Overbites: Causes, Concerns, and Corrective Measures

Overbites-Causes-Concerns-and-Corrective-Measures

Have you ever wondered if your teeth are aligned properly? An overbite, where your front teeth extend over your bottom teeth, affects about 22% of people. You can check by biting down and seeing if you can’t see your bottom teeth. Overbites can be common, but if they’re severe, they might cause problems like jaw pain or tooth decay.  Let’s delve into recognising overbites and understanding how to know if you have an overbite.

A] Decoding Overbites: A Comprehensive Understanding

What is an Overbite?

An overbite, also called buck teeth, is a common dental condition where there’s a vertical misalignment of the teeth, characterised by the upper teeth overlapping the lower teeth excessively. 

This misalignment can vary in severity, ranging from mild to extreme. While a slight overbite is common and may not cause significant issues, an extreme overbite can lead to multiple oral health problems if not treated properly. This discrepancy in alignment alters what an overbite looks like compared to a normal bite, where the upper and lower teeth align more closely.

Characteristics of an Overbite

An overbite, particularly a severe overbite, shows distinct traits that are observable in the alignment of the teeth. Beyond the visible protrusion of the upper teeth, an overbite may manifest through several noticeable characteristics:

  • Vertical Misalignment: The upper front teeth are positioned further forward vertically, creating an imbalance in the alignment between the upper as well as lower dental arches.
  • Protrusion of Upper Teeth: The upper front teeth visibly extend beyond the lower front teeth, leading to a jaw overbite or prominent overlap.
  • Bite Irregularity: The bite alignment is disrupted, causing an incorrect occlusion where the upper and lower teeth fail to meet properly.
  • Potential Health Risks: Severe overbites can contribute to various oral health issues, including jaw pain, gum disease, and tooth decay, due to the uneven distribution of pressure on the teeth and gums.
  • Facial Appearance Alteration: In extreme cases, an overbite can affect facial aesthetics, potentially leading to a weakened jawline, sunken cheeks, and a short, round face shape.

What Causes an Overbite?

An overbite, defined as the protrusion of the upper teeth over the lower teeth by 30–50%, can arise from various underlying causes. These factors contribute to the misalignment of the dental arches and may include the following:

  • Genetic Traits: Hereditary factors play a significant role in the development of overbites, as certain genetic predispositions can affect the alignment and growth patterns of the teeth and jaws.
  • Excessive Nail Biting: Habitual nail biting can exert pressure on the teeth, leading to irregularities in their alignment over time.
  • Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Persistent teeth grinding (bruxism), often occurring during sleep, can wear down the tooth enamel and contribute to changes in tooth positioning.
  • Crowding: Insufficient space in the dental arches can result in overcrowding, forcing the teeth to shift out of alignment and potentially leading to an overbite.
  • Loss of Back Teeth Due to Wear and Tear: Missing back teeth, whether due to decay, trauma, or extraction, can disrupt the balance of the bite and contribute to the development of an overbite.

Overbite vs Regular Bite

Teeth Alignment

  • Overbite: Upper teeth noticeably protrude over lower teeth.
  • Regular Bite: Upper and lower teeth align evenly.

Degree of Overlap

  • Overbite: Upper teeth may significantly cover lower teeth.
  • Regular Bite: Minimal overlap between upper and lower teeth.

Functional Impact

  • Overbite: May affect chewing and speaking abilities.
  • Regular Bite: Supports efficient chewing and speaking.

Dental Risks

  • Overbite: Higher risk of tooth wear, gum disease, and TMJ disorders.
  • Regular Bite: Reduced risk of dental issues due to proper alignment.

Overbite vs Underbite

Teeth Alignment

  • Overbite: Upper front teeth protrude over the lower front teeth.
  • Underbite: Lower front teeth protrude beyond the upper front teeth.

Visual Appearance

  • Overbite: Upper teeth may be more prominent, leading to a protruding upper jaw.
  • Underbite: Lower jaw may appear more prominent, creating a protruding lower jaw or “bulldog” appearance.

