OverbiteAn Overview
Most people agree that a perfect smile is one that is not only bright and white, but one that is also aligned correctly. Overbites, also sometimes called ‘buck teeth’, are misalignments that some people choose to embrace and live with. This cosmetic concern can also lead to other dental problems such as damage to other teeth, gums and tongue from accidentally biting it.
Overbites are a form of malocclusion that causes the top jaw to protrude over the bottom arch of teeth. Overbites vary in severity and will be treated accordingly. Minor overbites to more prominent overbites should be treated as early on in development as possible. Early intervention for the treatment of overbites can deter further damage to the teeth and gums and prevent long-term oral health complications.
Causes of Overbites
Overbites can be caused by a variety of factors. They are often hereditary when certain jaw shapes are passed down through generations. Extra teeth or missing teeth can impact the alignment of your front teeth causing an overbite.
Most often we see patients that developed an overbite because of myofunctional habits. Poor myofunctional habits can force the top jaw forward during the early stages of jaw development. These include bottle feeding, thumb sucking and pacifier usage for too long. When these habits continue past the age of 3 or 4 or when permanent teeth are emerging, the pressure that is created from the sucking can cause teeth to come in at an abnormal angle.
Tongue thrusting is also a common cause of buck teeth in children. This occurs when the tongue presses too far forward in the mouth putting pressure on the teeth. This most often causes an open bite but can also lead to an overbite. The tongue presses forward because of severely swollen tonsils or adenoids as well as poor swallowing habits.
Dr. Izadi uses precise and thorough bite analysis to determine the structural cause of the overbite for more accurate treatment. Early intervention can correct these habits in children preventing more severe overbites. Izadi Orthodontics uses two-phased treatment plans to adjust bites in developing jaws. Our state of the art orthodontic office offers innovative digital technology and 3-D imagining for more accurate functional analysis.
