Overbite & Underbite Treatment in Bangalore

Understanding Overbite and Underbite

Overbite and underbite are common bite problems (malocclusions) that affect how your upper and lower teeth meet. While some degree of overlap is normal, excessive overbite or any underbite typically requires treatment.

Overbite (Deep Bite) Occurs when the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth too much vertically. In severe cases, the lower teeth may bite into the gum behind the upper teeth.

Underbite Occurs when the lower teeth and jaw sit in front of the upper teeth. This creates a "bulldog" appearance and significantly affects function.

At Curve Orthodontics in Bangalore, Dr. Garima Gupta (MDS Orthodontics) provides comprehensive bite correction treatment. Addressing these conditions improves both function and facial balance.

Causes of Overbite and Underbite

Overbite Causes:

• Genetics: Inherited jaw size and position are primary factors
• Childhood Habits: Thumb sucking and pacifier use can contribute
• Overdeveloped Upper Jaw: Upper jaw may be positioned too far forward
• Underdeveloped Lower Jaw: Lower jaw may be smaller or positioned back
• Missing Lower Teeth: Loss of lower molars can worsen overbite over time

Underbite Causes:

• Genetics: Strong hereditary component—often runs in families
• Overdeveloped Lower Jaw: Lower jaw grows larger or more forward than normal
• Underdeveloped Upper Jaw: Upper jaw may be smaller than ideal
• Childhood Habits: Some habits can contribute to underbite development
• Mouth Breathing: May affect jaw development in children

Effects of Untreated Bite Problems

Functional Issues:

• Difficulty chewing and biting food properly
• Uneven tooth wear leading to sensitivity and damage
• TMJ problems causing jaw pain, headaches, and clicking
• Speech difficulties in some cases

Dental Health:

• Increased risk of tooth decay in hard-to-clean areas
• Gum damage from teeth biting into gums (severe overbite)
• Potential tooth fractures from abnormal forces

Appearance:

• Facial profile imbalance
• Self-consciousness about smile and appearance

How Bite Correction Treatment Works

Overbite Treatment

The approach depends on whether the overbite is dental or skeletal:

Dental Overbite: Teeth are positioned incorrectly but jaw relationship is normal

• Intrusion of front teeth (moving them up into the gum)
• Extrusion of back teeth (building up the bite)
• Braces with bite plates or aligners with bite ramps

Skeletal Overbite: Jaw position contributes to the problem

• Growth modification in children (functional appliances)
• Extraction-based treatment in some adult cases
• Orthognathic surgery for severe skeletal discrepancy

Underbite Treatment

Underbites are often more complex to treat:

In Children: Early intervention can guide jaw growth

• Palate expanders to widen narrow upper jaw
• Facemask therapy to encourage upper jaw forward growth
• Braces to align teeth once jaw relationship improves

In Adults: Since jaws have stopped growing

• Braces with elastics for mild, dental underbites
• Extraction and retraction of lower teeth in some cases
• Orthognathic surgery combined with braces for severe skeletal underbites

Treatment Duration