How to fix overbite: What should a correct bite look like?

A correct bite, i.e. a first-class bite, should, inter alia, be characterized by the fact that the upper jaw overlaps the lower one by about 2-3 mm. However, not everyone can boast of such a perfect bite. Occasionally, there are malocclusions, such as undershot or overshot teeth, which require treatment in order to function normally: eat, speak or breathe with the nose.

What does a normal human bite look like?

Some people receive it as a gift from nature, others have to work hard to get it. I am talking about a beautiful, healthy smile, from which white, even teeth emerge. At first glance, you can usually assess whether someone needs orthodontic treatment. Sometimes, however, such an assessment requires a thorough eye of the dentist. If we are comfortable with eating, speaking, nasal breathing and other physiological processes in which we use the bite, it is most likely normal .

A specialist, i.e. a dentist or orthodontist, when assessing the correctness of the patient’s bite, takes into account whether the upper jaw overlaps the lower one from the front by a distance of 2-3 mm, whether the upper and lower teeth are in contact with each other and whether the upper teeth overlap the gap between the two lower teeth. (the exceptions are the upper “ones”, which should coincide with the lower ones). It is also important that the upper jaw is wider than the lower one. The face profile is also assessed: preferably the nose should form an angle of about 90 degrees with the upper lip. The described case is the so-called first class.

What contributes to malocclusion?

Quite often you can meet with malocclusion caused, among others, by by:

• genetic conditions  – we simply inherit from our ancestors the appearance of the face, jaws, teeth alignment, etc.,
• improper habits , such as, for example, inadequate oral hygiene, poor diet, mouth breathing, finger sucking, long-term feeding of food through a bottle, etc.,
• diseases  (e.g. retrogenia, laterogenia, progenia),
• caries  (especially in children – milk teeth fall out or are removed by the dentist due to caries too quickly, and the jaw is not yet ready for permanent, large teeth),
• injury,
• certain medications
• avitaminosis.

What are the types of malocclusion?

There are several most common types of malocclusion .

1. Overshot bite – manifested by the protrusion of the lower jaw in front of the upper jaw.
2. Overshot bite – this is too much recession of the lower arch of the teeth in relation to the upper line of the teeth.
3. Deep bite – this defect consists in the significant overlap of the upper jaw with the lower one.
4. Open bite – in this case the jaws do not touch each other due to the space between the “top” and “bottom”.

Depending on the:

• the type of defect, 
• the cause that caused it, 
• patient’s age, 
• health condition,

an appropriate treatment method for such a defect is selected.

How to fix overbite: How is an incorrect bite of the teeth treated?

Treatment of an abnormal bite is tailored to the individual patient. The most frequently chosen method of treatment in the event of such a defect is  the installation of a fixed or removable orthodontic appliance . Before that, however, it is necessary to consult an orthodontist, take pictures of the oral cavity and the position of the teeth, and, very importantly, to heal all teeth. The appliance is not placed on the teeth if the treatment of the teeth has not been completed. Caries, periodontitis or inflammation preclude the installation of this device in the oral cavity. 

After completing the treatment, you should undergo the so-called retention, i.e. a special device should be worn for a period specified by the doctor, which maintains the effect of a correct bite.

Sometimes an orthodontic appliance may not be used. Then, surgical procedures are performed, as well as extraction (tooth extraction), filing of nodules, placing an elastic band on the mandible, etc.

How to prevent malocclusion?

It is clear that prevention is better than cure. If only because the treatment of malocclusion can be painful, long and laborious. 

So what should be done to reduce the risk of their appearance? First of all, take care of proper oral hygiene as well as healthy eating habits. Consuming a smaller portion of carbohydrates and empty sugars is absolutely justified here. 

In addition, from an early age, children should be sensitized not to suck on teats (or at least as short as possible), thumbs, bite their nails, not drink from bottles for too long, etc. Children should start offering solid products at the right time, not mushy gruel so that they can exercise their jaw apparatus.