Suffering from an underbite can be uncomfortable at best and downright painful at worst. Fortunately, you have a number of treatment venues. If you have an underbite, here is some more information on your options.
Underbite Problems
An underbite can cause issues that range in severity from mild to severe, depending on how pronounced the underbite itself is. Some of the problems include difficulty eating—as it is challenging to chew properly when your teeth don’t line up—and speech impediments.
Other problems can be more severe, such as accelerated and uneven wearing of the teeth. This, in turn, can lead to tooth decay and even the loss of teeth.
Treatment Options
If you have an underbite, there are several options to treat the condition. The option that you will use will vary depending on the severity of the condition and your personal preference.
If you have a child with an underbite, you should work hard to begin treatment as early as possible. This is because if you catch the condition early enough, you can frequently treat it successfully using dental corrective appliances. On the other hand, if you wait too long, surgery can sometimes be necessary.
One option to consider is the upper jaw expander. This is a device that fits across the roof of your mouth. Each night you will use a special device to expand the upper jaw expander in small increments. Over the course of about a year or so, this will have the effect of widening your upper jaw to the point that your underbite is corrected.
Note that it is common to follow the upper jaw expander with a retainer. For more severe underbites, there are other corrective appliances available. In extreme cases, you may need to have surgery.
If you suffer from an underbite, we can help. Â Contact our office for more information.
