Underbite: Symptoms, Causes and Correction Treatments

Do you avoid smiling freely due to a noticeable lower jaw protruding beyond the upper teeth? This guide from London's Bayswater Dental Clinic covers the symptoms, causes, types and both non-invasive as well as surgical underbite treatment options to realign your bite for improved facial profile, speech and confidence.

Defining Underbite

An underbite refers to the lower row of teeth extending out farther than the upper teeth when biting naturally, termed a “Class III malocclusion” in dentistry. The condition ranges from mild to severe based on millimeters of lower jaw advancement beyond upper teeth alignment.

Underbite Symptoms

Common signs of underbite misalignments involve:

Lower front teeth clearly protruding over the uppers
Upper teeth abnormally contacting lower gums only not lower teeth
Chronic jaw, muscle or TMJ joint pain on one or both sides
Difficulty chewing or biting evenly on both sides
Speech impediments requiring therapy to address pronunciation
Poor profile with chin visually more prominent than normal

underbite causes of contributing factors

Underbite Causes & Contributing Factors

Genetics often play a key role driving skeletal formation and dental compensations trying to mesh discordant jaw dimensions. Other influences can include:

Congenital conditions like cleft palate restricting maxilla growth
Thumb sucking or tongue thrusting habits repositioning tooth buds
Impeded airway airflow chronically mouth breathing forcing lower jaw forward unconsciously seeking oxygen

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020 7229 4627

Types of Underbite Conditions

Skeletal Underbite

Misaligned upper and lower jaw bone structures; severe cases often requiring combined surgery and orthodontics

Dental Underbite

Lower incisors lining up excessively in front of top teeth due to positioning rather than jaw proportions; removable appliances or braces commonly correct dental impactions

Pseudo Underbite

Molars and side teeth healthily aligned while lower front teeth flare beyond uppers appearing like a true underbite; predetermined early phase soon outgrown by additional eruption

Anterior Open Bite Underbite

Front teeth fail to overlap vertically while back teeth contact normally; difficult to self-correct requiring intervention

Underbite Correction Options Available in the UK

Best underbite correction options available

Removable Orthodontic Appliances

Clear plastic trays wearing 20-22 hours p/day utilize gentle constant pressure to nudge misaligned teeth into better positioning
TRADITIONAL Metal Braces

Stainless steel brackets cemented onto teeth surfaces apply light force to coerce movement into accurate orientation over gradual sequence of wire changes
CLEAR Braces

More aesthetic ceramic brackets with tooth colored wires blend better than metal train tracks while still leveraging gentle constant pressure on off-kilter teeth
Surgical Jaw Repositioning

For skeletal underbite, surgical osteotomy procedures reposition either upper or lower jaw into improved relationship after braces pre-alignment; then retainers secure progress

How Much a Typical Underbite Treatment Costs

Typical Underbite Treatment Costs in the UK

Removable Clear Appliance Therapy – Cost per arch: £1,800 to £2,500
Ceramic Braces – Average cost for case fee: £2,500 to £5,500
Incognito Lingual Braces – £4,000 to £7,000 per case
Clear Aligners – £3,500 to £7,000 comprehensive course of treatment
Double Jaw Orthognathic Surgery – £10,000 to £20,000 per surgery

Get a Confident Smile Back

If a protruding lower jaw jeopardizes oral function or self-confidence, the underbite correction specialists at Bayswater Dental Clinic provide both non-invasive realignment options as well as combined surgical treatments for properly positioned bites and beautifully balanced facial profiles.

CALL US TODAY!

020 7229 4627

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