Underbite— in which the lower jaw extends beyond the upper jaw — is often considered only a cosmetic issue, but its impacts go beyond just aesthetics. It's one of the most common dental problems around the world. According to research, globally, the prevalence of Class III malocclusion, usually underbite, varies significantly, ranging from 0.8% to 72.1%. In severe cases, it may even alter the side profile of the face, a condition sometimes called a side-profile underbite, where the chin appears overly pronounced.
Symptoms of Underbite
Some common indicators of an underbite include:
- The lower jaw protruded outside
- You face trouble in opening or closing your mouth all the way.
- You face difficulty in biting and chewing
- Irritation and uncomfortable sensation in the lower jaw
- Speech impediments
- Sometimes difficulty in breathing
- Jaw pain
What Causes an Underbite?
This condition can develop due to various factors. Here is a deeper look into the causes of an underbite.
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Genetics
Genes are the major factor causing bite issues, particularly underbite. The structure of the jaw and teeth is highly inherited. If you have a family history of jaw or teeth misalignment, there is a great chance that you also inherit them.
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Childhood Habits
In early childhood, habits like thumb-sucking, prolonged use of pacifiers, or tongue thrusting can interfere with the development of teeth and jaw. These repetitive habits can exert pressure and push forward the lower jaw, leading to misalignment over time.
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Jaw Injuries or Tumors
Other causes of underbites include a fall, an injury, or an accident. Sometimes, trauma to the jaw or certain medical conditions like tumors in the jaw or mouth can disrupt their natural alignment. A significant injury can cause the lower jaw to protrude forward, leading to an underbite.
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Abnormal Tooth Eruption
Teeth usually grow into a specific alignment and position. But sometimes they grow in incorrect positions due to the early loss of baby teeth. If the lower teeth grow too far forward or the upper teeth are too far back, it can result in an underbite.
Why is it Necessary to Treat Underbites?
Correcting an underbite is an investment not only in the appearance but your overall health and well-being, resulting in improving the quality of life. Read further to know why is it important to treat underbites.
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Psychological Concerns
The visibility of underbites creates negative impacts on self-assurance and confidence. It interferes with the normal mental health of a person due to which, the individual faces psychological issues like lack of self-belief, social isolation, and depression. Fixing underbites can resolve psychological issues also, boosting the confidence and self-assurance in a person.
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Prevent Oral Health Issues
With underbites, it becomes very difficult to maintain oral hygiene. As a result, the risk of cavities and gum diseases increases. Moreover, misaligned bites can cause uneven wear on your enamel, increasing the risk of tooth damage over time. Addressing this issue helps you prevent these health and hygienic issues.
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Improved Facial Symmetry
Underbites interfere with overall facial symmetry and facial alignment. It can impact not only the symmetry of teeth and jaw but also the alignment of the cheekbone, impacting overall facial structure. Fixing them can improve facial symmetry, leading to a more balanced structure.
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Improved Functionality
Underbite also intervenes with the proper functionality of the mouth. It creates difficulty in chewing, biting, and even speech. With difficulty in chewing and biting, pressure is not distributed evenly and is exerted only on certain points causing jaw strain, TMJ, and even headaches. It can also meddle with normal speech functioning, causing lisping and other speech impediments. Underbite correction can resolve all these problems, directing you to a more improved lifestyle.
Treatment Options for Underbites
Fortunately, with advanced orthodontic treatments, there are many ways to fix underbites, varying from children to adults.
For Children
Given below are some ways to correct underbites in children:
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Orthodontic Appliances
A child with palatal expanders in his mouth Specialized devices like palatal expanders and reverse-pull face masks are designed to gradually reshape and align the jaw during the growing ages.
- A palatal expander is a device that widens the upper jaw to make room for teeth and encourage better alignment.
- A reverse-pull face mask gradually pulls the upper jaw to balance its position with the lower jaw.
A reverse pull face mask is used in combination with a palatal expander to gradually correct the underbite. While effective, this orthodontic treatment comes with some demerits. They require regular adjustments from a good orthodontist and they are very uncomfortable and costly.
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Early intervention to guide jaw growth
The earlier the treatment begins, the more successful outcomes you can get. Starting the treatment during growing age maximizes the effect of treatment because, in children, bones are more malleable, allowing orthodontists to guide jaw growth effectively and more easily.
