The troubles encountered due to buck teeth are known as overbite problems. The upcoming passages provide in-depth information about the treatment of this problem.
The meeting of the upper and lower teeth is known as malocclusion. Ideally, the upper front teeth are just a few millimeters away from the lower front teeth. However, when this gap is very large, the upper teeth start overlapping the lower teeth beyond the normal limits. This is known as an overbite. This problem is commonly seen in children when compared to adults.
Types
There are two types in this: vertical and horizontal.
- Vertical: In this type, the top teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth in a vertical manner.
- Horizontal: It is also known as an ‘overjet’. In this type, the top teeth protrude way beyond the bottom teeth. Some people show characteristics of both these types.
Causes
- Most overbite problems are hereditary. Sometimes during the developmental stages, the jaws may grow unevenly resulting in the lower jaw being too small or the upper jaw too large.
- Pencil chewing and nail-biting can also lead to this problem.
- Tongue thrusting, a habit in which a child pushes the tongue against the back of his/her teeth while swallowing, is also one of the major reasons.
- Childhood habits such as thumb and finger-sucking not only move the teeth, but also causes the jaw to go out of shape.
Inconvenience Caused
- Firstly, one of the biggest problems is aesthetics. An overbite condition is clearly visible and tends to look a little out of place. This can lead to children being bullied and teased at school.
- Secondly, as the teeth are so forwardly placed, they are highly prone to an injury. If the child falls on the face, then he/she can easily end up breaking or chipping the front teeth.
- Furthermore, at times, the protruding teeth may even have sharp edges, and can cause inadvertent biting of the lip. This can lead to cuts and other injuries.
- Also, anteriorly placed teeth may hinder complete closure of the mouth. This can result in mouth breathing which in turn can have dire consequences on the person’s dental and overall health.
- A partly open mouth can also lead to dryness of lips and mouth. It also leads to other problems like dental malocclusion, spacing in teeth, etc.
Treatment
These problems can be treated depending on the root cause.
- If the problem is purely dental, i.e., if it is only the teeth that are forwardly placed in the arch then this problem can be corrected with the help of orthodontic braces. Orthodontic braces are wires and brackets that connect the teeth together. The braces bring about teeth movement by applying a gentle force on them. This way, the teeth can then be restored back into their desirable position in the arch.
- If the problem is skeletal, i.e., if the person is suffering from this problem due to a forwardly placed upper jaw (maxilla), or a retruded mandible (lower jaw), or both then only dental treatment will not suffice. In such a case, the person will need to undergo a surgical treatment. The surgery involved will consist of taking the maxilla and positioning it posteriorly, or taking the mandible and positioning it anteriorly, or both depending on what is causing the overbite problem. In most cases, there is a need for a follow-up orthodontic treatment so as to properly bring all the teeth into the arch.
An overbite issue can affect a child psychologically. Hence, it is best to get this condition treated at the earliest so as to get that perfect smile!
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
