Dr. Loew and Dr. Patel often encounter questions about overbites and underbites. Loew and Patel Orthodontics have offices in Flemington, Annandale, and Bridgewater to help with all kinds of bites. Overbites and underbites represent two of the most common dental issues we see. In addition to your smile, they can impact your oral health and self-confidence. Fortunately, with the right approach, including braces, we can effectively address what’s giving your bite the blues.
Understanding Overbites and Underbites
Overbites and underbites are two types of dental misalignments that can affect people of all ages. An overbite happens when your upper teeth protrude significantly over the lower teeth, often called “buck teeth.” On the other hand, an underbite is characterized by your lower teeth extending beyond your upper teeth. As a result, your chin has a more pronounced appearance.
These conditions are not merely cosmetic concerns. They stem from differences in how your jaw aligns or how your teeth are positioned. Causes can range from genetic factors to habits developed in childhood, such as thumb-sucking or prolonged use of a pacifier. Overbites and underbites can lead to difficulties in chewing, speaking, and maintaining oral hygiene without proper treatment. Moreover, untreated bad bites can really knock your self-esteem down.
The Impact of Overbites and Underbites
Underbites and overbites can profoundly impact your oral health and overall well-being. For starters, they can complicate essential functions such as chewing and speaking, making everyday activities uncomfortable and challenging. Over time, these alignment issues can also contribute to uneven wear on your teeth. Wear and tear on your teeth increases your risk of damage and decay. Furthermore, overbites and underbites can strain your jaw muscles and joints. The result? Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. TMJ/TMJD is characterized by pain and dysfunction in your jaw joint and muscles.
Beyond the physical implications, overbites and underbites can also affect your self-esteem and confidence. Many Loew and Patel patients with noticeable dental misalignments may feel self-conscious about their appearance. Self-consciousness impacts your social interactions and quality of life. Thankfully, Dr. Loew and Dr. Patel recognize the multifaceted impact of these conditions.
How Braces Come Into Play
Braces are a cornerstone in orthodontics for correcting dental misalignments, including overbites and underbites. Braces work by applying continuous pressure on your teeth. Over time, the pressure forces your teeth into a new position. This process improves the alignment of the teeth and helps adjust your underlying jaw structure. Conventional braces are composed of metal brackets and wires. They’re highly effective in treating various alignment issues, from mild to severe. Customizing braces, tailored by experienced orthodontists like Dr. Loew and Dr. Patel at Loew and Patel Orthodontics, ensures you receive a treatment plan specifically designed for your unique dental structure. Our team’s personalized approach allows for efficient and effective correction of overbites and underbites. Correcting your bite improves your orthodontic health and gives you a more harmonious smile.
Treating Overbites with Braces
Treating overbites with braces is a meticulous process that requires precision and expertise. Dr. Loew and Dr. Patel of Loew and Patel Orthodontics bring that exact caliber of expertise to your care. Braces correct overbites by realigning your teeth and adjusting the position of your jaw. The treatment involves attaching brackets to each tooth and connecting them with a wire. Our team will periodically tighten your wire to shift your teeth and jaw into alignment.
For overbites, additional orthodontic appliances, such as rubber bands or springs, may be used in conjunction with braces to apply extra pressure in specific areas, encouraging the correct jaw positioning. Our comprehensive approach addresses the aesthetic concerns of overbites and functional issues, improving biting, chewing, and speech.
Your treatment timeframe varies depending on the severity of your overbite and your individual response to the braces. Our Loew and Patel Orthodontics team provides continuous support and guidance throughout your journey. We keep you comfortable and informed. Expect a significant improvement in your overbite by the time your treatment ends. Beyond that, you’ll notice a healthier bite pattern and a more balanced, confident smile.
Addressing Underbites with Braces
Addressing underbites with braces involves a strategic approach to gently guide the lower teeth and jaw into a more natural position. Braces help align them correctly with the upper teeth. At Loew and Patel Orthodontics, Dr. Loew and Dr. Patel use braces not just as a tool for straightening teeth but as a means to correct the complex jaw misalignment that underbites often present. Our process may involve using traditional metal braces, which effectively exert the necessary pressure to adjust the location of your teeth and jaw over time.
We may also opt for clear aligners, lingual, or clear braces. All of that depends on your case and what the doctors determine is best for you. In some cases, treating underbites with braces may also require specialized appliances, such as palatal expanders, to widen your upper jaw or reverse-pull face masks to encourage forward growth of the upper jaw.
How long will your treatment take? It can vary, often depending on the severity of misalignment and what your treatment involves. Our dedicated team at Loew and Patel Orthodontics monitors progress closely throughout your treatment, making adjustments to ensure optimal results. Ultimately, we aim to achieve a visually pleasing alignment and improve your bite function and oral health.
Underbites And Overbites Are Over
At Loew and Patel Orthodontics in Flemington, Annandale, and Bridgewater, Dr. Loew and Dr. Patel dedicate themselves to rejuvenating smiles and improving oral health. Whether addressing overbites or underbites, our practice utilizes braces and specialized orthodontic techniques tailored to each patient’s needs. We believe in the power of a well-aligned smile to enhance confidence and quality of life. If you’re considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or a loved one, let our experienced team guide you toward the smile you’ve always desired. Together, we can achieve remarkable results beyond aesthetics, ensuring a healthy, functional bite for years. Go here to schedule your free consultation.
