Overbite vs. Underbite: What’s the Difference?

One look at cosmetic dentistry B & A pictures relating to corrective measures for an overbite or underbite, and you can see the damage these conditions can cause and the relief offered by going to the best cosmetic dentist in San Antonio for your dental health needs.

Advances in technology and methodology have made corrective procedures easier and more effective for that best dentist in San Antonio to give patients a brand new smile. Overbites, underbites, and crossbites are most often caused by genetics, and use similar approaches for correction, though there are some important distinctions in the treatment options for each.

Underbite

In the ideal situation, lower front teeth should grow in behind your upper teeth to form the best alignment for eating and speaking. An underbite occurs when the lower teeth form in front of the upper teeth. Having an underbite will also affect the positioning and alignment of your molars and upper incisors.

Prolonged use of a pacifier as a child can lead to the development of an underbite as adult teeth grown in. Kids who breathe through their mouth more than their nose due to allergies or other conditions can develop an underbite when their mouths are fully formed.

An underbite can make it hard to chew. If left uncorrected, an underbite can lead to headaches and an increased risk of joint arthritis in your jaw. It can also lead to a painful condition called a temporomandibular joint syndrome.

Overbite

Conversely, an overbite is when there is an excess of space between the upper front teeth and the lower teeth. Overbites are the most common structural dental disorders. Like underbites, overbites are generally genetic abnormalities. These can also be caused or exasperated by thumb sucking, prolonged pacifier use, or mouth breathing while adult teeth are still forming, and children's faces are still growing and developing. These activities can have significant impacts on dental growth while their jaw is tender and more easily manipulated.

In addition to overbites being visually obvious, the condition also can make it hard and sometimes painful to chew. Extra stress being put on the jaw bone can lead to headaches and temporomandibular joint syndrome.

Crossbite

When one or more teeth grow in tilted toward your cheek, it is called buccal. Teeth that point toward the tongue are known as lingual. These conditions form a crossbite condition that puts significant stress on the jaw bone.

Heredity is the leading culprit for crossbites and can also form when baby teeth are lost later than normal.

5 Star Dental Treats All Forms of Teeth Issues

Whether you need to correct an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, 5 Star Dental is a full-service dental practice. They provide treatment options and porcelain veneers San Antonio trusts to give them a brand new smile.

Examining porcelain veneers before and after photos and other cosmetic dentistry b & pictures show the effective impact treatment of dental abnormalities can have on your teeth. Contact 5 Star Dental for complete information today.