A confident smile can positively impact your well-being as a kid or an adult. It’s a contagious phenomenon that can make you more attractive to others and help establish relationships. Smiling can also help boost your self-confidence.
Sadly, orthodontic conditions like underbites can ruin your best smile and make you feel more self-conscious. Fortunately, thanks to technological advancements in dentistry, you can treat underbites by finding the best dental office near you. You should also educate yourself about this condition to make informed decisions for your treatment plan.
If you want to smile better and get the best results from your dental office visit, this article will explain underbites, the complications of this condition, and how your dentist can correct it.
What Is an Underbite?
An underbite is an oral condition where the lower jaw sticks out farther than the upper jaw. It can cause pain and discomfort and make the patient feel self-conscious. Experts estimate that five to ten percent of the population has an underbite, varying from minor to severe.
What Causes an Underbite?
People usually have underbites because other family members have them. Certain childhood behaviors like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, and excessive use of pacifiers and bottles can also contribute to underbite development. A 2012 study showed that these behaviors, especially after age three, may be linked to the formation of an underbite.
How Can an Underbite Affect Your Physical Health?
An underbite can cause chronic jaw pain, difficulty chewing and eating, headaches, tooth decay, and mouth breathing. Conditions like speech impediments, halitosis, and sleep apnea are also some outcomes of an underbite.
Moreover, untreated underbites can cause further complications like worsening asthma, sleep apnea, and halitosis.
How Can an Underbite Affect Your Mental Health?
An underbite can noticeably impact your face and mouth’s appearance, making a person insecure and distressed and affecting self-confidence and mental well-being. You can boost your self-esteem and prevent further complications by visiting the best dental office near you. That way, you can discuss the best treatment plan for your needs with your dentist.
How Can a Dentist or Orthodontist Correct Underbites in Children?
Depending on a child’s age and the underlying cause, dentists can correct this condition using various treatments. Some of the common treatments include wearing upper jaw expanders, chin caps, reverse face masks, braces, and Invisalign.
Experts recommend children have an orthodontic screening at age seven or earlier to correct orthodontic conditions early while the teeth and jaw are still malleable and growing.
How Can a Dentist or Orthodontist Correct Underbites in Adults?
Treatment plans are still available if you’re an adult with an underbite. Tooth extractions, braces, or Invisalign can help correct the underbite for mild or moderate cases. Sometimes, your dentist may also recommend combining surgery and Invisalign for the best results.
On the other hand, surgery usually works best for severe cases because the jaw has already stopped growing. Jaw surgery is a standard low-risk procedure with six to twelve weeks of healing.
How Can Invisalign Help Correct Your Underbite?
Invisalign is a discreet orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners to straighten teeth without wires. Your dentist can use it to correct an underbite by moving the bottom teeth back into position, and they may require combining it with other treatments for more extreme cases.
How Does the Invisalign Process Work?
Invisalign is a straightforward treatment process that begins with a dental consultation to determine the best treatment plan. Your healthcare provider will then take impressions of your mouth and fit the aligners, allowing you to switch them out at home.
Restoring Your Best Smile
Nobody deserves to have an underbite because it can negatively affect your physical health and self-esteem. You can smile better by visiting the best dental office near you to discuss the ideal treatment plans with your dentist.
If you’re looking for the best dental office near Sudbury, MA, visit Sudbury Dental Arts! We offer Invisalign treatment plans to fix your underbite and help you smile more confidently. Schedule your appointment now!