Functional Implications

  • Overbite: This may lead to difficulties in chewing, speaking, and jaw alignment issues.
  • Underbite: This can cause similar functional challenges, affecting bite function and facial symmetry.

Dental Health Risks

  • Overbite: Increased risk of tooth wear, gum disease, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders due to uneven pressure on the teeth and jaws.
  • Underbite: Similar risks of dental issues due to misalignment, including tooth decay and gum problems.

B] Health Risks and Symptoms of Overbite

Overbites can pose several health risks and lead to various symptoms, potentially impacting both oral and overall health. Some common health risks and symptoms associated with overbites include:

  1. Gum Disease Risk: Difficulty cleaning teeth can lead to gum disease due to plaque buildup.
  2. Tooth Wear: Uneven pressure can accelerate tooth wear, causing sensitivity and decay.
  3. Jaw Pain: Severe overbites strain jaw muscles and joints, resulting in pain.
  4. Headaches: Misalignment may cause tension headaches or migraines.
  5. Speech Issues: Overbites can affect speech clarity and pronunciation.

C] What Are the Overbite Treatment Options?

The first step in treating an overbite is to consult your dentist or orthodontist for a thorough evaluation and personalised treatment plan. Overbites can be effectively treated through various methods, depending on the severity of the condition and individual patient factors. Here are some common overbite treatment options for correcting overbite:

  • Orthodontic Solutions

Orthodontic treatment solutions, such as braces or clear aligners like Invisalign, are often recommended for correcting overbites. These appliances gradually shift the teeth’ position and jaws into proper alignment over time. Braces use brackets and wires to apply controlled pressure to move the teeth, while Invisalign offers a more discreet and removable alternative.

  • Orthotropic Approaches

Orthotropic treatment focuses on guiding natural growth and development to correct jaw and facial asymmetries associated with overbites. This approach aims to address underlying structural issues and encourage proper oral posture and function.

  • Jaw Surgery

In severe cases of overbite where orthodontic treatment alone may be insufficient, surgical intervention may be necessary. Orthognathic surgery, also called jaw surgery, can reposition the jaws to achieve optimal bite alignment and facial harmony.

  • Palate Expander

For patients with narrow dental arches contributing to an overbite, a palate expander may be used. This device widens the upper jaw gradually by applying gentle pressure to the palate, creating more space for proper tooth alignment.

Before initiating any treatment, seeing an orthodontist for a comprehensive evaluation is essential. This may involve dental X-rays to assess the extent of the overbite and determine the most suitable treatment approach. Your dental professional can provide personalised guidance on how to fix an overbite and recommend the appropriate treatment option as per your specific needs and goals.

D] 5+ Tips for Overbite Correction

Following are some tips for fixing overbite:

  1. Stay Ahead: Catch overbites early by scheduling regular dental check-ups for swift intervention.
  2. Expand Your Options: Consider palate expanders to widen narrow palates and create space for alignment.
  3. Go Natural: Explore orthotropic therapies for a holistic approach to overbite correction.
  4. Nail the Habits: Kick habits like nail-biting as it can exacerbate overbites.
  5. Evaluate Extremes: Discuss surgical options with professionals if facing deep overbites.
  6. Speak Up: Seek speech therapy assistance for any speech issues linked to overbites.
  7. Track Progress: Keep an eye on progress and adjust treatment as needed for best results.

Conclusion

Taking care of our mouths is crucial for feeling good and smiling a lot! We at Oris Dental fix overbites and make sure our teeth work well and look nice. With our expertise, you can address overbites effectively, ensuring optimal dental function and aesthetics. Contact a dentist in Sunshine Coast for expert overbite treatment solutions today.

Dr. Adarsh Pisharodi - Dentist at Oris Dental

Dr. Adarsh Pisharodi

Dr. Adarsh Pisharodi, serving as the principal dentist at Oris Dental, brings a wealth of expertise spanning over 26 years to his esteemed practice. Specializing in cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, and orthodontics, he takes immense pride in rejuvenating countless smiles and instilling confidence in Sunshine Coast residents. As an esteemed member of the Australian Dental Association and esteemed dental societies, he remains steadfast in delivering exceptional care to his patients.

