Overbite is a condition in which the upper front teeth excessively overlap the bottom front teeth when back teeth are closed. It’s also called a “deep bite” or a “closed bite.”
What is Underbite ?
The lower front teeth or jaw sit ahead of the upper front teeth or jaw. Also known as a Class III malocclusion.
How to correct overbite and underbite ?
Typically overbite or underbite correction is a process that will take between 2 to 3 years.
- Orthodontic correction.
Orthodontic treatment comprising of traditional braces or clear aligners can be done depending upon the complexity of the case. It takes atleast 12-18 monts to correct the bite non-surgically. It is a conservative procedure and can correct mild to moderate cases. - Surgical correction – Orthognathic Jaw Surgery.
For complex to severe cases, after the correction of bite with orthodontic treatment, next step is to go for Orthognathic surgery to move upper or lower jaw.
Depending on the case, the surgery would either move the upper jaw forward to bring it in alignment with the lower jaw, move the lower jaw backwards, or possibly both. This involves disconnecting the upper jaw from the skull or cutting the lower jaw bone and realigning them with metal plates or screws to keep the jaw in place.
The surgery requires 8-12 weeks healing period before going back to remaining orthodontic correction to ensure the bite is in the right place.
The only disadvantage about this way of correction is that it takes a lot of time and is painful. But the results that are achieved after these extensive treatment modalities are just beyond expectations.
We at Aesthetica Dental Clinic & Implant Centre, Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata have the expertise in orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgeries and are very well equipped to carry out these procedures.
