Braces for an Overbite

Using Braces for the Best Possible Smile

According to the definition given by the Mayo Clinic, a dental overbite is a condition that happens when a patient’s top teeth overlaps his or her bottom teeth vertically. This is a very common issue in both adults and children and can be easily remedied with the help of dental braces. Braces have the ability to even out a patient’s smile, and, in children, help prevent secondary issues from occurring should the overbite not be taken care of early on in life. Here is what you should know about overbites and braces.

What Causes an Overbite?

There are several factors that can be attributed to an overbite. Some of these factors include differences in the eruption of the patient’s teeth or the development of the bone within the mouth. For children, an overbite can be caused by thumb-sucking or prolonged use of a pacifier. Regardless of the reason for the patient’s overbite, braces used at the right time can help promote good oral health.

How Do Braces Work for an Overbite?

Much like braces used for other oral issues, brackets and wire are attached to patients’ teeth and help to manipulate and move the teeth over time. For an overbite, the braces move the patient’s front, top teeth and help them more naturally match up with the patient’s bottom teeth. Most patients who have an abnormal bite are identified by the age of six, and most orthodontists recommend these patients engage in the appropriate dental treatment between the ages of eight and fourteen.

Once patients have had their braces, it is likely they need to wear and have them maintained for a period of one to three years, but treating an overbite while patients are young has been shown to provide the most positive results. Should patients’ overbites be left untreated outside the recommended time frame, it is possible for patients to develop other oral issues later on in life, which may cause them to have to wear metal braces during their adult years in order to address the problems they have.

What Types of Braces Can Be Used for an Overbite?

While metal braces and rubber band devices are the most traditional braces to use when it comes to correcting an overbite, patients are not limited to these options as they have been in the past. Today, there are types of tooth-colored or clear braces and some that can be removed when eating. The best way to choose the right braces for an overbite is to consult with your dental professional.

If you have questions or are worried about an overbite, you can always consult with your dentist and even sign up for our New Hampshire Individual Discount Dental Plan to save as much as 20 percent on all your dental bills. For more information, please click here.

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