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Dr. Adarsh Pisharodi

Dr. Adarsh Pisharodi, serving as the principal dentist at Oris Dental, brings a wealth of expertise spanning over 26 years to his esteemed practice. Specializing in cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, and orthodontics, he takes immense pride in rejuvenating countless smiles and instilling confidence in Sunshine Coast residents. As an esteemed member of the Australian Dental Association and esteemed dental societies, he remains steadfast in delivering exceptional care to his patients.

Adarsh (Principal Dentist)

Adarsh

Adarsh (A-Dash) is the principal dentist at Oris Dental. Adarsh graduated as a dentist in 1996 from the University of Mumbai (Bombay, India). He entered private practice as an assistant dentist in one of the leading practices in Mumbai from 1996-2002. The practice offered all aspects of dentistry with the exception of Orthodontics. This prompted Adarsh to pursue a post graduate degree in Orthodontics and successfully completed the 3 year Full time the master’s program from University of Mumbai (Bombay, India) in 2005. Since then, Adarsh has been in private practice both as a general dentist and an orthodontist. He also served as teaching faculty at University in Mumbai for 3 yrs and when in India, he has been ‘the dentist’ to many dentists!! In 2008, Adarsh took the Australian Dental Council exam for direct recognition of his skill in Australia. He successfully completed the exams in the first attempt and moved to Australia early 2009. He has been in private practice in Australia since Jan 2009. Oris Dental was set up in Minyama in 2011. Oris Dental is now over 8 years old and is growing to be a well-respected practice in the area. He is particularly interested in Cosmetic dentistry Dental implants and Orthodontics. Adarsh hopes to use all the experience he has gained in the past 22 years, to offer the best in dentistry to all his patients in this practice. Adarsh believes in spreading smiles and has successfully designed smiles and in doing so improved the lives and self-confidence of many Sunshine Coast locals (Take a look at our Smile gallery!). Adarsh is an active member of the Australian Dental Association since 2009 He held the post of Senior Lecturer in Orthodontics in Mumbai University before moving to Australia. He is a Life member of the Indian Dental Association, serving as the General Secretary of the Association (Mumbai City Chapter) 2007-2009 He is Life member of the Indian Orthodontic Society. He is Candidate for Membership Examination MRACDS (Ortho) and plans to complete his membership exams soon. Adarsh is also currently pursuing his Diploma in Implant dentistry at the Royal College of Surgeons(Edinburgh). Adarsh has recently complete intensive training in implant placement and restoration in Neoss and TRI (Swiss) Implant system. He is married to Prachi for 15yrs and they have a 11 yr old son – Aarjav, a little daughter Aria who has just started prep and Daisy the mad Lab pup! He is currently learning to play Tennis and Badminton and loves watching the cricket!

Prachi (Owner/ Dentist)

Prachi

Prachi is the director, part time dentist at Oris Dental. Prachi graduated in 2002 from Nair hospital dental college, Mumbai (Bombay, India), one of the leading dental schools in Asia. She then worked in multiple private practices across Mumbai (Bombay, India). While working as a dentist in various practices she picked up the positives from them and implemented them into this practice at Oris Dental. She is very friendly by nature and is particularly good at handling children, preventive dentistry and hygiene. Prachi moved to Australia in 2009. Prachi has there on completed her Australian Dental council exams successfully in early 2011 and is now ready to bring in her 12 years of experience to Oris Dental. Prachi also serves as a part time dentist at the Oral Health Services Sunshine Coast in Caloundra Kawana and Nambour as needed.

Davina (Dentist)

Davina

Davina has been a part of our family since 2014. After completing her bachelor’s degree from the University of Queensland, Davina has been in private practice in an around the Sunshine coast for a year before joining us full time. Davina shows exemplary skills in building a great relationship and rapport with her patients and is well regarded by her peers. Davina is very highly regarded by her current patients. Davina currently works 3 days a week.

Lise Slack (Dental Hygienist)

Lise Stack

Our dental hygienist Lise Slack is a trained member of the dental team who works together with your dentist in preventing gum diseases and dental decay.

