An overbite (or deep bite) is a condition in which the upper teeth are recessed and cannot cover the lower jaw as usual. Underbite not only causes a loss of overall facial aesthetics but also affects the bite, making the chewing process very difficult. This occurs due to many causes, based on which the doctor will prescribe the appropriate solution to bring the highest treatment results, including the method of braces for overbite
1. Causes of reverse bite
Reverse bite (deep bite), or underbite, occurs when the lower jaw develops beyond normal, causing the upper jaw to recede. This condition will cause the two jaws to become disproportionate, making the face no longer harmonious and balanced. Reverse bite can occur due to the following reasons:
1.1. Due to genetics
If grandparents or parents have an overbite in the family, their children may also have this condition. If detected early, some interventions can be taken as directed by a doctor to overcome it most effectively.
1.2. Due to bad habits
Bad habits formed from an early age such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, pacifier use, sleeping with an open mouth, etc. can all cause an overbite. Over time, these actions will create an invisible force on the teeth, pushing the teeth out compared to the normal jaw structure.
1.3. Due to tooth loss
When a tooth is lost, it will create a gap in the jaw, and the remaining teeth will tend to move to the empty position. From there, the teeth gradually become messy, pushed forward and protruding compared to the upper jaw teeth.
2. Effects of reverse bite
Reverse bite can cause some of the following effects:
2.1. Causes loss of aesthetics
Reverse bite causes the chin to be pushed forward, which is easily noticeable when viewed from the side. This makes the face lose its harmony, becomes longer and makes the patient self-conscious when communicating every day.
2.2. Reduced chewing function
The upper and lower jaws do not have a standard bite, which reduces the ability to bite, tear and chew food. This increases pressure on the jaw and also causes some digestive problems because the food is not crushed thoroughly. This condition, if left untreated for a long time, can cause pain because the bite becomes more and more misaligned.
2.3. Increased risk of oral diseases
The condition of buck teeth will make the oral hygiene process difficult and difficult to achieve high efficiency because the toothbrush has difficulty reaching the positions of the tooth roots and misaligned teeth. Food plaque that is not cleaned for a long time creates a very favorable environment for bacteria to grow, leading to some oral diseases such as gingivitis, tooth decay, periodontitis, bad breath, etc.
2.4. Impact on overall health
If left untreated for a long time, an overbite can cause temporomandibular disorder with symptoms such as headaches, discomfort when opening and closing the jaw, difficulty chewing and communicating, etc. From there, the patient will encounter many difficulties in daily life, seriously affecting health.
2.5. Impact on pronunciation
The relative activity between the mouth and the two jaws greatly affects pronunciation. The asymmetry of the upper and lower jaws makes it difficult for the patient to speak because the sound is distorted and unclear. Many cases have lisping, stuttering, and cannot communicate fluently.
3. How to treat an overbite?
Not all cases can be treated with braces to treat an overbite, but it also depends on the cause:
3.1. Treatment of an overbite due to teeth
The jaw is developing normally, but the lower jaw teeth protrude more than the upper jaw teeth. At this time, braces for an overbite are the best solution to treat this case. Orthodontic appliances will be used to help the teeth move to the desired position.
3.2. Treatment of an overbite due to the jaw bone
If the lower jaw bone develops strongly, causing the two jaws to not fit together, braces cannot be used and surgery is required to adjust. However, to perform surgery, the patient must be 18 years of age or older, when the jaw bone has completely stabilized and is no longer growing.
3.3. Treatment of overbite due to both jaw and teeth
In cases where both teeth and jaws are overdeveloped, causing the teeth to protrude, it is easy to see because the face will be bent and deformed. At this time, the doctor may prescribe jaw surgery to return them to normal and continue braces after a period of recovery to achieve absolute effectiveness.
4. How much does it cost to correct an overbite?
How much it costs to correct an overbite will largely depend on the method of braces you choose:
4.1. Correcting an overbite with metal braces
Metal braces are an orthodontic method that has been around for a long time but is still used today thanks to the effectiveness it brings. This method helps teeth move to the desired position on the jaw by the tightening force of the archwire system, the brackets are made of metal. This force is quite strong, so the treatment time for reverse bite with this method is faster than other methods. However, the aesthetics during the braces process are not guaranteed because the color of the metal does not match the color of the real teeth.
The price of metal braces ranges from 30,000,000 – 45,000,000 VND/ 1 course.
4.2. Ceramic braces for reverse bite
With a similar operating mechanism and providing the same treatment effect for reverse bite as metal braces, ceramic braces only differ in the material used to make the orthodontic device. The archwire and bracket system will be made of high-quality ceramic, ensuring aesthetics throughout the braces process because the color of the material can be adjusted to match the color of real tooth enamel.
The price of ceramic braces ranges from 40,000,000 – 50,000,000 VND/ 1 course.
4.3. Correcting overbite with Invisalign clear aligners
Invisalign clear braces are one of the most advanced orthodontic methods today. With this method, the traditional wire and bracket system will be replaced with Invisalign clear braces. During the entire braces treatment, you will need to wear 22-48 braces to effectively correct the overbite.
Invisalign braces are made of transparent plastic and are designed to be personalized, hugging the teeth so they can bring absolute aesthetics. In addition, clear braces will make eating and daily oral hygiene easier because they can be flexibly installed.
The price of Invisalign clear braces ranges from 80,000,000 – 140,000,000 VND/ 1 course depending on the condition of the teeth.
5. How long does it take to fix an overbite?
If treatment is performed early in adolescence from 12-16 years old when the permanent teeth have fully grown but the jawbone is not yet really strong, then overbite braces can bring high and fast results. Although the time depends on how complicated the overbite is, it usually ranges from 12-24 months. The longer you leave it, the more stable the jawbone will develop and the more severe the underbite will be, the longer the treatment time will be.
So braces are the solution to treat the overbite condition in certain cases. To determine which braces method is most suitable, you should go to BIK International Dental Clinic for examination and consultation based on your specific oral condition.
