There is nothing worse than suffering from an overbite that affects speech ability, messes with your looks, gives you agonizing jaw pain, and even causes difficulty in chewing your favorite food. Excessive overbite occurs when your upper teeth overlap too far over the lower teeth. But does comprehensive general dentistry have any treatment for this? Well, this blog gives you a detailed idea about what precisely an overbite is, the causes, and various treatment options.
What Causes an Overbite?
An overbite, also commonly known as "buck teeth," occurs when the upper front teeth slightly overlap the lower teeth. However, a severe version of an overbite, malocclusion, or misalignment, appears when the upper teeth entirely cover the lower ones.
While there are numerous causes of an overbite, some of the common ones include both natural factors and habits developed in childhood:
Thumb-sucking
Spaced-out teeth or overcrowded teeth
Excessive bottle or pacifier usage
A habit of biting nails
Teeth grinding or bruxism
A mouth trauma
What Are the Treatment Options?
When you visit the best dental clinic in Bridgeport TX, for an overbite, you will be suggested one of the following treatments based on the condition and severity of the overbite.
1. Tooth Extraction
Extracting teeth that have erupted in an odd place can address the overbite problem in crowded teeth. This procedure also provides other teeth the much-needed space to grow straight. (This primarily applies to children with baby teeth. Young adults may require the extraction of permanent teeth.)
2. Braces
Braces are one of the most commonly recommended treatments for overbites in general dentistry in Bridgeport TX. They apply controlled and consistent pressure to your teeth to move them to the desired place to stop the teeth grinding.
3. Jaw Surgery
If you are suffering from a severe case of overbite where your upper teeth overlap your lower ones by more than 2-3 millimeters, experienced orthodontists, may suggest you consider jaw surgery. The dentist may recommend this with a focus on addressing functional issues such as chewing difficulties, headaches, and excruciating jaw pain.
The Bottom Line!
The decision to opt for these alternative treatments above should be well informed. Therefore, consult a team of professional dentists at Wise Dental, as they are one of the most reliable in Bridgeport regarding any dental concern. Additionally, remember that these treatment options are tailored to address your teeth misalignment.