How does an overbite develop

You could also develop speech problems, or frequently bite your tongue or the inside of your cheek. But if you have an overjet, your upper front teeth may extend in front of your lower teeth by more than 2 mm. Sometimes, an overjet is hereditary. So if your mother or father has one, you might develop one, too. This might occur if you have an underdeveloped lower jawbone that causes your upper teeth to protrude further than they should.

An overjet can also form if you had a habit of sucking your thumb or fingers as a child. Having a tongue thrust can also lead to an overjet, as can using a pacifier for an extended period. Some people use the terms overjet and overbite interchangeably. In both cases, your upper teeth will protrude over or in front of your bottom teeth. But with an overjet, the upper teeth protrude past the bottom teeth at an angle.

Although the upper teeth protrude past the bottom teeth, the teeth remain straight or downward. If you have a mild or slight overjet, treatment might be unnecessary. If you feel self-conscious about your teeth alignment, though, or if you develop problems, treatment options include:. Dental braces are designed to straighten and align teeth by gradually shifting them into a new location. Different types of braces are available for an overjet, including traditional metal braces and removable clear aligners.

The time frame for correcting an overjet with dental braces will vary depending on the severity of the overjet. Your doctor may also suggest treating an overjet with veneers. This is a piece of porcelain attached to the front surface of your teeth. Veneers can hide or mask misaligned teeth and other imperfections. With dental bonding , your doctor uses a composite resin to change the shape and size of your teeth. This can make protruding teeth less obvious.

The resin is strong like natural teeth, and once in place, the bonding can last for several years before needing to be replaced or repaired. Oral Surgeons. Pediatric Dentists. Restorative Dentists. Clear Aligners Treatment Overview. Clear Aligners vs Braces. Clear Aligners Treatment Length. Top Clear Aligner Brand Reviews.

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Medically Reviewed. Class three, on the other hand, is a severe underbite — when the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. If not treated, the overbite will allow the teeth to crowd each other and grow in crooked if there is too little room, or the teeth will be spaced too far apart if the jaw area is too large.

In infants and children, habits like thumb-sucking, sustained and consistent pacifier use and overuse of a bottle, which causes pushing the tongue against the back of the teeth, can produce an overbite. In teens and adults, chronic nail biting and chewing of objects such as pencils or other items can cause an overbite.

Losing teeth without timely repair can also cause an overbite. According to the American Dental Association, nearly 70 percent of children exhibit the signs of having an overbite. Other causes are:. 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:. An untreated overbite could also dramatically alter the facial structure and lead to issues like low self-esteem.

If an overbite in early childhood is severe, and continues to worsen, aesthetic deterioration could take place as early as pre-pubescence. Generally, a dentist will refer a patient with an overbite to an orthodontist for treatment.