Treating Overbites Using Braces and Other Options
We all know that having a straight an beautiful smile is a great way to making good impressions. It's also an ideal way for you to have lasting dental health for years and years. One common problem that we treat a lot at our practice involves overbites/overjets.
There are many misconceptions about overbites and what they are, so our team would like to go over the basics right now. When you visit with a skilled Philadelphia orthodontist, you'll receive even more information about this dental health issue so that you know what you're dealing with as well as what your treatment options are.
What is an overbite?
An overbite refers to the teeth of the upper dental arch projecting too far ahead of the teeth of the lower dental arch. The most common causes of overbites include:
- Genetics
- Thumbsucking
- Prolonged bottle feeding
- Prolonged pacifier use
- Nail biting
- Chewing on pens/pencils
It should be noted that a small overbite (usually between 3mm to 5mm) is actually normal and ideal for dental health. Our orthodontists serving Philadelphia will only treat overbites that exceed the ideal range.
Types of Overbite
There are actually two kinds of overbites:
- Vertical Overbite: A vertical overbite refers to the amount that the teeth of the upper dental arch overlap and cover the teeth of the lower dental arch.
- Horizontal Overbite: A horizontal overbite refers to the extent to which the upper dental arch protrudes in front of the lower dental arch.<
Problems Associated with Overbites
Having a pronounced overbite can lead to several problems, including:
- Pain while eating certain foods
- Speech impediments
- Bruxism/teeth grinding
- TMJ Disorders
It's ideal for overbites to be treated sooner rather than later to ensure optimal dental health. Treating the overbite in children is especially helpful since they are still growing future dental health problems can be avoided down the line. Thankfully there are different orthodontic treatment options that can accomplish this.
Treating Overbites
The most common treatment option for overbites if Philadelphia braces. Using brackets, wires, rubber bands, and carefully applied pressure/tension, the position of the teeth can be adjusted for a more ideal alignment.
In some cases, other orthodontic treatments will need to be considered for addressing the overbite, such as orthodontic headgear or even dental surgery. We will always strive to perform the least invasive procedure possible since these tend to be better for patients in the long run.
Will Invisalign be ideal for overbite treatment?
In some cases, Invisalign will prove to be a great option for treating an overbite. Generally, however, these instances of overbite will need to involve the position of the teeth in the upper and lower dental arches rather than issues related to jaw position.
Weighing All of Your Options for Care
As you can see, there are many different treatment options that we can use to help improve your dental health. If you should have any questions about these treatments as well as other alternatives to consider, we'll be more than happy to answer them for you.
Learn More About the Latest Orthodontic Care Treatments
For more information about treating overbites as well as other orthodontic problems, be sure to contact an orthodontist in the Philadelphia area today. The entire team here looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve the best possible dental health.