Overbite North Tampa
An underbite happens when your bottom teeth are in front of your top teeth when you close your mouth. This disorder changes the way your jaw works and might change your daily life in ways you would not expect. Many of our patients at Miller Orthodontics have had an underbite for years without getting help. But dealing with this problem sooner rather than later will make your life much better and keep things from getting worse.
Different people have different reasons for having an underbite. Genetics is usually the most important factor in how the jaw grows. If your family has had problems with jaw alignment in the past, you might be more likely to get an underbite yourself. The lower jaw can grow too much or the upper jaw may not grow sufficiently. Things you did as a child, such sucking your thumb or drinking from a bottle for a long time, might also affect how your jaw grows. In some situations, damage to the jaw during childhood can change how it grows.
Having an underbite makes life harder in ways that go beyond how you look. When your teeth aren’t in the right place, it might be hard to chew food properly. A lot of patients have trouble with some foods since their bite doesn’t let them break down meals quickly. An underbite might sometimes make it hard to speak clearly. Some people get a lisp or other speech problems because of how their teeth and jaw are set up. Another common issue we hear from patients is pain in the jaw. The misalignment makes your jaw muscles work harder, which can cause headaches and soreness.
Finding a problem early on makes a big difference in how well treatment works. As their kids become older, parents should look for symptoms that their jaws are out of alignment. A lower jaw that sticks out or trouble closing the mouth are clear signs. Some kids have a hard time biting into things like apples or sandwiches. Some people breathe through their mouths more than usual. If you see any of these indicators, making an appointment for a consultation might help you figure out what to do next.
Your age and the severity of your underbite will determine what treatments are available. We can sometimes help younger patients’ jaws grow in the right way with special equipment. These gadgets help the jaw grow in the right way before it is fully grown. When started at the correct time, Braces for Kids can work quite well. Once an adult’s jaw has stopped growing, treatment usually focuses on repositioning the teeth into better placements. For a lot of cases of underbite, traditional braces perform very effectively. Over time, the brackets and wires move your teeth into a better position for a healthier bite.
More and more people are using clear aligners to fix their underbites. These trays are easy to take off and on during treatment, which is nice. You can take them out to eat and brush your teeth, which makes it much easier to keep your mouth clean. But aligners alone can’t fix every underbite. We look at each case on its own to see which method will work best.
In some cases of severe underbites, surgery and orthodontic treatment are needed at the same time. Orthognathic surgery moves the jaw bones into the right place so that they are in the right position. This seems scary, but modern surgery has made it safer and faster to heal. We work closely with highly trained oral surgeons who are experts in these kinds of surgeries. Braces and surgery together can change your bite and the shape of your face in a big way.
The time it takes to fix an underbite depends on your own situation. Most orthodontic treatments last between 18 months and three years. Cases that require surgery may need more time to recuperate and make final changes. We keep a close eye on your development during your treatment. Regular appointments let us make any changes that need to be made and make sure everything goes as planned.
Fixing an underbite is good for your health in a number of ways. Your teeth will fit together correctly, which will make chewing easier and more effective. This better breakdown of food helps your stomach. Once your jaw is in the right place, it will be easier and clearer to speak. A lot of the time, individuals feel better after therapy for chronic jaw pain and headaches. Better face equilibrium can also make people feel more confident and good about themselves.
When thinking about getting braces, it’s normal to be worried about the cost. We think that everyone should be able to get good treatment, no matter how much money they have. Our team works with a number of different insurance companies and lets you choose how to pay. We talk about all the charges up front so you know what to expect. Putting money into your dental health will pay off for years to come.
People in North Tampa have trusted Miller Orthodontics for all of their orthodontic needs. We have years of experience and extensive training that we use on every case we work on. We use contemporary technologies in our office to make accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. We make our patients feel welcome so they may ask questions and voice their concerns.
If you do something now, you can avoid worse difficulties in the future. If you don’t get treatment for an underbite, it might cause your teeth to wear down too much and even fall out over time. The jaw joint may develop issues that are uncomfortable and hard to deal with. Sometimes, problems with sleep are caused by jaw misalignment. Taking care of your underbite today will help keep your mouth healthy in the future.
A quick consultation is the first step on your path to a healthy bite. Please come to our North Tampa office to hear about your alternatives. We can work together to design a treatment plan that works for you and your way of life. You should have a smile that works well and looks well. We can help you get the outcomes you want. Dr. Zack Miller is a trusted orthodontist in North Tampa, dedicated to helping patients achieve confident, healthy smiles through advanced and personalized orthodontic care.