What is overbite and how to treat it?
There are several ways in which the upper and lower arches do not fit together correctly, that is to say, in which the upper and lower teeth do not coincide when biting. When this happens, we speak of a problem of dental malocclusion, with overbite being one of the most common types, but also one of the least perceived in children during their development.
What you should know about overbite.
- What is overbite?
- Can overbite be avoided?
- What problems does it cause?
- How is overbite treated?
1. What is an overbite?
An overbite is a class II dental malocclusion problem in which the upper teeth are further forward than the lower teeth and, depending on the degree of overbite, can partially or completely cover them vertically. In other words, it is a bite problem in which the maxilla is more protruding than the mandible.
As we have mentioned, this type of bite is not always noticeable, especially in the milder degrees, as it does not necessarily have to be accompanied by a misalignment of the teeth, i.e. crooked teeth in the arch. However, as soon as the upper incisors cover one third of the lower incisors, it is considered a deep overbite.
2. Can overbite be avoided?
During the stage of growth and development of the youngest children, it is essential that they learn good dental health habits. In addition to the genetic factor and family history, which are important in the development of this malocclusion problem, one habit in particular can lead to overbite: thumb sucking or prolonged use of a dummy.
It is therefore important for parents to bear in mind that, if a dummy is used, this habit should not continue beyond the age of two. On the other hand, if the problem is the sucking of the thumb or another finger, it is advisable to see a paediatrician and paediatric dentist who can make the appropriate recommendations to eliminate this habit and thus avoid overbite and the problems it could cause.
3. What problems does it cause?
Although, as we have mentioned, there are different degrees of overbite, this dental condition can give rise to other problems:
- Impediment when speaking, as the correct bite of the teeth is key in the articulation of some sounds.
- Deficiencies in chewing, causing excessive wear on some teeth and pain when biting into food.
- Damage to soft tissues such as the gums as a result of the effort made by some teeth.
- Damage to tooth enamel which can lead to an increased likelihood of tooth fractures.
- Alterations in the teeth that can lead to crowding of the incisors and even the canines (the fangs).
- As a result, oral hygiene may be complicated and the likelihood of caries may increase.
- Respiratory problems associated with the origin of the malocclusion. Inability to breathe with the mouth closed.
- Bruxism, caused by excessive tension in the jaw due to incorrect occlusion and wear and tear on the teeth.
- Problems in the temporomandibular joint or TMJ, which can also cause head and neck pain.
- Alteration in the appearance of the face, as the jaw is visually less forward.
4. How is an overbite treated?
The main objective in the treatment of overbite in children and adolescents is to correct the incorrect relationship of the teeth in the upper arch with respect to the lower ones. This will improve the functionality and aesthetics of the teeth. However, this requires orthodontic treatment depending on when the problem was diagnosed and the degree of overbite:
4.1. Interceptive orthodontics.
Interceptive orthodontics is the orthodontic treatment for children that can solve and prevent cases of overbite in children between 6 and 11 years of age when their maxillary bones are still in the development and growth phase, provided that it is diagnosed accurately.
At this stage it is possible to focus on the jaw bones, not the position of the teeth, as it would be necessary to wait until all the permanent teeth have erupted. This is why after this treatment it may be necessary to carry out what is known as corrective orthodontics.
4.2. Corrective orthodontics.
Corrective orthodontics starts from the age of 12, when the maxillary bones have completely formed and the permanent teeth have erupted. With this type of orthodontics it is possible to correct the position of teeth in adolescents and young adults (and also adults).
Corrective orthodontic treatments allow adolescents to reach adulthood with a correct alignment of the teeth that results in the ideal bite of the teeth so that both functionality and aesthetics are optimal. In this case there are several types of treatment that can be carried out:
- Orthodontics with metal brackets or self-ligating brackets, which is the most common type of treatment and which allows the teeth to be gradually moved to achieve the objectives set by the specialist.
- Orthodontics with transparent aligners Invisalign Teen is a more aesthetic treatment with custom-made splints that must be changed to gradually improve the alignment of the teeth.
On the other hand, if you reach adulthood with a severe overbite problem that was not corrected during childhood, orthodontic treatment would be necessary along with what is known as orthognathic surgery to correct the relationship between the upper and lower jaws.
For this reason, to avoid these more complex and costly procedures, it is recommended that children have regular check-ups with their paediatric dentist, who will not only determine whether the health of their teeth and gums is optimal, but will also observe the growth of the jaws and jaw during the development stage to prevent and correct overbite effectively at an early age, thus achieving an ideal bite for adolescents and adults.