Lise joined OrisDental in 2015 and has worked extensively in private specialist practices. She graduated from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa in 1982 and has had specific training and exposure to an extensive range of periodontal conditions and treatment modalities.

Lise’s dad was a professor in dentistry and this is where her love of teeth comes from. She has invented two specialist oral care products which are available in Australia and several international countries. Lise has also lectured at international dental conferences on the maintenance of dental implants and how to help patients care for their teeth once they have contracted periodontitis.

Both adults and children can benefit from having an appointment with a dental hygienist as they are taught how dental diseases occur and how it can be prevented or managed.

Lise is married to Sam and they have two daughters. They value their family time and love adventurous outdoor sports.

Jesse (Dental Assistant)

Jesse (Dental Assistant)

Jess has been a part of Oris Dental from the outset in 2011. Always cheerful and welcoming Jess is the star amongst our patients at our practice. If you cannot find Jess in the practice she will be at the beach!

 

Kaela (Receptionist)

Debra (Receptionist)

Kaela arrived at our practice in early 2021. Coming from eight years of retail experience in Northern NSW, she loves working with people and assisting in any way she can. Kaela has also just finished her training as a dental assistant. You will immediately fall in love with her happy, bubbly personality.

Abby (Sr. Dental Assistant)

Abby (Dental Assistant)

Abby is originally from Hervey Bay, but she has been calling the Sunshine Coast home with her husband and two kids for the past four and a half years. Abby completed her cert III in dental assisting in 2015 and is looking to further her studies In the near future. Abby enjoys camping, playing guitar, and travelling
the world with her family.

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    Dr. Param Dass

    Dr. Param Dass

    Param Dass graduated with a Bachelor in Dentistry from the University of Otago, NZ in 2005. He went on to complete his Bachelor in Medicine from the University of Auckland NZ in 2010.

    Param started working part time in our practice since 2015 with special interest in surgical procedures including Dental implants and bone grafting procedures, Surgical extractions including Wisdom teeth and other minor surgical procedures.

    Param is well known for being gentle and caring in treating patients with dental anxiety and maintains a calm demeanour.

    He is also well trained in working with patients with various levels of anxiety, offering dental treatment under Happy Gas, Twilight sedation or under Full general anaesthetic.

    Dr. Brayden Fracchia

    Dr. Brayden Fracchia

    Brayden hails from North Queensland, having completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery at JCU Cairns, practicing in Hobart and outreach dentistry from Mount Isa over the course of his studies. He has worked with us since 2020. Brayden enjoys becoming a part of a community and enjoys the outdoors and sport in his spare
    time. Having only recently moved to the beautiful Sunshine Coast, Brayden is enthusiastic and well versed in all aspects of basic general dentistry and looks forward to bringing North Queensland hospitality to the South East.

    Briar

    Briar

    Briar stated off as a trainee dental assistant in our practice mid-2020. She is the youngest member of our practice and is rapidly becoming an integral part of team Oris. Briar completed her Certificate 3 in our practice in 2021 and works full time Dental assistant at Oris Dental.

    Drew

    Drew

    Drew is Oris Dental’ newest member, who has only recently moved from his hometown of Rockhampton. He is our Oral Health Therapist, who specializes in oral health education, general check-ups, fillings and more!
    He loves a good chat and a laugh at work. He prioritizes patient’s comfort and likes to encourage an environment where everyone feels a sense of security and safety in the dental setting. When Drew isn’t at work you’ll find him having a refreshing swim at the beach or having his usual dirty chai at his local cafe.

    Jasmine

    Jasmine

    Jasmine joined our practice in November 2021 and works with our Oral Health Therapist Drew. Jasmine is new to dental assistance, however is quickly taking on any and all challenges that come her way! She loves animals, and spending quality time with her husband and two kids. Welcome to the team!

    Brooke

    Brooke

    Brooke is originally from Brisbane but has been living on the coast since 2017. She brings over 15 years of experience in the dental industry and has had the opportunity to work in London and Melbourne for the Royal Flying Doctors. Brooke enjoys surfing, scuba diving and exploring the many things that the Sunny Coast has to offer.

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