What is underbite?

The dentists at Shenzhen A.K.J Stomatological Hospital indicated that underbite is a disease of mandibular developmental disorder and is often caused by genetics, bad oral habits, and teething problems. It is a kind of deranged dental occlusion and mainly manifests as the lower teeth and jaw protrude in front of the upper teeth.

According to the survey, heredity plays a key role in the formation of an underbite. Did you or one of your parents have an underbite? If so, the chances are greater that your child might develop one as well.

Apart from genetics, other common causes of underbites in children include thumb sucking, constant thrusting of the tongue against the teeth and extended use of a pacifier or bottle. Because underbites can inhibit chewing and cause strain in the teeth and jaw muscles, treating them as soon as possible is recommended.

What’s the harm of underbite?

The dentist points out that underbite will not only lead to abnormal jaw relations, maxillary development and craniofacial relation, but also affect facial soft tissue and interfere with stomatognathic function.

Ⅰ. Interfere with oral function.

The chewing function of the underbite patients often decreases due to the aclusion function of the upper and lower anterior teeth, which will aggravate gastrointestinal burden and tend to cause digestive diseases. The more severe underbite will also affect the pronunciation because of malposition of the anterior teeth and the limitation of tongue movement. It will lead to abnormal pronunciation of fricative and affricate.

Ⅱ. Affect maxillofacial aesthetics. 

Osseous underbite patients will suffer from mid facial depression due to the problem of mandible protrusion and maxillary retropulsion and eventually lead to “crescent face” and interfere with aesthetics.

Ⅲ. Affect physical and psychological health.

There are some underbite patients reflected that they are often laughed at by their classmates because of their underbite. The patients are often in a state of self-abasement and lack of confidence and have developed an ineloquent personality, which will interfere with personal development.

How Can You Fix an Underbite?

Fixing an underbite usually involves employing the services of an orthodontist. After examining your child's mouth, the orthodontist may prescribe one of the following remedies:

Braces: The most common way to correct an underbite is through braces. If your child is self-conscious about how he will look with metal braces, he can choose clear braces, which are less noticeable than their all-metal counterparts.

Appliances: Special appliances can be custom-made for your child's mouth; these include expanders, retainers and headgear. Since these are usually less comfortable and more noticeable, they should be used only when absolutely necessary.

Surgery: Occasionally, an underbite can be so severe that surgery is required to fix it. This should be considered only as a last resort.

Most underbites are easy to treat. If your child has one, consult your dentist to discuss treatment options.

For more information about underbite, please consult the dentists at Shenzhen A.K.J Stomatological Hospital.