When it comes to teeth, we want our whites to be pearly, clean, and perfectly aligned. Unfortunately, not everybody has incisors to match the bottom teeth. Having an overbite can seriously affect the health of your teeth and jaw. The human jaw provides support. A working jaw should help the mouth chew and efficiently manipulate food, and an overbite can hinder this process. As a result, overbite correction is necessary to maintain a healthy mouth.
To learn more about the broad range of dental and orthodontic services available at Splendid Dental Bellaire, reach out to our expert team online or call us at 713-244-7797.
What Are Some Signs That You Might Need Overbite Correction?
If the jaw or teeth become misaligned, speech problems, chewing discomfort, or related health issues could result. Here is what you need to know about the condition and how to treat it.
Overbite occurs when the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth. This is a form of malocclusion. Overbite is fairly common, with at least eight percent of the population developing severe overbite. While it is prevalent, most people don’t need to seek treatment unless the misalignment reaches past five millimeters. The health issues associated with overbite don’t usually set in unless the overbite gap is especially large.
Causes of an overbite include hereditary factors, poor dental habits like teeth grinding, and medical conditions like temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). Overbites can form from childhood habits, like thumb sucking, bottle feeding, or nail-biting. If you are a parent, try to discourage these habits from your children in order to prevent an overbite from developing.
Why Your Splendid Dental Bellaire Dentist May Recommend Overbite Correction
If left untreated, a large overbite can result in long-term health complications like the following:
- Jaw pain
- Tooth decay
- Cavity formation
- Frequent headaches
- Sleep apnea
- Eating discomfort
- Difficulty speaking
Any of these issues could lower your quality of life or lead to low self-esteem. In order to have a normal jaw and a healthy set of teeth, Splendid Dental Bellaire dental experts recommend that those with malocclusion seek professional dental help. Orthodontics will be able to correct a bad overbite in no time.
What Overbite Correction Entails
If you’re considering orthodontics, start with a trip to the Splendid Dental Bellaire dentist for an examination. Typically, he or she will refer you to an orthodontist for overbite correction. This is a dentist who specializes in correcting dental irregularities such as crooked teeth or bad bites. The orthodontist will examine the overbite, possibly using X-rays or other dental imaging processes. Dental imaging will help the doctor evaluate the overbite, its possible origins, and its severity. Then, the orthodontist will work with you to develop a treatment plan to correct the misalignment.
Treatment for overbite will depend on the patient’s age and circumstances. For example, the orthodontist is more likely to recommend braces for a child rather than an adult. Regular dental check-ups can detect and treat overbite early on. The dentist might even be able to prevent some types of overbite. Treatment options for overbite include braces, retainers, growth modification devices, tooth removal, and jaw surgery.
Reach Out to Splendid Dental Bellaire Today
Are you looking for a practice that provides top-quality dentistry? At Splendid Dental Bellaire, we provide you with a wide range of dental services, including:
- Orthodontics
- Endodontics
- Periodontics
- General dentistry
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Pediatric dentistry
If you would like to receive overbite treatment, feel free to contact Splendid Dental Bellaire at 713-244-7797. Our dental professionals can provide excellent care for this and any other dental needs you may have.