Appel Orthodontics in Philidelphia
An overbite refers to when your top row of teeth overlap your lower row of teeth. This not only takes a toll on our patients self-confidence, they can cause a variety of oral health problems and some patients complain about difficulty when chewing. Overbites can also cause a lot of strain on your jaw and muscles. If you have any of these problems, Appel Orthodontics offers solutions including:
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Let’s Talk About Overbites
How is an Overbite Caused?
Commonly, overbites are caused by the size and shape of your jaw. Some habits in infants and children can cause an overbite because the tongu pushes the back of the teeh. Overbite causeing habits include relentless pacifier use, bottle overuse, and thumb sucking. As children get older, other chronic habits can cause an overbite such as: nail-biting, pencil chewing, and teeth grinding. Additional reasons for an overbite can be genetics or Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ).
What happens if I don't treat my overbite?
Treating an overbite isn’t purely aesthetic. If you don’t treat you overbite, it can cause health complications. Common complications are jaw pain, TMJ, and tooth damage. Overtime, overbites can create issues with decaying teeth, cavities, gum disease, and tooth enamel wear out. Additional complications can include
- Migraines
- Sleep apnea
- Trouble or pain eating
- Inability to fully open or close mouth
- Difficulty speaking
How do I know if I have an overbite?
Proper diagnosis of an overbite should be done by an oral health professional. At Appel Orthodontics, we can help with that! Our orthodontic team has a lot of experience with overbites.