your smile. A bright smile helps you give off a good impression and makes you feel more welcoming. A confident smile is surely going to be one of your best assets. However, certain conditions can affect how much confidence you have. One of these is what we call an underbite.
An underbite is when your lower teeth protrude over the upper teeth. The technical term for underbite is Class 3 malocclusion or prognathism. A malocclusion refers to the condition of the teeth having a degree of misalignment. This could vary from minor malocclusion that is almost unnoticeable to severe conditions where you can see the lower teeth really pointing outward.
Depending on the case, an underbite can be more than just an aesthetic concern. It can also lead to health problems based on the severity of the case. Mild cases of underbite are easy to manage. However, those with serious underbite cases may find complications that could affect their daily life.
Severe cases of underbite can make it hard to chew food. It can also make speaking difficult and create pain from the jaw misalignment. That is why is important for people to understand what causes an underbite, the complications associated with the condition, and how it can be corrected.
Having proper teeth alignment would have the upper teeth slightly fitting over the lower teeth. The molar should also fit onto the grooves of each other. A misaligned jaw or teeth can cause you to involuntarily bite your lips, cheek, and tongue.
There are different factors that contribute to an underbite such as genetics, injuries, childhood habits, and tumors.
Genetics
Cases of underbite are typically hereditary which means it runs in the family. If you have an underbite your mother or your father probably passes it on to you. If there is one person within your family with an underbite, that means there’s also a chance for you to develop one.
Genetics is a huge determinant of the size and shape of our teeth and jaw. You can have teeth that grow really close together, are in a weird shape, or do not fit together properly. Birth defects such as cleft lip or cleft palate may also lead to an underbite.
Injuries
Severe facial injuries are also one factor that contributes to the development of an underbite. When someone sustains an injury to their jaw bone, it is not 100% guaranteed that their jaws would fit perfectly even after surgical alignment.
Childhood Habits
Our childhood habits also have an effect on whether we developed an underbite or not. Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting are some child behaviors that can affect this. in 2012, research revealed that prolonged use of bottles and pacifiers for three-year-olds is associated with underbite development.
Tumors
Tumors in the jaw bones or the mouth can also cause an underbite. Tumors can make the jaw protrude thus an underbite developing.
The seriousness of health issues will differ based on the severity of the underbite. There are health issues that can affect both physical and mental health. TMJ or chronic jaw pain is one of the common issues associated with an underbite. TMJ will create that feeling that your jaw is locked and results in popping sensations and different pain levels in the jaw. This joint problem also leads to dizziness, earaches, toothaches, headaches, and hearing problems.
Other problems experienced with an underbite include difficulty biting or chewing, halitosis, tooth decay, breathing, and speaking problems, and sleep apnea. It can also affect one’s confidence and mental health, especially in more severe cases.
The majority of the population are not born with perfect teeth so it’s something a lot of us want. A slight or minor misalignment does not need medical intervention and is usually considered a cosmetic treatment. But severe cases of underbite should be given treatment and correction.
Correcting a severe underbite makes it easier to clean the teeth, which reduces the chances of gum disease and tooth decay. You will also feel less facial strain on the teeth, jaw, and muscles. Treating an underbite also decreases the risk of damaging your teeth and the symptoms of TMJ disorder that are commonly associated with an underbite.
Medical intervention is the only way to manage and correct an underbite. There will be varying levels of success achieved through surgery or other forms of applicable treatment.
Mild underbite would be recommended to use a dental appliance such as plastic or wire braces. These will shift the teeth into proper alignment. Another possible method is to remove a few teeth on the lower set to reduce the appearance of the overbite. This is recommended for cases that are caused by overcrowding. The dentist will shave or smooth out the tooth that sticks out using a grinding device.
If a dental appliance like braces cannot effectively correct the underbite, surgery may be recommended.
Underbite corrections are done by oral surgeons. There are different types of surgical operations available to correct an underbite. The doctor can reshape the jaw to shorten the lower jaw or lengthen the upper jaw. Plates, wires, and screws may also be used to help maintain the proper shape of the jawbone.
There are risks associated with surgery such as infection, bleeding, scarring, and other risks from general anesthesia.
Treating a case of underbite is best performed at the earliest age when the child’s case is still mild. At the very least, children age 7 can start to get corrective treatment. At this age, the child’s permanent teeth are starting to develop.
Children with severe underbite may be recommended early surgery but as mentioned before, there are risks associated with any surgical operation. This option is, therefore, best suited for children whose underbite is severely affecting their ability to breathe, eat, and speak and decreasing their quality of life.
The cost of jaw surgery to treat underbite will vary per provider. Some health insurance policies cover jaw surgery if the underbite is considered a skeletal defect that causes health complications. Having insurance coverage may require you to only pay $100. If there is a price cap for jaw surgery coverage, you are looking at a $5,000 surgery bill. If the jaw surgery is not determined to be necessary, the cost would balloon to $20,000.
Cases of severe underbite can damage not just one’s confidence and self-esteem but even their quality of life. It is possible to treat the condition. It’s important to consult a dentist and other medical professionals to find the most appropriate treatment.