Check Out 3 Options That May Help Treat Your Overbite
You may not be aware of it, but overbites are actually fairly common. If you or your child is dealing with this condition, there’s good news: There is help out there for you. At California Dental Group, we can assess your needs and offer our best advice on the best way to move forward. To schedule your appointment, contact us at (800) 407-0161. Otherwise, read on for three potential options to treat an overbite.
- Braces
- Invisalign
- Surgery
By far, the most common way that an overbite is treated is through orthodontics. Treating an overbite with braces has two stages. First, they straighten your teeth. Once that’s been accomplished, then treatment begins to be about fixing your overbite itself. For this, we’ll fit your braces with rubber bands that fit to your braces and work to pull back your top teeth.
Treating an overbite with braces can take as little as a few months to as long as two year – it all depends on the severity of the overbite. If it’s a very serious overbite, then braces may be the only option and they are likely to be effective. The main downside to braces is that it makes it more difficult to keep your teeth and gums happy, which can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other issues. Some people also don’t like the look and feel of braces.
For a person who doesn’t want the look or feel of braces, and doesn’t want to worry about bad oral health, Invisalign may be the right choice. With this option, you were clear trays most of the day. Over time, they slowly shift your teeth into the position we want them in. About every two weeks we give you new aligners so that your teeth slowly progress. This can also take a few months or a few years, depending on how serious the overbite is.
This is typically only a good idea if your overbite is relatively minor. You do have options to add rubber bands, which can help pull the top teeth back faster. However, the main drawback of using Invisalign is simply that it won’t work for more serious cases of overbite.
In the most serious of situations, surgery may be advised. As is true of any surgery, this option does involve risks and is used as a last resort. However, for very bad cases it is the most effective treatment. This is typically not done until the patient is at least in their late teens, preferably in their early 20s. Younger patients aren’t good options because their teeth are still developing.
If you or your child has an overbite and you’re ready to say goodbye to it, reach out to your local California Dental Group office to make an appointment. Call us at (800) 407-0161 and we can provide personalized treatment plans based on your unique case. We are here to help ensure your smile is happy and healthy, and that you’re proud to show off your dazzling teeth.
