Carlyle Orthodontics is all about creating amazing smiles. One of the things that can prevent you from having a perfect smile is an overbite. So, what is an overbite, anyway? How can it potentially cause issues?
An overbite is a condition in which your upper set of teeth has a pronounced overlap (overbite) with your lower set of teeth. While a tiny amount of overbite can be a good thing and promote healthy chewing motion, too much of an overbite can be problematic.
If your upper set of teeth overlaps your lower set too much, then you might experience premature wearing down of your teeth, functional and aesthetic issues, and perhaps even pain in your jaw.
Overbite issues comprise nearly three-quarters of dental and orthodontic disorders among children, which makes overbites the most common malocclusion (that is, misalignment of dental arches) affecting children today.
How Carlyle Orthodontics Treats Overbites
Dr. Kimberly Carlyle and her staff have been treating overbite issues and creating beautiful smiles for years. Dr. Carlyle is a proud member of the American Association of Orthodontics and knows how to treat the most common bite issues using a variety of proven orthodontic treatments.
Because some amount of overlap can be a good thing, Dr. Nanda and Dr. Kapila, in their foundational textbook Current Therapy in Orthodontics, say that an acceptable overbite would be around 15 percent. This means that ideally your upper set of teeth would overlap your lower set of teeth by about 15 percent.
However, many patients find that their upper set of teeth overlaps their bottom set of teeth by much more than 15 percent. Sometimes, an overbite is due to genetics. Some children who initially have severe overbites growing up (a “deep bite”) will grow out of the condition as their maxilla and mandible (jaw bones) grow.
If the jaw doesn’t grow enough or if an overbite is left untreated for too long, the teeth can wear down and jaw pain might occur. Orthodontics are there to prevent this. Carlyle Orthodontics uses a variety of treatments, including a discrete Invisalign aligner, to give you the smile that you’ve always dreamed of.
Invisalign Treatment for Overbites
The Invisalign is a clear, plastic aligner that can bring your teeth and dental arches into closer alignment. When Carlyle Orthodontics uses an Invisalign aligner, the aim is to gently reorient your teeth over time in a way that allows you to carry on with your life during treatment.
An Invisalign aligner is nearly undetectable and can be removed at the end of the day. This allows you to brush your teeth and floss in between your teeth so that you can simultaneously correct your overbite and maintain your dental health.
Elastic Bands and Braces
You can correct your overbite at any age, according to orthodontic experts. The best time, though, might be childhood or adolescence since the jaw is still developing during this period and can more easily take correction.
The most common way to treat an overbite is orthodontics, but the specific orthodontic treatment could vary based on the alignment of your teeth and jaw. Braces, aligners, and bands are popular options, but for more severe overbites maxillomandibular advancement surgery might also be an option.
An initial consultation and X-rays taken by Dr. Carlyle and her staff will let you know what the best orthodontic treatment might be.