What is an overbite, and how does it differ from a normal bite?
An overbite essentially is the amount of overlap you have of your top teeth overlapping with your bottom teeth. When we look at a normal bite, we actually do want you to have a little bit of an overbite. Essentially, what is normal is that about 20 to 30% of your upper teeth overlap the bottom teeth. The issue with an overbite, though, is when it starts to get very deep and the upper teeth overlap the bottom ones too much. That can end up causing issues over time.
What is the difference between an overbite and an overjet?
Overbite is the vertical overlap of the top teeth with the bottom teeth, whereas overjet is the horizontal distance between the top teeth and the bottom teeth. As those top teeth get further out, that would be a larger overjet, which is an increase in the horizontal distance between those two teeth.
How does an overbite compare to an underbite, and how are they treated differently?
Going back to the overbite we talked about before, that's when the front top teeth are in front of the lower front teeth. We have that overlap vertically of those teeth. When we're talking about an underbite, that's when it's essentially flipped. Instead of the top teeth being in front, the bottom teeth are in front.
These are treated differently because when we have a larger overbite, we usually have an issue with the top jaw being too far to the front or too far down. Whereas with an underbite, it's usually an issue of the bottom jaw being too large, and therefore those front teeth have been pushed out in front. The treatments will differ in terms of the orthodontist needing to treat either the top jaw or the bottom jaw for your specific condition.
How does an overbite affect a person's smile and side profile?
Part of the issue with a deep overbite is that because those teeth are overlapping so much every day when you're chewing and eating food, those teeth tend to rub together and hit each other as your jaw moves. This can eventually lead to those teeth wearing down, chipping, and even breaking due to the extra force in the front.
The other issue with an overbite is that because the teeth tend to be further down, you will have a very flat profile from the side. You won't have the prominence of your lip where your upper lip is supported as well, which gives a less aesthetic look that we're normally looking for with the support of your teeth in your face.
What are the causes of an overbite, and can it worsen over time?
When it comes to overbite, there are a few different reasons it can happen. Some of the main ones include a genetic component, so it can run in the family. Other causes include losing teeth in the back, which leads to the front teeth starting to overlap more. It can also be due to damaging the teeth through grinding, which causes the back teeth to shorten, worsening the overbite over time.
Additionally, there are changes over time with the teeth, as movement or crowding worsening can cause an overbite to worsen over time.
What is considered a severe overbite, and how does it impact oral health?
As I mentioned previously, usually we're looking for about a 20 to 30% overlap of those top teeth with the bottom ones. When we start getting more than 50 to 60%, that starts to become a more severe situation where now, because the teeth are overlapped so much, when you use your teeth and you're chewing, and naturally our bottom jaw moves a bit, it will cause them to bang together. This can lead to them wearing down over time and potentially chipping or breaking.
What are the risks of leaving a severe overbite untreated?
As I mentioned, chipping and breaking are the main risks over time. The risk of waiting is that if your front teeth do end up chipping or breaking, or you have a severe overbite, it makes it very difficult for the dentist to fix those issues. If we replace, say, that chipped part with a new filling or with a crown, it's very likely that the treatment will also end up chipping over time because of the overbite you have.
The earlier you treat it and get the teeth back into the proper position, the less chance your natural tooth structure will break. That's always best because our natural teeth are the strongest option and the best option to last you for the rest of your life.
How can an overbite be corrected and what treatment options are available?
When it comes to an overbite and other issues of tooth alignment, generally that's treated through orthodontic treatment. At our office, we typically refer that out to an orthodontist. They will then look at what's going on in the patient's mouth and decide what treatments they can do.
Usually, there are two main options. Number one is braces, where you have metal brackets on the teeth with a wire that moves the teeth into the proper position. The other option is Invisalign or another clear aligner therapy, which is a set of clear trays you wear over your teeth. You wear them for about one to two weeks at a time and then move on to the next set, working your way through the series as the teeth move into the proper position. Which one is used depends on the individual situation and how much they need to move the teeth. But those are generally the main two options.
Another option sometimes needed in addition is surgical options if the overbite is severe or there's a severe issue with the alignment of the jaws. They may discuss surgery to move the jaw into the proper position so the teeth line up as needed.
How long does it take to fix an overbite with braces or Invisalign?
This is highly dependent on how severe the overbite is and where you're starting from to where you want to go. Generally, when you look at orthodontic treatment, usual treatment ranges between 1 year to 2 years. That would be the most common length of time for treatment.
How does overbite correction with braces work?
Essentially, braces move the teeth into a more ideal position to reduce the amount of overbite. Depending on your situation, there are many different things that can be done because every case is slightly different. Usually, they're moving those teeth up or outwards so you don't have as much overbite, and the teeth are now lined up in a better position.
Are there other ways to fix an overbite without braces or surgery?
Depending on how severe the overbite is or how many teeth are involved, sometimes we have the option of doing cosmetic treatments like veneers to change the shape and position of the teeth slightly to decrease the amount of overbite. This is generally reserved for milder cases and would need to be assessed by a dentist to see if it's a possibility. But sometimes that is an option instead of braces.
What do overbite results before and after treatment typically look like?
Generally, when you look at treatment, especially from an orthodontic standpoint, the results can be quite drastic because of the large difference in the position of the teeth before and after. A lot of the time, you have teeth slanted backward, causing a very flat profile from the side. By getting the teeth into the proper position and now having proper lip support and support for the rest of your face, these results can be very drastic and look quite pleasing aesthetically.
Want to learn more? Call Renew Dental at (204) 817-6768 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.