Everything you must know about overbite, underbite, and crossbite

When you have an improper bite, it is known as malocclusion. Malocclusion not only affects your smile but also leads to dental issues in the future if left untreated. There are several types of malocclusions such as overbite, underbite, and crossbite. Let’s take a look in detail about the three types of malocclusion.

Overbite

An overbite is a condition in which your lower teeth are covered by the protruding upper teeth. If you suffer from an overbite, the chin is pushed back by the upper teeth towards the jaw joint. If you have an overbite, you may tend to look considerably older as per your age because of the protruding teeth. People with overbite often experience pain in the TMJ, headache, etc. Overbite can be corrected with the help of Invisalign, braces or orthodontic surgery.

Underbite

An underbite is a condition in which your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth. This happens when your upper jaw has not grown correctly, or your lower jaw has overgrown. It is not a pleasant condition and may lead to pain in your jaw. Some may even experience difficulty in speaking. The treatment for an underbite is similar to an overbite treatment. However, in severe or extreme underbite cases, the person may have to undergo a jaw surgery to align their lower teeth.

Crossbite

Crossbite is a condition usually observed in children and remains the same as they age if it is not corrected. The misalignment could be between both the front as well as the back teeth. Crossbite can lead to several dental problems such as tooth decay, gum diseases, and stress on the gum muscles combined with a fixed jaw, neck, and shoulder pain. Crossbite can also affect the facial appearance of a person. In order to treat crossbites, palatal expanders, removable expanders, braces, dental surgeries, etc. are some of the treatment options.

If you suffer from any of the above-mentioned dental problems, then, you should visit an orthodontist to determine the right treatment for you. Once your misaligned teeth are aligned properly, you will be able to chew your food properly, get relief from jaw or joint pain, enhance your smile and facial appearance, and also prevent other dental issues such as tooth decay. Therefore, do not delay in getting the right treatment for your misaligned teeth and visit your nearest dentist immediately.