In normal jaw alignment, the upper front teeth slightly overlap the lower front teeth by 2 to 4 millimeters (about 5/32 of an inch). This small overbite allows your teeth to bite and cut food effectively, creating an attractive, gap-free smile.
However, it’s possible to have “too much of a good thing.” An excessive overbite is one example. When the upper teeth overlap the lower ones too much, it can lead to several short- and long-term oral health issues.
At Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry, our child dentists and orthodontists know how to recognize and fix an overbite. To learn more about overbite correction and to schedule an appointment for your child at our Scottsdale office, call (480) 422-4544.
What Does Having an Overbite Mean?
Dentists and orthodontists refer to an excess overbite as a form of malocclusion, which is Latin for “bad bite.” It is also known as a “deep bite.” Your child’s dentist will be the first to recognize an unhealthy overbite.
Left untreated, an overbite can lead to the following symptoms and dental health problems:
- Tooth enamel erosion, the excessive wear of which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease
- Upper jaw and lower jaw pain and neck pain
- Problems with proper breathing
- Temporomandibular joint disorders
- Headaches and earaches
- Problems with speech
- Bone loss
What Causes an Overbite Condition?
An overbite may occur for reasons outside of your or your child’s control. Specifically, they may be caused by genetic factors that affect tooth alignment.
In other situations, the condition can be the result of child habits like thumb sucking, thrusting the tongue forward when chewing and swallowing, teeth grinding, nail-biting, or pacifier use after age three.
Can Overbite be Prevented?
There is little that can be done to prevent overbites caused by genetics.
However, there are steps you can take as a parent to prevent childhood habits from causing an overbite. Specifically, parents can:
- Discourage thumb sucking
- Stop permitting pacifier use after the age of three
- Use 360-degree sippy cups that allow your child to sip from the side
Another preventive measure is to regularly bring your child to our Scottsdale dental office for check-ups. We can spot a potential overbite problem early and help you take steps to prevent it from getting worse.
Older children, adolescents, and adults can prevent overbites by using a night guard, which can reduce the effects of tongue thrusting during sleep.
Are There Other Conditions Similar to Overbite?
Another malocclusion issue that patients sometimes confuse with an overbite is what dentists call an “overjet,” or a horizontal overbite.
This condition occurs when there is too much of a gap between the teeth, rather than the upper teeth closing too far over the lower front teeth. This causes the upper teeth to protrude too far forward.
Overjet is commonly known as “buck teeth.”
Treatment Options for Overbite
An overbite can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. The best time to correct it is in childhood when bones are still growing and more easily reshaped through orthodontic treatments like metal braces or, in milder cases, Invisalign aligners.
Invisalign treatment is most effective for mild to moderate overbites. Although Invisalign treatment is effective for most overbite conditions, it may only be partially effective for severe overbite cases. Other available overbite treatment methods for these more severe cases include traditional braces or even overbite correction surgery.
Your child’s pediatric dentist can diagnose the extent of an overbite in your child and recommend the best proper alignment treatment for severe overbite.
In more significant overbite cases, your child may require support from other dental devices, such as headgear (or palate expanders) and retainers, after braces are removed.
It may also be necessary to perform a tooth extraction of one or more baby teeth so that the remaining teeth can align correctly.
For adults, overbites can still often be corrected using braces and retainers. However, more substantial cases may require corrective jaw surgery.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Us Today
If you think your child may need orthodontic work for overbite or misaligned teeth, we offer free consultations! Our Arizona dental and orthodontic offices are in Scottsdale. We also serve clients in Phoenix and the greater Maricopa County area.
Schedule your child’s appointment to learn more about dental or orthopedic needs by calling (480) 422-4544 to set up a free consultation. Or, you can contact us online.
Remember, the best way to prevent serious overbite problems is early treatment. Call us today.
