Though not as common as an overbite, about one in every 20 people has the condition. For many individuals with underbites, mild to severe TMJ can result in clicking and pain in the jaw, teeth-grinding at night, and worn-away enamel, a precursor to tooth decay.
Most underbites are genetic, however, and tend to run in families. It's estimated that from five to ten percent of the population has some form of underbite.
While up to 70 percent of the population has an overbite, only 5 to 10 percent of the population have an underbite.
Depending on the degree of the underbite, complications can range from mild to severe and can affect both your physical and mental health. In some cases, underbites cause complications and other jaw issues. Chronic jaw pain, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), is a common side effect of an underbite.
A Little Bit about Underbites
The look somewhat resembles the jutting bottom teeth of a bulldog, which is generally not considered attractive.
Unfortunately, those affected by an underbite cannot move their mouth into a traditional smile, often resulting in further self-scrutiny. Chewing - Even an essential activity, like chewing, can become difficult when teeth are misaligned.
The short answer is: as early as possible. As soon as you notice an underbite developing in your child, consult your dentist. This early intervention may prevent the need for orthodontics or surgery. Otherwise, traditional underbite treatment is most effective between ages 5-10.
Yes, an underbite can get worse with age and needs urgent attention.
Depending on the severity of your underbite, the misalignment can lead to unpleasant symptoms like jaw pain and difficulty eating and speaking. It can increase your risk of dental problems and conditions like TMJ disorders. Depending on its severity, an underbite may make you self-conscious about your appearance.
Speech problems: A key symptom of an underbite is difficulty speaking. With the teeth in the wrong position, it can be harder to shape the mouth correctly to make certain words and the tongue may also move poorly.
An underbite is a complicated orthodontic issue that is relatively rare. The prevalence of this type of bite varies by ethnicity, with people of Southeast Asian descent having the highest rate at over 15%. It is a difficult orthodontic problem to treat, and it can cause many complications over the patient's lifetime.
It makes your teeth look unaligned and unappealing, as the lower teeth cover the upper ones partially or completely. An underbite can undermine your self-confidence because it is not appealing aesthetically and may make you uncomfortable in social situations.
Appearance: Because underbites are so much less common than overbites, people who have them tend to be noticed more and become self-conscious as a result. A protruding chin adds to this and can lead to people with underbites being ridiculed as children.
In general, underbites can have more serious consequences, but neither condition should be ignored. Malocclusions vary in severity and can make it difficult for you to do critical things like chew and eat.
Genetics can play a major role in whether you develop an underbite. If one of your parents or grandparents had an underbite, there is a much larger chance that you will, too. In addition, certain ethnic groups are more likely to develop underbites, including those of Asian descent.
The upper and lower front teeth tend to erupt in the mouth around the age of 7. How they decide to come in can determine whether your child will develop an underbite. I have seen many 7-9 year olds come into my office and the parents would tell me, “my child did not have this underbite before and now they do”.
Common Examples. Underbite – With an underbite, the bottom teeth sit in front of the top teeth. This causes the lower jaw to stick out. In this case, your face before and after braces can look noticeably different.
Effective Maxillary Protraction for Class III Patients
Class III malocclusion is a less frequently observed clinical problem than Class II or Class I malocclusion, occurring in less than 5% of the U.S. population. The prevalence is greater in Asian populations.
Unfortunately, children do not outgrow underbites. As underbites are usually inherited, it's unlikely that when a child's adult teeth come through, the underbite will disappear. The appearance of an underbite may actually worsen during puberty, particularly during the growth spurt.
Often, the lower jaw is positioned too far forward in people with an underbite. But genetics is the most common underlying cause of this condition. People can inherit an underbite, and the size and positioning of their teeth are also determined by genetics.
Adults can be successfully treated for underbite, but treatment often involves surgery. The treatment you'll need to correct your underbite depends on how severe it is. Braces. In mild cases of underbite, braces can help straighten your teeth and realign your jaw.
Invisalign or Braces for an Underbite
Fixing the discrepancy between the upper and lower jaw, and ensuring the upper and lower teeth meet correctly will create balance in the lower half of your face. It will also make your facial features look more proportionate and your chin less sharp.
The duration of treatment is usually 12-15 months.
Underbite. An underbite, also known as class 3 malocclusion, is when the lower teeth and jaw are positioned in front of the upper teeth. The lower jaw will be more prominent than the upper jaw. If a significant underbite isn't addressed when a patient is still young, jaw surgery could be needed.
The degree of the underbite varies from moderate to severe. A slight underbite occurs when the lower jaw overlaps the upper jaw, whereas a severe underbite occurs when the teeth do not contact due to the gap being so large.