Can Underbite Be Fixed With Braces In North Tampa?
A lot of patients ask us if braces can fix an underbite, and the answer is usually yes. When you close your mouth, your lower teeth should be in front of your upper teeth. This is called an underbite. This misalignment changes how your teeth work and how your smile looks. We have successfully corrected many cases of underbite at Miller Orthodontics utilizing several orthodontic methods. The most important thing is to figure out which treatment works best for you.
Braces can fix a lot of different kinds of underbites. Brackets and wires are used in traditional metal braces to shift teeth into the right places. Braces fix an underbite by moving your upper teeth forward or your lower teeth backward. Sometimes both movements happen at the same moment. The process takes a long time since teeth migrate through bone slowly. Elastic bands are typically very important for treating an underbite. These little rubber bands hold your upper and lower braces together. They put modest but steady pressure on your jaws to help them line up correctly.
Braces alone may not be enough to fix your underbite if it is very bad. Orthodontic treatment without surgery usually works effectively for mild to moderate underbites. Your teeth may not be in the right place, but your jaw structure is still rather typical. Braces can move your teeth into the right position to establish a correct bite in certain situations. During your first appointment, we carefully look at your case. We can learn more about how your teeth and jaws work together by looking at digital x-rays and pictures.
Age is important when using braces to fix an underbite. Kids and teens often get great results because their jaws are still growing. With the help of braces and specific devices, we can occasionally help the jaw grow in the right way. If you catch it early, you can stop the underbite from getting worse as your child gets older. Braces for adults can also fix underbites, but the method may be a little different because the jaw has stopped growing. The goal of adult treatment is to move teeth into better placements, not to change how the jaw grows.
A combination approach may be needed for severe underbites that involve a lot of jaw misalignment. For the best results, orthodontic therapy should be done with orthognathic surgery. Braces straighten your teeth, while surgery moves your jaw bones into the right place. This may seem scary, yet the combination makes amazing changes. We work closely with highly trained oral surgeons who are experts in these kinds of surgeries. But braces alone can fix a lot of underbites, so surgery isn’t always needed.
The length of treatment is different for each person. It usually takes between 18 months and three years to fix an underbite. More complicated cases might take longer. Based on our evaluation, we will provide you a realistic timeline during your consultation. Regular appointments every six to eight weeks help your treatment go well. We inspect the fit of your elastic bands and modify your wires during these appointments. You need to keep these visits if you want to stay on track.
You will need to make certain changes to your daily life if you wear braces. It could hurt in your mouth for a few days after you obtain braces or have them adjusted. This pain is natural and usually goes away fast. Pain medications that you can get without a prescription can help with any soreness. You need to stay away from several foods that could hurt your braces. Brackets can break if you eat hard stuff like ice or nuts. Caramel and other sticky foods can pull brackets off your teeth. Most people may readily adjust to these modifications in their diet and find them easy to handle.
Braces make it even more vital to keep your mouth clean. It’s easier for food to become stuck around brackets and wires than on bare teeth. Brushing your teeth after every meal helps maintain your gums healthy and stops cavities from forming. It takes a little more work to floss with braces, but there are special equipment that make it easier. We show you how to clean your teeth the right way so you feel good about doing it. Taking good care of your teeth will make sure they appear healthy and beautiful when your braces come off.
It is very important to wear elastic bands as directed to fix an underbite. These little rubber bands do much of the work of moving your jaw back into place. Some patients want to skip them because they seem like a simple thing. But irregular wear makes treatment take a lot longer. We tell you exactly how to put on your elastics and how often to change them. If you follow these steps carefully, you’ll get the best results in the least amount of time.
Fixing an underbite has more benefits than just how it looks. Your teeth will fit together better, which will help you chew food better. This better breakdown of food helps with digestion and wellness in general. When your teeth and jaw are in the right place, it is easier to talk. After fixing their underbite, a lot of patients feel better and have less jaw pain and headaches. People generally feel better about smiling and have more confidence when their faces are more balanced.
Money is always a factor in the decision-making process. Getting braces is a way to invest in the health of your mouth for the long run. We work with most insurance companies to help you get the most out of your policy. Many dental insurance cover orthodontics, which lowers the amount you have to pay out of pocket. We have flexible payment arrangements for amounts that insurance doesn’t cover. Before you start treatment, our experts will go over all the charges with you. We think that everyone should be able to get good orthodontic care, no matter how much money they have.
People in North Tampa trust us for full treatment of their underbites. We have a lot of experience and have been trained in new ways for every case we take on. We use contemporary technology to carefully plan treatments in our office. We make our office a friendly place where patients can ask questions without feeling bad about it. We care about your worries and aspirations, and we take the time to fully address them.
When you start treatment for an underbite at Miller Orthodontics, you join a team that really wants you to do well. We keep a careful eye on your development during therapy. Every change gets you closer to a bite that works and is nutritious. The change happens slowly, but the end rewards are worth the time and effort it takes.
Many people in North Tampa might get braces to fix an underbite. The first thing you need to do is set up a meeting to talk about your case. We will look at your bite, take any necessary pictures, and talk over your treatment choices. You will leave knowing for sure if braces can address your underbite and how the treatment works. We can help you have a smile that works well and looks great. A simple chat is the first step on the road to fixing your underbite. Dr. Zack Miller is a trusted orthodontist in North Tampa, dedicated to helping patients achieve confident, healthy smiles through advanced and personalized orthodontic care.