An underbite occurs when the lower jaw protrudes past the upper jaw, resulting in an awkward alignment of the top and bottom teeth. Braces are one of many treatment options available to correct an underbite, but they aren’t usually effective on their own. When braces aren’t enough to correct an underbite, your orthodontist may recommend other treatments like surgery or appliances that will help bring your teeth back into alignment. Read on to learn more about how braces work to fix an underbite and why other options are often necessary as well.
The underbite problem
While many people don’t realize it, having an underbite is a very common problem. The American Association of Orthodontists estimates that nearly 15 percent of children have what’s known as class II division 1 malocclusion, also known as overjet or overbite problems. In some cases, fixing your bite can be achieved by using only braces. However, in other cases where more serious issues are involved (such as crowding or shifting), orthodontic surgery may be required to achieve proper alignment and balance. Your orthodontist will assess your case and help you understand what you can do to correct your bite issue if you have one.
Why treatment is so difficult
Unlike other bite problems, underbites cannot be corrected by a retainer or appliance alone. An underbite is essentially caused by two things—mandibular prognathism (your lower jaw sticks out further than it should) and/or maxillary retrusion (your upper jaw does not protrude enough). Retainers can help achieve better positioning of your teeth for chewing and speaking, but you might need orthognathic surgery to achieve a better jaw alignment. This means undergoing orthognathic surgery to reposition your jaw bones and realign your teeth into proper occlusion.
What can be done with braces
When you’re thinking about using braces to help fix your underbite, it’s important to understand what can be done and how long it might take. If you need any other type of orthodontic treatment, such as a retainer or Invisalign®, those issues will most likely come into play as well. However, just because something isn’t guaranteed doesn’t mean there is no hope for improvement. Some types of underbites are easier to correct than others and you may be able to improve your condition just by wearing a retainer or doing regular brushing and flossing after treatment.
Treatment takes time
One thing to keep in mind is that it takes time for a bite to change. It might take as long as two years for all of your teeth to stop shifting and realign in their new positions. Even after treatment, you might still have some crowding or crookedness, but if you do it correctly, underbite braces can give you a much healthier bite and finally correct your jawline. They aren’t just cosmetic, they’re functional too!
Treatment costs money
The total cost of orthodontic treatment varies, but it’s not cheap. And what’s worse, you could end up spending even more money if your bite still isn’t straight once your braces come off. For example, adults who suffer from severe underbites often have to undergo corrective jaw surgery (called orthognathic surgery) after their braces come off. While there are a number of factors that contribute to how much treatment will cost in general—including things like insurance coverage—expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 for braces alone and at least $15,000 for a full orthodontic treatment.
Conclusion
You might be surprised to learn that your underbite can be corrected using braces! Many people assume that only severe underbites require orthodontic treatment; however, even mild cases of underbite can interfere with proper breathing, talking and overall health. If you’re suffering from a mild case of underbite, ask your dentist about orthodontic treatment. It just might help solve your smile problems and get you out of pain—no surgery required! And if you’re still on the fence about getting braces for yourself or a loved one, remember: Nobody ever regretted getting braces. Well, except for maybe all those ladies who had their lips locked together during prom…but that’s a story for another day.