What Is An Overbite?
A bite issue is when the top and bottom teeth of the mouth do not close well. An overbite is when the top front teeth protrude over the bottom front teeth. There are varying degrees of overbites, ranging from those that are barely noticeable to severe cases which can lead to problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and jaw problems.
Overbite scan be corrected using braces or other corrective devices and in severe cases can be corrected surgically.
Generally speaking, though, the best way to find out exactly what your orthodontic needs are is to talk with your local orthodontic office. Your orthodontic office will be able to let you know whether you’re looking at oral surgery or something as simple and noninvasive as Invisalign. There are a wide variety of choices when it comes to correcting overbites, and it is impossible to know without a medical diagnosis which would be most effective for you.
Before continuing, let’s hear what some of the experts in orthodontic medicine, have to say.
Research suggests that children with overbites greater than 6mm have a low quality of life (Fabian S et al.,2018).
Some areas such as oral health function,emotional well-being, and social well-being can be greatly affected by overbites (Fabian S et al.,2018).
While a dental overbite is problematic, it appears that research shows that the overbite itself is not always the issue (Fabian S et al.,2018).
Some of the problems that result from overbites include:
- Difficulty fully opening or closing the mouth.
- Discomfort while eating.
- Jaw pain.
- Speech challenges.
What Causes an Overbite?
Generally speaking, there are two major causes of overbite. One is a skeletal overbite where, simply put, your jaw is misshapen either through genetics or injury. This is far more rare than the next common cause of overbite, and that is simply bad habits.
Overbites can be caused by something as simple as excessive thumbsucking in youth. This is an important consideration, as it means that since it was caused by bad habits, treatments like Invisalign or braces will be far more effective and you need not resort to orthodontic surgery as you will have to if the case is genetic like in a skeletal overbite.
It also makes it even more important for you to talk with your orthodontic office if you have a little one about important dental habits that should be developed young. Questions include: When should you encourage your child to stop sucking their pacifier or sucking on their thumb? Are there ways of discouraging that behavior? Is there a way to find out if their behavior is excessive, or will lead to an overbite later in life? By getting these answers now, you can potentially save yourself a huge amount of trouble and medical expense later.
How to fix an Overbite?
There are two primary methods when it comes to fixing over bites. One, and by far the least popular, is surgery. However, if this is what is recommended by your orthodontic office, then you can rest assured that at least now you have an answer to the most efficient way of solving your orthodontic problem.
The good news though is that surgery is far less common than standard treatments like braces or Invisalign, which are far more common. Of course the only way to know for sure what treatment you need is to reach out to your orthodontic office. Many individuals who might have been able to utilize simpler, less invasive treatments like Invisalign or braces end up needing orthodontic surgery because of the classic medical mistake – delay.
The fact of the matter is that very few orthodontic issues get better the longer you wait. The surest way to both find out what you need and to ensure its rapid treatment and cheapness is to go early and meet with your dentist and orthodontist often. If an issue is diagnosed soon enough, the treatment may be very minimal and cost very little. Issues that go undiagnosed and undealt with for years or decades, though, are far more likely to require extensive treatments and expensive medical facilities.
Speak to your orthodontist about the various methods of fixing your overbite without surgery including:
- Fixing Overbites With Braces & Rubber Bands
- Fixing Overbites With Braces and a Herbst Appliance
- Fixing Overbites With Braces and Forsus Springs
- Fixing Overbites With Braces and Extractions
Your orthodontist will be the best person to provide you with the most effective solution based on your specific requirements and needs for your overbite teeth.
How Much Do Braces Cost To Fix an Overbite?
How much do braces for overbite cost? That is a great question. Correcting an overbite with braces and Invisalign are effective ways to correct your orthodontic issue. They generally cost about the same, although there are some benefits associated with one or the other.
You can learn about the pros and cons by speaking to your orthodontist and deciding which one works best for you based on what your needs are to fix overbite with braces.
If you were to correct your overbite with braces, the average plan can range from about $3,000-$8,000 depending on the type of braces that you’re getting. Invisalign or invisible braces as some call them can range between $4,000 to almost $8,000.
Although, depending on your insurance coverage and plan, these prices may vary slightly. But, when you see the photos of braces before and after overbite and what a difference they make, you will be glad you made the investment.
How Long Does it Take to Fix an Overbite with Braces?
You might be wondering if braces fix overbite?This is a great question, and one that can be specifically answered for you by your orthodontist. Because everybody is different, and everyone’s situation is unique, there is no hard and fast rule for how long your treatment with braces to correct your overbite will last.
In general, your treatment can last anywhere between six months to two years. As one would expect, the more severe the bite issue is, the more time it would likely require, since there are likely multiple factors in place and other potential dental issues that might have resulted as a result of the overbite.
However, one thing that you can do to speed up your treatments is to follow the orthodontist’s recommendation to the letter. If your orthodontist prescribes that you wear a retainer after your braces, for example, it is necessary that you do that to prevent reversal of your treatment, or your teeth shifting out of place.
Your orthodontist will also give you guidelines and recommendations on dental hygiene while you have your overbite braces on and it’s important that you follow these recommendations as well. If you do not follow them as best as you can, you will likely find that your treatment will be prolonged more than is necessary, which can be very frustrating and can cost you more money.
If you have an overbite and you want to get a professional opinion, call us today or schedule an appointment here and get your questions answered at a free initial consultation.
