A tiny fraction of people possess perfectly aligned and straight teeth contrary to what books or movies may tell us. The majority of people don't have perfectly straight teeth at the time of birth. Teeth that appear slightly off-centre usually do not require medical attention. However, fixing an unbalanced bite could be beneficial if the underbite is serious.
An underbite is an issue where the lower jaw of a patient extends past its upper jaw. This causes the lower teeth to face the upper teeth when your mouth is opened. It can manifest in a variety of ways and is often due to genetics. It can be caused by childhood habits like thumb sucking, breathing into the mouth, or prolonged use of a Pacifier.
Do you require correcting an underbite?
Based on the extent of the bite, the complications may range from minor to severe and can affect physical and mental health. Many people who suffer from an underbite have issues, including:
Self-esteem: Underbite significantly alters one's facial appearance. The chin is caused to grow out and appears bigger than it actually is. The strain and pain that is constant can cause someone to appear older. The result could be excessive self-consciousness.
Speech: Speech To produce sounds such as "f" or "s" the bottom and top teeth have to align. If the teeth aren't aligned properly and it makes it hard to say certain words. This issue can trigger anxiety and self-consciousness, especially during adolescence and the teenage years.
Smile: A prominent lower lip can cause an insufferable, swollen, limp smile. People with an underbite often have difficulty getting their mouths to form conventional smiles, which can lead to self-scrutiny.
Chewing: Chewing unbalanced teeth can cause chewing difficulties. Because they are unable to chew and swallow food, those with severe underbites have a higher risk of becoming choked.
Jaw pain: When it's difficult to maintain your teeth in a straight line (as when you have an underbite) You will feel more pressure, which can cause headaches and jaw pain. TMJ may cause a feeling of your jaw becoming stuck or trapped. TMJ can cause long-term jaw discomfort. It can also have adverse effects such as frequent headaches and toothaches.
What's the treatment for an underbite?
In the most severe instances, surgery might be necessary to adjust your jaw manually. There are alternative, less invasive ways to align your lower and upper jaws. Since their jaws are in formation and are easily adjusted, it's ideal to receive treatment early. Treatment options commonly recommended for patients suffering from malocclusion vary based on their health history, age and the severity of the problem.
An upper jaw expander: The upper jaw expanderThis device is positioned on top of the roof and is widened each night as treatment develops. As time passes the arch of teeth will increase as the upper and lower jaws will be aligned.
A reverse pulls face mask Similar to headgear: The mask wraps around the head and is attached to the upper teeth of the back using metal bands, allowing the jaw's upper part forward so that it is aligned with the lower jaw.
Chin caps: This device blocks your lower jaw from expanding more by wrapping it around the jaw lower and the chin. This is a fantastic alternative to stop the incorrect development of the jaw in children or teenagers with jaws that need to be built.
The veneers and braces: Traditional braces can be used to correct mildly misaligned smiles. Veneers may also be put over the top teeth in order to straighten the jaws' top and base.
Tooth removal: Relieving stress caused by overcrowding may let the jaw ease and return to its normal posture.
Next steps
Malocclusions can affect more than appearance. They can also affect the growth of your jaws and can cause many dental problems. The Dencare clinic specialists can assist you when your bite is affecting the growth of your jaw. Make contact with a dentist in orpington to set up a consult and to learn more about treatment options.
