Overbite Teeth: Types of Overbite, Causes and Its Treatment

An overbite is a condition where the top set of teeth protrudes beyond the lower set of teeth. Many people have a slight overbite which isn’t a big cause of concern. However, in case of a severe overbite, dental help must be taken to avoid future complications and health issues. Overbite teeth can lead to problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and severe jaw pain. These issues can create major hurdles in performing some basic functions like chewing and speaking.

What are the Different Types of Overbites?

Overbites are classified based on their appearance as well as their causes. In the case of appearance, there are primarily two types of overbites.

• Horizontal Overbite- A condition where the top set of teeth extends beyond the lower set.
• Vertical Overbite – This is a scenario where the top teeth completely overlap the lower set of teeth.

In addition to the above, the other types of overbites are:

• Skeletal Overbites- This condition is primarily caused due to lack of uniformity in jawbone structure. This condition is genetic and persists right from birth.
• Dental Overbite- Dental Overbite occurs due to poor dental habits, loss of back teeth, and crowding of teeth. This condition can be resolved by orthodontic intervention.

What Causes Overbites?

In many cases, overbite teeth are hereditary and are passed from one generation to other. However, this condition can also be caused by several lifestyle habits like:

• Excessive nail biting
• Using pacifiers for children for prolonged periods
• Thumb sucking habit beyond the age of 3
• Teeth grinding
• Tongue thrusting on teeth

As observed, most overbite issues can be resolved through early parental intervention and proper dental care taken for children. However, even as adults, several people have a habit of chewing pencils or flossing vigorously. These habits can develop overbite even in adults.

Problems caused by an Overbite Teeth

If ignored for a long period, overbites can cause severe harm to our dental health as well as appearance. The symptoms of overbite such as jaw pain, difficulty in chewing, speech issues, and discomfort in eating must not be ignored. When ignored, this condition can cause problems such as breathing difficulties, gum disease, tooth decay, cavities, and change in facial structure. The dental problems and issues in chewing and swallowing properly can also lead to digestive problems over time which is why early action on overbite is highly recommended.

Overbite Teeth Treatment Without Braces

There are several treatment methods available for overbites today depending on their severity. For overbites that are caused due to jawbone structure issues, surgical intervention may be required. However, most of the other overbites caused due to teeth crowding or poor dental habits can be rectified by using braces, veneers, or aligners. Out of all these solutions, clear aligners have emerged as the most preferred method for treating overbites. Clear aligners provide a near transparent look and are pain-free solutions compared to traditional braces. In addition to this, aligners can be customized as per your teeth and jaw structure and come with no dietary restrictions.