Do you have an overbite but don’t want to wear braces? Learn more about your options!

Did you know that the medical term for the alignment of your teeth is occlusion? It makes sense, then, that when teeth line up incorrectly, it’s known as a malocclusion. Malocclusion can take several forms, but you’ve probably heard of this common one: overbite, or “buck teeth.”  

Overbites (or when your upper teeth jut out noticeably over your lower teeth) can range from severe to minor, depending upon the size of the gap between upper and lower teeth. If minor, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary. One study estimated that 8 percent of a sample size of 7,000 people between the ages 8 to 50 showed a severe overbite of 6 millimeters or more, with the average overbite 2.9 millimeters. Luckily, overbites can be treated successfully, especially if caught early in childhood.

Why Do I Have an Overbite?

The groundwork for overbites are in your genes. The shape and size of your jaw and teeth are set at birth as is the spacing between your teeth. But some behaviors may contribute to misaligned teeth, too. 

For example, that old wife’s tale about thumb sucking and pacifiers causing overbites actually has some truth to it! The constant pressing of the tongue (or any object) against the front teeth can cause an overbite. It can even happen to adults who have a habit of thrusting their tongue against their front teeth.

Teeth grinding, nail biting, and chewing on a pencil are all habits that can cause an overbite if done over a long period of time. In some instances, a weak temporomandibular joint (TMJ) — the hinge between your jawbone and skull — is the source of the overbite.

Far from being merely a cosmetic issue (and a distressing one for many people), an overbite can lead to serious dental and other physical impairments. When lower teeth are left unprotected by the upper teeth, the lower teeth are vulnerable to chipping. It can also be difficult to clean bacteria and plaque between misaligned teeth, which can easily lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Additionally, people with an overbite can experience jaw pain and headaches. Misaligned teeth also make it hard to chew food, or even speak. Overbites may lead to serious breathing problems including sleep apnea if the malocclusion blocks air flow. For those reasons, correcting an overbite is necessary for good oral health.

Correcting an Overbite

Although you can generally correct an overbite at any stage in life, doing so during childhood yields the best results, as this is when the jaw is still developing and can be more easily manipulated with the gentle pressure of braces. The process could take months or years, depending on the severity of the overbite.

Braces come in the traditional metal types, with elastic bands on the brackets. However, less noticeable braces that use ceramic or clear aligners work just as well. An orthodontist will evaluate your overbite and suggest a type suitable for teeth and jaw alignment. Invisible aligners, also called Invisalign, are typically recommended for mild to moderate overbites.

If an overbite isn’t corrected during childhood, the malocclusion will likely worsen as you grow older. Correcting more serious overbites may require a tooth extraction or possibly even jaw surgery. If your upper teeth are overcrowded, removing one or more teeth can force the jaw into proper alignment.

If the problem stems from a severely misaligned jaw, an oral surgeon can reposition the jawbone by building up or removing some bone material. Surgical plates, screws, and wire will hold the jaw in place as it heals. Because the incisions are made inside the mouth, there is little external scarring.

Correcting an overbite can be accomplished at any age, so don’t delay treatment if your overbite is causing you pain or making you self-conscious. It’s never too late to straighten your teeth and have a great smile.

Get Your Teeth Right

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Fort Collins location today! Our highly trained dentists can check your teeth and correct your overbite with a variety of techniques. Don’t live near our For Collins, Colorado office? Find one of our other locations near you.

Fort Collins
2117 Custer Drove
Fort Collins, CO 80525