Overbite

Normally, the lower front teeth are supposed to be slightly behind the upper front teeth when the back teeth are touching. They are not supposed to meet end-on. An overbite is a situation in which the lower teeth are positioned far behind the upper teeth when biting down fully on the back teeth. This usually occurs when the lower jaw is too small relative to the upper jaw, or rarely, when the upper jaw protrudes relative to the lower jaw. Both of these jaw size imbalances result in an excessive overbite. Patients with overbites usually have a class II jaw relationship and a convex profile.

What causes the jaws to develop into an overbite relationship?

As with other jaw size discrepancies, sometimes there is a strong genetic component at play, and patients can identify this trait in multiple family members. Sometimes, an overbite can be caused by underdevelopment of the lower jaw, which can happen as a result of trauma during childhood. It can also happen as a result of a condition called idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR), which is a gradual shrinking of the lower jaw joint at its hinge that usually happens in young women. Of course, sometimes we do not know the cause of this growth discrepancy. Before jumping into treatment, it is important to first make a diagnosis, with a thorough history, clinical exam, and usually, 3-dimensional imaging.

Does an overbite need to be fixed?

Not always! The decision to fix your overbite is up to you as the patient. Just like with other jaw size discrepancies, the issues it can cause are speech problems, chewing difficulties, and cosmetic concerns. Many patients with a small lower jaw are unhappy with their profile, and seek chin implants and other minor procedures to camouflage the real issue, and generally, are unhappy with the outcome, as it does not address the problem correctly. Not fixing an excessive overbite jaw relationship can, however, lead to jaw-joint pain later in life, but this is not a guarantee. We recommend being evaluated and discussing your unique situation with your doctor, and gathering as much information as you can, and weighing all risks and benefits, before making an informed decision.

How is an overbite fixed?

Sometimes, an overbite is so mild that it can be corrected with braces alone, and kind of camouflage the fact that the lower jaw is smaller than normal. However, this can only be done successfully for mild underbites, and it does not balance the profile by bringing the chin forward. For more major jaw size discrepancies, the only way to really fix the bite and get the teeth to meet properly is with corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery. There is much information out there about this surgery, and some of it is good information, but a lot of it is just wrong. Even many doctors do not know much about this very specialized area. We strongly urge you to meet with a surgeon who performs this surgery regularly, so you can learn about it and understand the procedure, as well as all risks and potential benefits. Visit our page on jaw surgery, or even better, call our office today for a consultation to discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with Dr. Rosenfeld. Bring your list of questions, we are here to answer them all!