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Underbite

An underbite is when your bottom teeth overlap your front teeth. Generally, your front upper teeth should slightly overlap your lower teeth and your back teeth should fit into one another.

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The diagram shows what an underbite might look like..

teeth model

What causes an underbite?

There are many reasons why you may develop an underbite. These include:

  • Genetics: the way your jaw naturally develops can cause an underbite

  • Crowded teeth

  • Sucking a dummy or sucking your thumb for too long as a child

  • Facial or jaw injuries which may have pushed your lower jaw forward

  • A tumour in the mouth or jaw (in extremely rare cases)

What problems can an underbite cause?

An underbite can affect your self-esteem and your quality of life. Some of the problems they cause include:

  • A lack of self-confidence: many people choose to get their underbite fixed for cosmetic reasons

  • Difficulty chewing

  • Issues with your speech

  • An increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease

  • Difficulty sleeping: the position of your jaw can cause discomfort when laying down

  • An increased risk of TMJ dysfunction: A condition that causes jaw pain, headaches and earaches)

You’ll need to see an orthodontist to officially diagnose you with an underbite. If you’re interested in getting your underbite corrected, your orthodontist can help you decide which treatment is best for you.

How can braces fix an underbite?

Teeth straightening treatment is the only way to correct an underbite. An underbite won’t correct itself and they generally worsen with time.

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At Wrexham Dental Works, we offer a wide range of braces that can help correct an underbite. Your orthodontist will examine your mouth and decide on the best solution for you. Some of the options include fixed braces (including metal, clear or lingual) and removable aligners such as Invisalign treatment.

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