Underbites are an undesirable dental feature that can cause a multitude of issues. Most notably, they can result in the patient being self-conscious of their teeth and as a result not smiling as frequently.
What can make matters worse is that underbites may be visible even when you are not smiling, as they can be the cause of skeletal issues with your jaw structure.
Fortunately, there are ways that you can treat underbites. See here for more information, and how we can treat underbites at Marylebone Smile Clinic.
What is an underbite?
An underbite is a colloquial term for either where the top teeth do not overlap the bottom teeth at all, or they are in a reversed position.
Underbites are not just problematic aesthetically, but also practically and functionally too. If you have an underbite, your ability to bite and chew food will be affected. And on top of this, you can be more prone to tooth decay, sleep apnoea, and some issues with your speech.
The common approaches to fix underbites are braces or veneers. In the case of veneers, in order to correct an underbite, often top and bottom teeth need to be treated simultaneously. Have a look at our bite correction gallery for some examples.
Can you fix an underbite?
Underbite correction is possible using a few different treatments. The most common methods are braces and surgery. However, porcelain veneers for underbites can also be an effective treatment depending on the case.
If you attend a consultation with a dentist or cosmetic dentist, they will be able to identify the cause of your underbite and decide on the most appropriate mode of treatment to get you the best results.
Also, it is important to note that the best time for a patient to receive treatment for their underbite is when they are a child or a teenager and their underbite is just starting to develop. It may be possible to prevent an underbite from getting worse at an early stage, therefore avoiding more invasive treatments in the future, as well as any mental anguish over the aesthetics of the patient’s smile as the years go on.
How to fix an underbite
How your underbite is fixed will depend on how your underbite is caused. If the problem is based on a serious issue with your lower jaw structure, then it is likely that you will need surgery to correct this.
Braces are the next best option and are also sometimes used in conjunction with surgery to achieve the best possible results for patients with severe underbites. Orthodontic treatments are capable of changing the position of the teeth dramatically over a long period of time, although it is this long period of time that is off-putting for a great number of patients.
However, if your underbite is minimal and is not the result of an underlying skeletal issue, then you may be able to receive veneers for your underbite. This will be a much quicker fix than if you were to receive braces, and will also provide other aesthetic benefits such as tooth colour and tooth shape.
In the case of veneers, in order to correct an underbite, often the top and bottom teeth need to be treated simultaneously. This is to create an ideal relationship between the upper and lower teeth by changing how they interact. If you only treat one set, then you may run the risk of untreated teeth damaging the veneers.
Underbite correction in the UK
Veneer teeth are highly recommended if you are eligible to receive them. They are reliable, long-lasting, and capable of giving you the perfect smile by hiding a number of aesthetic problems such as worn-down teeth, tooth gaps, and teeth affected by types of fluorosis.
For more information on how we can help you if you have an underbite, then get in touch with us at Marylebone Smile Clinic and we can schedule a quick chat or a consultation.
FAQs
How to fix an underbite without braces?
You may be able to fix an underbite without braces if you receive surgery, veneers, or clear aligners such as Invisalign.
If you are a child and you have spotted an underbite developing at an early stage, then you may be able to use a number of tools to treat your underbite while your jaw bones are more malleable than those of an adult.
Do I have an underbite?
If your lower teeth come out further than your upper teeth and overlap them, then you have an underbite.
This is different to an overbite which is when the upper teeth come out further than the lower teeth and overlap them by an extreme ratio.
Is it bad to have an underbite?
Yes, it is bad to have an underbite because it can lead to a number of issues such as tooth decay, pain, and problems eating, among others.
An underbite is generally the more severe problem when compared to overbite teeth, because people should have some level of an overbite and overbites are easier to treat.
Can I get veneers with an underbite?
Yes, you may be able to receive veneers if your underbite is minor and not a result of an underlying jaw issue that needs to be treated first.