Ideally, when your upper and lower teeth come together, the result should be harmonious, not a conflicting battle. Fortunately, our Gainesville and Lake City, FL, orthodontists have experience diagnosing and treating a range of bite abnormalities. Two of which are .
Here’s how both are corrected and what your treatment plan may involve.
How the Two Bite Issues Relate
They both have “over” in their name and are bite problems so they have to be the same, right? Not quite. While both overjets and overbites do involve how the front teeth sit in relation to the bottom teeth, there is one key distinction.
An overjet deals with a horizontal extension of the front teeth that can commonly be referred to as “buck teeth”. Overbites, however, describe vertical misalignment that occurs between the upper and lower front teeth. This can result in an excessive overlap and in severe cases, can mean that the lower teeth touch the gum tissue behind the upper front teeth.
Both are common and nothing to be ashamed of if you have one. Our orthodontists would be glad to speak with you or your child one-on-one to find the best course of action in terms of orthodontic treatment.
Factors that Lead to Overjets and Overbites
While it mainly comes down to genetics and family history, there are other reasons behind . One of those reasons is jaw size or shape. When a patient’s jaw is either too small or larger than what may be expected, malocclusion (a bad bite) can happen.
For example, a smaller jaw can cause teeth to grow misaligned or crowded while a bigger jaw can mean that the teeth drift and space out a bit too much. Habits during childhood like thumb sucking and using a pacifier can also increase the risk of developing an overbite or overjet.
Identifying an Overbite or Overjet
Many bite problems are obvious when a person smiles but that doesn’t eliminate the possibility of other felt symptoms. Our orthodontists will consider all angles before making any and want to hear firsthand what’s being experienced day to day.
You may have one of these bite issues if you notice:
- A grinding feeling as the upper and lower teeth move together
- Soreness or pain in your jaw
- Regular headaches
- That cavities or gum issues are common despite brushing and flossing regularly
- You have trouble speaking (i.e., lisp) or chewing properly
- You breathe with your mouth open often
Finding the Right Treatment
Whether you’re an adult seeking orthodontic treatment or you feel it’s time for your child to be evaluated, we offer several different options to choose from inside one of our offices. Depending on your preferences, you can decide to go the more traditional route or switch it up and try something less obvious in appearance.
The following can be used to treat overbites or overjets:
There is a chance that orthodontic surgery may be necessary if the malocclusion is severe enough. Our orthodontists will be sure to discuss this with you if it becomes clear that advanced intervention is essential.
Have Your Bite Evaluated
The best way to begin your smile journey is to come in and speak with our team of orthodontists in Gainesville and Lake City, FL. We’ll take a closer look at your smile, assess your bite, and make our professional recommendations. Call one of our Progressive Orthodontics offices today to request an appointment.
