Underbite + Braces?

[Geerod]

Hey all,

I'm 19 years old and I have an underbite that I'm wondering if braces can fix. My orthodontist immediately referred me to surgery after seeing it and I'm thinking about getting a second opinion because I've read that braces can fix mild underbites.

My underbite is basically more of an even-bite (if there was such a thing!). My bottom teeth are more or less right on my top teeth when I bite down. The reason I have the underbite is because I have a small upper jaw. Would an orthodontist be able to fix this without surgery?

Thanks (and I know that you can't know for sure without seeing my teeth but just in general can orthodontists fix mild underbites?)

[Anny]

I think you're right to get a second opinion. I'm sorry I don't have advice beyond that but good luck and keep up posted!

[Zoso]

Do by all means seek a second opinion.

But understand this - if you feel your upper jaw appears small, or that your chin appears large (by comparison with the upper jaw) then it is unlikely that braces alone will make a significant change to that aesthetic if the issue lies with the skeleton not the teeth.

When you have your consultations you should also ask about the predicted stability of the results - sometimes, whilst it is possible to get a good bite without surgery, the results might be less stable than had you gone the surgical route.

[mikeg]

In my personal experience, the bite can be corrected with braces alone... most likely you will get the palatal expander to help widen the upper jaw... Than with the use of elastics your bite is adjusted... It takes time, however I have seen a few cases now where the underbite was EDGE TO EDGE and fixed with braces.

with all that said, stability is a factor.. when you get the braces off, sometimes a relapse occurs that would not have occured with the surgery... so that is something to think about.. but find an ortho who has done these cases before and see what they think

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Each situation is different and it is best you seek an orthodontist in your area to take a look.

There are treatments that can correct "edge to edge" bites. It depends on the amount of discrepancy that is due to the position of your teeth and the amount due to the size and position of your jaws. In some cases, compensation treatment is possible whereby upper teeth can be proclined and lower teeth tilted inwards. Extraction of lower teeth is also possible to allow the bottom front teeth to be pulled in under the top ones.

Good luck!

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome Geerod!

Definitely have more than one consult and make sure you ask about the stability of your results with/without surgery.

I had an edge to edge bite, that became worse when my lower teeth were aligned. I had seen many ortho's over a number of years and had always been told my class III was dental, which means it doesn't need surgery. What I have learned is that, surgery would have reduced my treatment time considerably, although I still don't know if I would have chosen it for that reason ... as I never had to make that decision, I'll never know.

Where I work, we have many clients who have surgery and the results are mostly outstanding!

Good luck finding the right person and treatment for you!