Your smile is your most powerful accessory. You can crack the toughest nut by merely flashing your pearly whites. But not everyone is blessed with a flawless set of teeth. Some may have an underbite, which can make you shy away from smiling and result in confidence issues. Want to know more about this dental condition? Read on for the lowdown.
What is an underbite?
Dental professionals classify an underbite as a class III malocclusion. In a typical bite, your upper front teeth should extend slightly beyond your lower front teeth. But in this case, your lower teeth appear to close in on your upper teeth, creating a misalignment. While you can possibly observe this when facing the mirror, only your dentist can provide a definitive diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.
To know if you have some type of dental misalignment, take this online smile assessment now.
Causes of an underbite
Understanding the causes of an underbite can guide you towards the right treatment. According to research from the Cochrane Library, underbites may occur when the upper jaw is too far back, the lower jaw too far forward, or both. “Prominent lower front teeth can also occur if the upper front teeth (incisors) are tipped back or the lower front teeth are tipped forwards, or both.”
The Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO) highlights several potential causes of this dental condition:
Genetics
“The primary cause is genetics, as most people inherit their underbite from their family.” If you’re trying to trace the origin of your misalignment, check if your parents, siblings, or other relatives have it. In these cases, prevention may not be possible, making treatment the best course of action.
Injury or trauma
Facial trauma or injuries can also lead to underbite teeth. Accidents, falls, and even physical altercations can cause lasting jaw damage. If treatments to heal the jaw are unsuccessful, an underbite may develop.
Tumours
Tumour growths can cause the jaw to shift or misalign, leading to an underbite. Prompt medical attention is necessary for such cases.
Childhood habits
Certain childhood habits, such as chronic thumb-sucking or prolonged use of pacifiers and feeding bottles, can lead to jaw misalignment. These habits put pressure on the gums and teeth, causing changes in jaw shape.
Do wisdom teeth lead to underbites?
Contrary to popular belief, wisdom teeth do not cause underbites, clarifies the ASO. Underbites may worsen around the time wisdom teeth erupt, but the two issues are not directly related.
Underbite treatment options
Your dentist can prescribe the most suitable treatment plan for addressing your underbite. They can recommend one or more of the following options depending on the severity of your condition:
- Orthodontic devices: For milder cases, your dentist might suggest orthodontic solutions like braces and aligners. These work by applying pressure to shift teeth into proper alignment.
- Tooth extraction: This procedure is also an option for mild to moderate cases. Extracting certain teeth may help achieve proper dental and jaw alignment.
- Upper jaw expanders: This treatment is recommended if your upper jaw is narrow. The expander is fitted across the palate, widening the jaw gradually until the lower and upper rows of teeth match.
- Headgears: For children under 10, facemask therapy or a reverse-pull headgear may be necessary to pull the upper jaw forward.
- Surgery: Severe underbite cases may require surgery to realign the upper and lower jaws.
Fixing underbite teeth with aligners
If you want something more discreet than traditional orthodontic appliances, consider ClearCorrect aligners. This option provides maximum comfort without compromising effective malocclusion treatment.
ClearCorrect aligners are completely removable, nearly invisible, and customised for a seamless fit. They feature a proprietary three-layer ClearQuartz material and a high, flat, unscalloped trimline that ensures precise and gentle tooth movements. Additionally, ClearCorrect has been proven to be more stain-resistant than the leading aligner brand.
How an underbite can affect your health
The Journal of Orthodontics emphasises how underbite teeth can come with a host of other issues. The study identified the consequences of malocclusion on overall quality of life. Yes, an underbite can take a toll on daily activities like chewing, sleeping, and overall well-being.
How an underbite can impact your self-esteem
The hard truth is that a significant portion of your self-esteem comes from your appearance. Unfortunately, an underbite can make your face look disproportioned, giving you an imbalanced smile.
The misalignment can also cause the mouth to droop. This will, of course, attract unwanted attention and chip at your confidence. It might even become an obstacle in effective communication, as your lack of self-worth can hamper how you relate to others.
Celebrities with an underbite
To visualise an underbite, consider these celebrities who are known to have one:
- Amy Poehler: The comedian and actress sports a slight underbite and is unashamed of it.
- Reese Witherspoon: The highest-paid actress of 2019 is a celebrity with an underbite that audiences can’t easily detect – thanks to her innate charm.
- Woody Harrelson: Woody Harrelson’s underbite is seen as plain as day in some of his films. In The Hunger Games and Zombieland, his mischievous grin makes the perfect match for his characters.
- Seth Rogen: The Hollywood comedian showcases his underbite in his films, like Superbad and The Interview.
Indeed, an underbite can affect your self-esteem. But remember that your teeth are unique, so it’s important to avoid the comparison game. Instead, work with your dentist to get the best version of your smile. Before you know it, you’ll be jumping at the first chance to post that selfie.
References:
Ahmed, Z. N., Hussin, A. M., Alanazi, A. F., Alhuraish, A. M., Abomelha, S. A., Tulbah, T. H., Alshahrani, A. A., Alotaibi, A., Alkheshail, W. A., Almalki, W. K., Alshaikh, W. S., & Aldossari, A. M. (2021). Etiology of thumb sucking habit and its effect on developing malocclusion. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health.
Amy Poehler: I frightened small children. (2011, March 17). CBS News.
Cakan, D. G. (2012, July 1). The genetic basis of facial skeletal characteristics and its relation with orthodontics. PubMed Central (PMC).
Dehesa-Santos, A., Iber-Díaz, P., & Iglesias-Linares, A. (2021). Genetic factors contributing to skeletal class III malocclusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Oral Investigations, 25(4), 1587–1612.
Leck, R., Paul, N., Rolland, S., & Birnie, D. (2021). The consequences of living with a severe malocclusion: A review of the literature. Journal of Orthodontics, 49(2), 228–239.
Park, I.-P., Heo, S.-J., & Kim, S.-K. (2010). Post traumatic malocclusion and its prosthetic treatment. The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics, 88–91(2(3)), 21165275.
Zere, E., Chaudhari, P. K., Sharan, J., Dhingra, K., & Tiwari, N. (2018). Developing Class III malocclusions: challenges and solutions. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry, Volume 10, 99–116.
