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What is an Underbite?

An underbite is case III malocclusion. In this condition of teeth misalignment, the lower teeth are pushed forward more than the upper teeth. It makes your jaw abnormally jut outwards.

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Underbite

Understanding an underbite by differentiating and treating this malocclusion

An underbite isn't just a matter of dental or physical health; it significantly influences one's appearance too. It occurs when the lower teeth extend outward past the upper teeth, resulting in a misalignment of the jaws.

Beyond the aesthetic concerns, underbites can lead to functional issues, such as difficulty with speech, biting, and chewing. They may also cause jaw pain and discomfort.

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Types of an underbite

Skeletal Underbite

Skeletal underbites can be genetically transferred from someone in your family. It can also be a result of the structural defect of your jaw. Another reason for its development can be the misalignment of your teeth.

Dental Underbite

Dental underbite can result from your lower teeth being in front of your upper teeth. This causes a poor bite as your teeth do not align whenever you close your mouth. It usually happens when your anterior teeth are not properly aligned.

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Types of an underbite

Skeletal Underbite

Skeletal underbites can be genetically transferred from someone in your family. It can also be a result of the structural defect of your jaw. Another reason for its development can be the misalignment of your teeth.

Dental Underbite

Dental underbite can result from your lower teeth being in front of your upper teeth. This causes a poor bite as your teeth do not align whenever you close your mouth. It usually happens when your anterior teeth are not properly aligned.

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Causes

  • This can be the result of you inheriting your jaw structure from someone in your family. This can be a common cause for the development of an underbite and if identified earlier, necessary precautions and treatments should be taken.
  • What babies do in their innocence can result in the development of this condition. The habits like thumb sucking, excessive bottle or pacifier use, and tongue thrusting can cause an underbite.
  • What if as a child or even as an adult you acquired facial or jaw injuries? This can be a serious problem as it may lead to the development of an underbite. This should not be ignored and should be treated as soon as possible.

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The following habits can result in the development of a crossbite among children

  • Thumb Sucking
  • Tongue Thrusting
  • Excessive Use of a Pacifier
  • Bottle Sucking
  • Teeth Pushing
  • Early Milk Teeth Loss

The following habits can result in the development of a crossbite among children

Thumb Sucking

Tongue Thrusting

Excessive Use of a Pacifier

Bottle Sucking

Teeth Pushing

Early Milk Teeth Loss

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Effects

In case you have developed an underbite, no matter your age, you should go and see an orthodontist to devise a treatment plan for it. With this, you can be saved from a lot of dental and physical health problems.

  • There can be an increased risk of tooth decay, crooked teeth, or gum diseases of various kinds.
  • You can develop a lisp which will make it difficult for you to pronounce certain words.
  • Difficulty can be faced while chewing food as the teeth will not adequately meet when the mouth is closed.
  • As it will be difficult to clean your teeth, this condition can lead to bad oral health resulting in gum diseases and bad breath.
  • It can also cause sleep apnea, which includes irregular breathing while you are asleep.
  • You will have a jaw that juts out, resulting in your smile looking weird and your confidence being low.
  • It can also lead to TMD which results in extreme pain in your jaw and the muscles surrounding it.

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Treatment

Underbite affects your lower jaw in such a way that it juts out forward. For this, you might need jaw alignment surgery before moving to the clear aligner treatment.

In the case of an underbite, OrthoPath Clear Aligners can expertly straighten your lower set of teeth by applying gentle pressure to align them into the right position.

Depending on the case, a few overlapping teeth might need to be extracted so that space can be made for the misaligned teeth to move back into a proper position.

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