For Adults
Although the jaw stops developing when you reach a certain age, it is still possible to correct underbite. Modern orthodontic treatments and surgical options provide incredible outcomes.
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Traditional Braces
A teeth model with traditional metal braces Traditional braces are used to treat mild to severe cases of underbite. These metal or ceramic-made wires exert pressure on teeth, shifting them to their ideal position. But with pros come the cons also. They are highly visible, cause discomfort, and create difficulty in eating and oral hygiene maintenance.
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Clear Aligners
image of clear aligners kept in its case Clear aligners like those provided by ALIGNERCO, are customized dental trays, made exactly of your teeth’s shape and size so that they can fit accordingly. These are cost-effective alternatives to braces and are way more comfortable than traditional braces. The good part is, they are nearly invisible so that you can wear them with confidence. Moreover, they are removable, allowing you to enjoy your meal and maintain oral hygiene. Plus they require less time for the treatment as compared to braces.
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Orthognathic Surgery for Severe Cases
In some cases, with severe issues of underbite, surgery becomes necessary. This surgical procedure repositions the jaw bones to create proper alignment, ensuring a balanced bite and an aesthetically pleasing facial profile.
Why Choose ALIGNERCO to Correct Underbite?
When it comes to affordability with premium quality, ALIGNERCO rules the market. With its innovative treatment methods, it has given new dimensions to the orthodontic world. ALIGNERCO Clear Aligners are the best aligners out there.
Here is why:
- Convenience and Comfort: You can treat your bite issues in the comfort of your home. From start to finish your entire treatment is delivered straight to your door step.
- Affordability and Quality: ALIGNERCO believes in a budget-friendly approach with no compromise on the quality of the products. Customer satisfaction and ease are our priorities. So, we offer high-quality BPA-free plastic clear aligners at highly affordable prices and payment plans.
- 3D Smile Projection: Before starting the treatment, we make sure you are fully satisfied with the smile you will get. For that, our experts make a 3D smile projection to show how your smile will look after the alignment.
- Customer Support Service: With our 24/7 available customer support service, we ensure none of your queries remain unanswered.
Success Stories
Thanks to advancements like 3D imaging, offered by ALIGNERCO, treatment planning has become more precise than ever. Have a look at our success stories.
This is Rose Kresline, a 30-year-old female, she had an underbite and her lower teeth were also crowded. After treating her bite issue with ALIGNERCO clear aligners, look at what she has to say about us:
“I couldn’t be happier with my experience using AlignerCo! From start to finish, the process was seamless, and the results have truly exceeded my expectations.
The aligners were comfortable, easy to use, and fit perfectly into my daily routine. The team was incredibly supportive, always answering my questions and providing guidance along the way. I also appreciated the regular check-ins to monitor my progress.
Now, my teeth are straight, my smile is brighter, and my confidence has skyrocketed. I’m thrilled with the transformation and can’t believe how simple the journey was. If you’re considering aligners, I wholeheartedly recommend AlignerCo. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!”
Final Thought
Addressing an underbite is an investment in yourself, improving not only your appearance but also your oral health, comfort, and mental well-being. Don’t let an underbite hold you back—take the first step toward a confident, balanced smile today! Try ALIGNERCO and get the smile you have always wanted.
FAQs
1. What can cause an underbite?
Underbite is caused by multiple factors including family history, childhood habits, injury or tumor, or abnormal tooth eruption.
2. Can an underbite affect speech?
Yes, an underbite can affect the normal functionality of the mouth including speech, causing speech abnormality like lisping.
3. How do I fix my underbite?
An underbite is fixed by multiple orthodontic treatments, varying according to age. It can be fixed by Palatal expanders, reverse-pull face masks in children and braces, aligners, and some invasive methods in adults.
4. How can underbites be prevented?
You can’t prevent underbites related to genetics. However, parents and caregivers can limit certain behaviors that may cause a child to develop an underbite. Starting the treatment during a growing age can give positive outcomes.
WebMD Editorial Contributor. (2023, April 28). What to know about Underbite. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/what-to-know-about-underbite
Underbite. (2024, June 25). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24985-underbite
Cirino, E. (2022, November 9). Everything you need to know about treating an underbite. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/underbite#causes
