Underbite

An underbite occurs when the lower teeth are positioned in front of the upper teeth when biting down fully on the back teeth. This usually occurs when the lower jaw is too big relative to the upper jaw, or when the upper jaw is too small relative to the lower jaw. Both of these jaw size imbalances result in an underbite. Patients with underbites usually have what is called a class III jaw relationship and a concave profile.

What causes the jaws to develop into an underbite relationship?

Sometimes, there is a strong genetic component, and patients can often identify this trait in multiple family members. But sometimes we do not know the cause of this growth discrepancy. Regardless, an important prerequisite to treatment is proper diagnosis. And a diagnosis is made with a history, clinical exam, and usually, 3-dimensional imaging.

Does an underbite need to be fixed?

Not always! The decision to fix your underbite is really up to you as the patient. The potential problems it can cause are speech impediments, chewing difficulties, and cosmetic issues. If none of these bother you, then there is not a very compelling reason to fix the underbite. Having an underbite jaw relationship can, however, lead to jaw-joint pain later in life, but this is not a definite, it is just a possibility. We recommend being evaluated and discussing your unique situation with your doctor, and gathering as much information as you can, and weighing all risks and benefits, before making an informed decision.

How is an underbite fixed?

Sometimes, an underbite is so mild that it can be corrected with braces alone, and kind of camouflage the fact that the lower jaw is slightly larger than the upper. However, this can only be done successfully for mild underbites. For more major jaw size discrepancies, the only way to really fix the bite and get the teeth to meet properly is with corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery. There is much information out there about this surgery, and some of it is good information, but a lot of it is just wrong. Even many doctors do not know much about this very specialized area. We strongly urge you to meet with a surgeon who performs this surgery regularly, so you can learn about it and understand the procedure, as well as all risks and potential benefits. Visit our page on jaw surgery, or even better, call our office today for a consultation to discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with Dr. Rosenfeld. Bring your list of questions, we are here to answer them all!