About
Overbite
What Is
an Overbite?
Overbites are identified when the upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth by a proportion of between 30-50%. It is what is medically referred to as a malocclusion. Oftentimes, an overbite can merely appear to be a problem with crooked teeth when in fact the person’s teeth and jaws are not lining up properly. Overbites can often be hereditary, with some people being born with malformed jaws that developed in an uneven manner.
Types of Overbites
- Vertical Overbite – Where the top teeth significantly overlap the bottom teeth.
- Horizontal Overbite – Occurs when the top teeth protrude over the bottom teeth.
What Happens If
I Don’t Treat It?
If left untreated, an overbite could cause significant health complications. These include irreparable damage to teeth from abnormal positioning and possible jaw pain including temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ).
Other overbite complications include:
- Tooth decay including cavities and gum disease
- Severe headaches
- Discomfort or pain while eating
- Trouble with fully opening or closing mouth
- Sleep apnea
- Difficulty speaking
