San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
An overbite is more common than you might think. Occurring when the top teeth stick out above the bottom teeth, an overbite affects many children in the United States. There are several varieties of overbite and several causes for this issue. Overbites or severely misaligned teeth can be corrected through orthodontic treatment. Read on to see how the team at Glen Park Dental can use braces to address an overbite.
Get the Facts on Overbites
If your top teeth stick out over the bottom teeth, this is known as a horizontal overbite. A vertical overbite, by contrast, means the upper teeth hang in front of the lower teeth. In severe cases, an overbite may completely hide the bottom front teeth behind the upper front teeth.
There are several potential conditions that can lead to an overbite, but two main ones. An overbite stemming from a jaw alignment issue is known as a skeletal overbite. If you’re experiencing an overbite because of crooked teeth, this is referred to as a dental overbite. Temporomandibular joint disorder and bruxism (the clinical term for teeth grinding) also can lead to the development of an overbite. Other causes stem from childhood, such as tongue thrust, prolonged thumb sucking, pacifiers or bottles, and nail-biting.
Using Braces to Treat an Overbite
Braces can help correct an overbite, no matter whether it’s occurring in a child, a teenager, or even an adult. Actually, orthodontic treatment is on the rise among adults, with 1.5 million choosing to receive braces each year. Braces exert gentle pressure on teeth to realign them. Brackets are placed on teeth and attached to wires that pull teeth into a more optimal alignment. The time it takes to correct an overbite with braces varies. You may be finished with treatment in 12-18 months, or, in cases of a severe or pronounced overbite, it could take up to three years or longer to correct the issue.
Using braces to address an overbite is a two-step process. First, tooth crookedness is resolved. Then, once your teeth have been straightened, the overbite can be corrected.
Having braces requires additional care and attention on your part. Braces present an obstacle to navigate around when cleaning your teeth. You may need a small interdental brush or special floss for braces to prevent food from accumulating between or around the brackets. You also will need to avoid especially chewy, crunchy, or hard foods, as any of these can damage your braces.
Braces in San Francisco
Braces have come a long way from the mouth full of metal you might remember from your adolescence. At Glen Park Dental, we offer metal-free ceramic brackets that match the shade of your natural tooth structure. These state-of-the-art, discreet braces work the same way, exerting gentle pressure to straighten your teeth and correct an overbite if one exists.
To find out more about braces, Invisalign, or any of the other methods of orthodontic treatment that we offer at Glen Park Dental, schedule a consultation by calling (415) 585-1500 or contact us online. We’re proud to serve our patients in the areas of Oakland, San Francisco, and Marin in California.
