Brief overview
- Typical symptoms: An overbite that requires treatment can be recognized by the fact that the upper front teeth protrude significantly beyond the lower front teeth. The overbite may affect chewing, pronunciation, and facial appearance.
- Causes: Overbites can be hereditary or caused by habits such as thumb or pacifier sucking, due to tooth loss or differences in jaw growth.
- Treatment: Treatment varies depending on the severity and age of the individual. Orthodontic measures such as braces, removable appliances, functional appliances and tooth extraction are possible. In severe cases, oral surgery is sometimes necessary.
- Examination: The diagnosis of an overbite takes place in a dental office. It includes a thorough history, clinical examination, photographic images, x-rays, and dental impressions.
- Prognosis: The prognosis depends on several factors: the severity of the malocclusion, the age (children, adolescents or adults), the treatment method chosen and how consistently the affected person implements the therapy and wears removable braces, for example. Timely and appropriate treatment improves the prognosis and reduces the risk of complications.
Overbite: Description
In an overbite that requires treatment, the upper front teeth protrude too far beyond the lower front teeth. This malocclusion can occur when the relationship between the upper and lower jaws is not correct: Either the upper jaw is overdeveloped compared to the lower jaw, or the lower jaw is too weakly developed. Sometimes the upper teeth have also grown too far forward in relation to the lower teeth. In dentistry, an overbite is also referred to as an “Angle Class II” or “Distal Bite”.
The Angle Classification is a classification system that is used to record tooth and jaw malocclusions. Angle class I describes the inconspicuous neutral bite, when the upper and lower teeth bite correctly into each other.
There are two main types of overbite: In an overjet, the upper incisors are too far forward. This means that the horizontal gap between the upper and lower front teeth is treated. In an overbite, the upper incisors cover the lower teeth too much. In this case, the vertical position of the upper and lower teeth in relation to each other is treated. This is also referred to as a deep bite.
Overbite: Treatment
One treats the overbite in order to correct tooth and jaw misalignments and to avoid possible complications. Depending on the severity of the overbite and the age of the patient, different treatment methods are available:
Orthodontic treatment: most commonly, overbite is treated with braces. They exert targeted pressure on the teeth and gradually bring them into the correct position.
Removable appliances: In some cases, removable orthodontic appliances are used to bring the teeth into the desired position. A common example is “aligners,” which are clear splints that sit on the teeth.
Functional appliances: appliances such as a twin-block appliance or a bionator influence the growth and position of the jaw and thus correct the overbite. They are particularly suitable for children and adolescents who are still growing.
Tooth extraction: if the jaw is too small or the teeth are too crowded, it is sometimes necessary to extract a tooth or even several teeth to correct the overbite.
Jaw surgery: In adults or in severe cases, jaw surgery is sometimes necessary. The surgeon repositions the jaw in surgery to correct the misalignment.
Overbite: Symptoms
An overbite has many possible effects. The following symptoms are typical of the malocclusion and show what consequences an overbite can have. If the overbite is not treated, numerous complications can arise.
Noticeable tooth position: The upper incisors overlap the lower incisors to a noticeable degree. This overbite can be seen clearly.
Difficulty chewing: An overbite interferes with the teeth meeting correctly when chewing, causing difficulty or pain.
Problems with pronunciation: In some cases, an overbite interferes with the correct pronunciation of words or causes sound formation disorders, such as lisping.
Damage to teeth and gums: An untreated overbite sometimes causes the lower incisors to hit the gums directly behind the upper incisors, causing injury or gum recession.
Gum and bone problems: an overbite causes severe pressure on the gums and jawbone. This can lead to gum disease or bone loss.
Tooth wear and decay: The uneven pressure on the teeth often leads to increased wear and a higher risk of tooth decay.
Appearance: An overbite affects the appearance of the face. Affected people are dissatisfied with their own appearance, which affects self-confidence and quality of life.
Overbite: Causes and risk factors
An overbite occurs due to a combination of inherited (genetic) and acquired factors. The main causes are:
Genetics: heredity plays a significant role in the development of an overbite because the size and shape of the jaw bones and teeth are genetically determined. If a parent has an overbite, a child is more likely to develop such a deformity as well.
Habits: Certain habits, called “habits,” in early childhood contribute to the development of an overbite, such as prolonged sucking of the thumb, pacifier or bottle. These habits put pressure on the growing teeth and jaw, causing misalignment.
Tongue thrusting: When the tongue pushes against the front teeth when swallowing or speaking, it puts permanent pressure on the teeth. This causes them to shift forward.
Poor dental hygiene: poor oral hygiene, irregular dental checkups and inadequate orthodontic care can also cause teeth to shift or space out. This contributes to the development of malocclusions.
Different jaw growth: If the jaws grow at different rates, an overbite occurs when the upper jaw protrudes further than the lower jaw.
Overbite: Examination and diagnosis
The diagnosis of an overbite begins with a thorough examination. In a dental or orthodontic office, the condition of the teeth, gums and jaw are evaluated. The diagnostic process involves several steps:
Medical history: the dentist or orthodontist gathers information about the patient’s medical and dental history, as well as possible risk factors and symptoms that may indicate an overbite.
Clinical examination: The teeth, gums and jaws are then examined to detect signs of overbite or other dental malocclusion. This involves checking the occlusion, how the upper and lower teeth meet, and measuring the degree of overbite.
Photographs: Photographs can be used to document the course of treatment. They allow a more accurate assessment of the aesthetic effects of the overbite. The face is photographed with a neutral and smiling expression.
Dental impressions: With the help of impressions, an accurate three-dimensional model of the tooth position is obtained. This model helps to plan the appropriate treatment to correct the overbite.
The collected data is analyzed to create an individual treatment plan. In this way, it is possible to correct the overbite and avoid complications later on.
Overbite: course and prognosis
The prognosis depends on several factors: the severity of the malocclusion, the age of the affected person and the treatment method. In general, results improve when overbite treatment begins early and the patient works closely with the dentist or orthodontist. If an overbite is treated in a timely and professional manner, the malocclusion can be successfully corrected. This helps to improve function, esthetics and general well-being in children and adults.
Severity: Mild overbite cases can be treated in a shorter time and with less complex methods. For more pronounced malocclusions, a longer treatment period must be expected because the correction is more complex.
Treatment method: The selected therapy influences the prognosis. An individual and professionally performed treatment successfully corrects the overbite and reduces the risk of complications.
Compliance: Compliance or adherence refers to the willingness of patients to follow the doctor’s instructions. Consistent wearing of braces or removable appliances plays a decisive role in the course of treatment. Good cooperation between patient and doctor increases the chances of success.
Aftercare: If the overbite has been successfully corrected, this is checked at follow-up appointments. Sometimes a so-called retainer is bonded to the inside of the teeth. This is a thin metal wire that prevents the teeth from shifting again, for example, when braces no longer need to be worn. In this way, the results can be maintained permanently.
