Underbite Treatment
in Bend Oregon
An underbite is when your lower teeth stick out past your upper teeth. Instead of your top teeth overlapping the bottom ones like their supposed to, its reversed. If you have an underbite, you might notice it affects how you chew, speak, or even breathe. Some underbites are mild and dont cause problems, while others need treatment to prevent long term issues.
At Stillwater Dental Bend, we evaluate underbites and help you figure out if treatment is needed. We work with patients of all ages, from kids whose jaws are still growing to adults who want to fix a bite problem theyve had for years.
What Causes an Underbite
Most underbites are genetic. If someone in your family has one, theres a higher chance you will too. The condition usually comes from the lower jaw being too big, the upper jaw being too small, or a combination of both.
Childhood habits can contribute to underbites. Prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use, or bottle feeding past infancy can affect jaw development. Tongue thrusting, where you push your tongue forward when you swallow, can also make an underbite worse.
Injuries to the jaw during childhood can interfere with normal growth and lead to bite problems. Missing teeth or losing baby teeth too early can cause the remaining teeth to shift in ways that create or worsen an underbite.
Some medical conditions affect jaw development. Cleft lip and palate, for example, can cause underbites. Certain syndromes that affect bone growth can also lead to jaw size discrepancies.
Problems Caused by Underbites
An underbite makes chewing less efficient. Your teeth arent meeting properly, so you cant break down food as well. This can affect digestion and might make you avoid certain foods that are hard to chew.
Speech problems are common with underbites. Certain sounds are harder to pronounce when your bite is off. You might have a lisp or difficulty with s and z sounds.
The abnormal bite pattern puts extra stress on certain teeth and can wear them down unevenly. Your jaw joint can also suffer, leading to TMJ problems, clicking sounds, pain, and headaches.
Breathing issues can develop with severe underbites. The position of your jaws affects your airway, and some people with underbites are more prone to sleep apnea or snoring.
A lot of people are self conscious about how an underbite affects their appearance. The chin might look more prominent, and the face can have an unusual profile. At Stillwater Dental Bend, we help patients improve both function and confidence.
Treatment Options for Underbites
Treatment for an underbite depends on how severe it is, your age, and whats causing it. Mild underbites can sometimes be corrected with braces or clear aligners. These work by moving the teeth into better positions to improve the bite.
For children
whose jaws are still growing, we can use growth modification appliances. These devices help guide jaw development and can reduce or eliminate the underbite as the child grows. Early treatment often prevents the need for surgery later.
Upper jaw expanders can widen the upper jaw to better match the lower jaw. This works best in kids before their jaw bones have fully fused. The expander gradually widens the upper jaw over several months.
Reverse pull face masks are sometimes used in young children. These appliances pull the upper jaw forward while holding the lower jaw back, helping correct the underbite during growth.
For adults
with moderate to severe underbites, jaw surgery might be needed. Surgery repositions the jaw bones to create a proper bite relationship. This is combined with braces before and after surgery for the best results.
Not every underbite needs treatment. Some mild cases dont cause functional problems and can be left alone. At Stillwater Dental Bend, we’ll be honest about whether treatment is necessary or if monitoring is enough.
Oral Health Exams
During your oral health exam, we carefully evaluate your bite relationship. We look at how your upper and lower teeth come together and measure the extent of the underbite. X rays help us see the position of your jaw bones and teeth roots.
We check for signs that the underbite is causing problems, like excessive tooth wear, jaw pain, or difficulty chewing. We also assess your jaw joint for clicking, popping, or limited movement.
For children, early detection during routine exams allows us to monitor jaw growth and intervene at the best time if treatment is needed. We track how the bite develops as permanent teeth come in.
Teeth Cleaning
An underbite can create areas where plaque builds up more easily because the teeth dont fit together properly. Professional teeth cleanings at Stillwater Dental Bend help keep these trouble spots clean and healthy.
If your getting orthodontic treatment to fix your underbite, regular cleanings become even more important. Braces and other appliances make home cleaning harder, so professional cleanings every six months or more often help prevent cavities and gum disease.
Our hygienists will show you the best techniques for cleaning around your underbite and any orthodontic appliances. Good oral hygiene during treatment keeps your teeth and gums healthy.
Dental Crowns
If an underbite has caused excessive wear or damage to certain teeth, dental crowns can restore them. We typically correct the bite first with orthodontic treatment or surgery, then restore any damaged teeth with crowns.
Crowns protect worn teeth and bring them back to the right size and shape. This improves your bite function and appearance. At Stillwater Dental Bend, we create custom crowns that match your natural teeth and work with your corrected bite.
Veneers
Veneers arent a treatment for underbites themselves, but after correcting an underbite, some patients want to improve the appearance of their front teeth. Veneers can fix chips, discoloration, or shape issues to complete your smile makeover.
We always recommend fixing the bite problem first, then addressing cosmetic concerns. Trying to mask an underbite with veneers without correcting the underlying issue doesnt work and can damage the veneers.
Early Treatment for Underbites in Kids
Catching an underbite early in kids gives us the best treatment options. When the jaw is still growing, we can guide its development with less invasive methods. This often prevents the need for jaw surgery later in life.
We typically start evaluating bite problems around age seven. At this age, we can see how the permanent teeth are coming in and whether the jaw relationship looks normal. If an underbite is developing, we might recommend early intervention.
Parents in Bend often ask us when to start worrying about an underbite. If you notice your childs lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth, or if the chin looks unusually prominent, bring them in for an evaluation. The sooner we catch it, the more options we have.
Living with an Underbite While You Decide
If you have an underbite but arent ready to start treatment, be aware of potential issues. Pay attention to jaw pain, headaches, or difficulty chewing. These symptoms mean the underbite is causing functional problems.
Practice good oral hygiene because underbites make certain areas harder to clean. Use an electric toothbrush if possible, and dont skip flossing. Come in for regular dental checkups and cleanings.
If you have sleep apnea or snoring issues, talk to us about whether your underbite might be contributing. Correcting the bite can sometimes improve breathing problems.
Cost and Insurance for Underbite Treatment
The cost of treating an underbite varies based on the severity and treatment method. Orthodontic treatment with braces or aligners is less expensive than jaw surgery. Many dental insurance plans cover orthodontic treatment for children, and some cover adults if the underbite is causing functional problems.
At Stillwater Dental Bend, we work with your insurance company to maximize your benefits. We also offer payment plans to make treatment more affordable. When an underbite is causing medical issues like sleep apnea, medical insurance might help cover some costs.
Investing in underbite treatment improves your quality of life. Better chewing, less pain, improved breathing, and increased confidence are all benefits that last a lifetime.
Why Choose Stillwater Dental for Underbite Treatment
At Stillwater Dental Bend, we take a holistic approach to treating underbites. We look at your jaw health, breathing, sleep quality, and overall wellbeing, not just your teeth. We understand that an underbite affects more than just your smile.
We’ve been part of the Bend community for years and have helped many patients correct their bites. We stay current with the latest treatment options and work with specialists when needed to give you the best care.
We’ll give you honest advice about whether your underbite needs treatment. Not every case requires intervention, and we’ll never push treatment you dont need. Our goal is to help you make the right decision for your health.
Schedule Your Underbite Consultation in Bend
If you or your child has an underbite and your wondering if treatment is needed, give Stillwater Dental Bend a call or book online. We’ll evaluate your bite, explain what we see, and discuss your treatment options.
Dont let an underbite cause ongoing problems with chewing, speaking, jaw pain, or confidence. Modern treatment options can correct underbites and improve your quality of life. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.