Underbites and overbites refer to different dental misalignments of the upper and lower jaws and teeth. Both of these conditions can vary greatly for people. Some may have a minor condition, while others may cause severe issues. One way to adjust dental misalignments is through braces. Braces help align the teeth, in turn fixing the bite and other dental problems. Let’s look at underbite vs. overbite, the differences, the appearances, the causes, and potential issues.

What is an Underbite?

The differences between an underbite vs. overbite are based on the jaws and teeth. An underbite is a dental condition that occurs when the lower jaw extends forward, causing the front lower teeth to stick out over the front upper teeth. It is a class III malocclusion or misaligned teeth.  

Appearance

In more severe cases, underbite misalignment may affect appearance. This dental condition makes the chin more prominent, causing it to jut outwards.

Causes

About 5% to 10% of people have underbites, and different factors, including genetics, size of the lower jaw, underdeveloped top jaw, or teeth position, can cause them. Inherited genes play a major role in the size and shape of the jaws and teeth; most people who have misaligned teeth inherit the condition. Prolonged childhood behaviors can also play a role in misaligned teeth. Actions like thumb sucking, bottle feeding, or pacifier use can place repeated pressure on teeth while they’re forming, causing an underbite. Injury to the jaw or other medical conditions like tumors can also cause misaligned teeth.

Symptoms

A mild underbite may not cause issues, but if it is severe enough, it can cause many symptoms. Some of the issues associated with an underbite are jaw pain, trouble opening or closing the mouth, discomfort or pain while chewing or speaking, biting the inside of the mouth, difficulty breathing, and bad breath. If the underbite goes untreated, it can cause additional issues like Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and sleep apnea. 

What is an Overbite?

As stated above, the size, shape, and alignment of the jaws and teeth determine an underbite vs. overbite. An overbite refers to the vertical misalignment of teeth. It occurs when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth significantly more than is normal when the mouth is closed. This condition is a malocclusion, misaligned teeth, like an underbite.

Appearance

The lower teeth may not be visible in serious overbite cases because the upper teeth cover them. This dental condition can cause the front teeth to protrude, which some call ‘buck teeth.’ In severe cases, the upper teeth may even hang over the lower lip. In most cases, an overbite can affect the balance of a smile.

Causes

A small overbite is normal for most people and actually is necessary for proper oral health. A 10% to 20% overlap is considered normal, while if a person has more than a 20% overlap of their upper teeth, it is considered an overbite. This dental condition is caused by various reasons, including genetics, childhood habits, improper jaw and teeth development, teeth grinding, and tongue thrusting. Genetics is a major factor when it comes to the size, shape, and alignment of teeth. Prolonged childhood habits like pacifier use, thumb sucking, and excessive nail biting can also cause a person to have an overbite. 

Symptoms

A severe overbite is more noticeable than a minor overbite, but this type of malocclusion can affect more than just appearance. If an overbite is left untreated, it can cause issues like tooth erosion, breathing problems, gum disease, jaw pain, pain while chewing or speaking, Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), cavities, and speech problems. Overbites can also cause health complications such as headaches, earaches, and neck pain.

Underbite vs. Overbite: How Braces Can Help

Orthodontics is a great way to fix both underbite and overbite issues. Typically, a dentist will first notice the issue and refer the patient to an orthodontist to treat it with braces. In most instances, orthodontic treatment is all a person needs to fix these issues. But, in severe cases, corrective jaw surgery may be needed along with traditional braces.

Let’s look into underbite vs. overbite orthodontic treatment. Both dental conditions can be fixed by using braces to properly realign the teeth and sometimes even the jaw. Braces are used to correct an underbite by first realigning the teeth and then using elastic bands to pull the upper front teeth forward. To correct an overbite, elastic bands are used during the second stage of orthodontic treatment to readjust the jawline into the correct position slowly.

After orthodontic treatment is complete, retainers are the most important step in maintaining the beautiful smile that was created. Once the pressure from the braces is gone, teeth will gradually start to move back to their natural position, retainers can prevent this movement.

Conclusion

Braces are a common orthodontic treatment for underbites and overbites; they align the teeth and correct the jaw position. When looking at underbite vs. overbite, there are similarities and differences. The similarities are that they are both dental misalignment conditions where the jaw position isn’t healthy. They differ by which jaw is protruding; for an underbite, the lower jaw and teeth protrude over the upper jaw and teeth. For an overbite, the upper jaw and teeth overlap the lower jaw and teeth. Both conditions can cause severe issues if left untreated, so it is best to alleviate these problems with the help of an orthodontist. Braces are a highly effective treatment for underbites and overbites, significantly improving dental alignment, appearance, and function.