Overbite correction in Austin, TX

There are many medical conditions that can respond to orthodontic care, including overcrowding, overbite, crossbite and others. One of the most common reasons patients come to Becher & Gil Orthodontics is because they are worried about an overbite, a condition where the top teeth overlap or stick out over the bottom teeth excessively. Fortunately, today’s treatment options have several solutions for this common problem, whether you have an incisor overbite or another, more complex problem.

What can cause an overbite?

The most common cause of an overbite is genetics. This factor causes the jaw and teeth to be aligned in a certain way, which can create an overbite in some situations. Genetic factors, including not enough space in the mouth, can also lead to overcrowding, which can eventually cause an overbite.

Other common reasons for an overbite happen during early childhood. If a child has any habits which push the upper teeth forward, this can cause an overbite if the behavior also affects the adult teeth. Common childhood behaviors that can put children at risk of overbites include:

Thumb sucking.
Late use or over-use of a pacifier.
Excessive, late use of a bottle or sippy cup.
A habit of pushing the tongue against the back of the top teeth.

Overbite symptoms

Overbites are easy to diagnose. If you bring your top and bottom teeth together and the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth or stick out over them by at least 30%, that is an overbite. There are two main types of overbites, both of which can be treated:

Horizontal overbite: With this type of overbite, the top teeth stick outward and overlap the bottom teeth.
Vertical overbite: With this type of overbite, the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth and don’t stick out. The top teeth grow straight down.

Why fix an overbite?

Overbites can cause problems for some individuals, including:

Loss of confidence.
Pain.
Difficulty chewing or eating.
Difficulty maintaining oral hygiene, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and additional complications.
Speech difficulties.
Headaches.
Jaw locks.

With time, untreated overbites can also get worse.

Customized treatments for overbite

Overbite correction is possible, though it is important to customize treatment in every case since every overbite and patient is different. Treatments for overbite can include:

Braces: Braces can first straighten the teeth. Then, an orthodontist may suggest using coils, bands and springs to gently align the teeth and jaw over time to correct an overbite.
Clear aligners: Clear aligners are clear plastic trays worn for most of the day to gradually straighten and realign the teeth. They can address a mild to moderate overbite and are less visible than braces.
Surgery: For severe overbite and situations where the overbite is due to the jaw, orthodontic surgery may be suggested, either alone or with braces before or after the surgery.

Why choose Becher & Gil Orthodontics?

If you’re looking for overbite correction, Austin’s Becher & Gil Orthodontics can help. Our team includes award-winning, experienced orthodontists who have helped patients of all ages reach their goal of a healthy smile.

When you become a patient, we offer an initial free consultation of about an hour to review your medical history, discuss your goals and create a customized treatment plan just for you. If you’re worried about an overbite or any orthodontic issue, request an appointment at Becher & Gil Orthodontics.

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