Do you have an overbite that’s affecting your appearance or causing other dental problems? If so, now is the time to visit your orthodontist in Franklin, TN. An orthodontist will assess your overbite and recommend a corrective treatment option that’s right for you. 

What Is an Overbite?

An overbite, or malocclusion, happens when your upper teeth don’t align with your lower teeth, causing an overlap.

What Causes an Overbite?

Many things could cause an overbite.

• Genetics
• Teeth grinding
• Thumb sucking, bottle overuse, consistent use of a pacifier
• Maxillary protrusion (a type of jaw protrusion)
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
• The loss of one or more teeth without receiving corrective treatment
• Nail-biting or chewing on objects such as pencils, etc.

What are the Two Types of Overbites?

There are two types of overbites.

• Skeletal overbites – this is when your lower jaw is much smaller than your upper jaw, which pushes your upper teeth forward.
• Dental overbites – this is when your upper jaw and lower jaw are aligned but your teeth aren’t aligned correctly. When this happens, it pushes your lower jaw back, which results in an overbite.

How to Correct an Overbite

Your orthodontist in Franklin, TN will recommend one of the following treatments to correct your overbite.

• Dental braces
• Invisalign
• Overbite Surgery (also called jaw repositioning surgery or orthognathic surgery)
• Tooth extraction (this works for overcrowded teeth that cause an overbite to occur)

Your orthodontist will examine your mouth. They will then go over with you the overbite correction options that best suit your needs.

Is Overbite Correction Really Necessary?

Yes, overbite correction is important for any number of reasons. An overbite could negatively affect your appearance and your smile. Additionally, an overbite frequently results in your teeth becoming misaligned. It could also lead to jaw pain, tooth wear, and speech problems. Leaving an overbite uncorrected could result in the chances of tooth breakage if you were to have an accident that involved being hit in the mouth. This is because your upper jaw teeth protrude.

If you need an orthodontist in Franklin, TN, please Contact Cool Water Orthodontics today. We utilize the latest technological dental advances and use the latest in computer technology to provide you with the best possible dental care.