Can You Fix An Underbite Without Surgery?
Posted on: 30 December 2020
If you have an underbite, meaning that your upper jaw sits behind your lower jaw, then you may have heard that correcting this issue would require extensive jaw surgery. The idea of undergoing surgery is, of course, a bit scary. Here's some good news: there may be other options. While the most severe underbites can typically only be corrected surgically, mild to moderate underbites can often be treated or managed by a cosmetic dentist. Here are the two main options a cosmetic dentist may explore with you.
Invisible Aligners
Braces can sometimes be used to correct an underbite, but they have a lot of downsides. They are obviously visible on the teeth, you have to get them tightened every few weeks, and the brackets can rub on your cheeks. In most cases, invisible aligners can be just as effective as braces for patients with underbites.
Your cosmetic dentist can take a mold of your teeth and have a set of aligners made for you. You will take the aligners home and wear them for a few weeks before getting a new set. The aligners will slowly push your front teeth forward and your bottom teeth back. They won't move your jaw, but they will move your teeth enough so that they line up better and make your underbite a lot less obvious. You remove the aligners to eat and brush your teeth, so your daily habits won't have to change much. Most people have to wear them for about a year.
Veneers
If you have a minor underbite, or if invisible aligners do not fully correct your underbite, then your cosmetic dentist may recommend veneers for your top teeth. Veneers are caps made from porcelain. They are cemented to the front of your teeth. When used to camouflage an underbite, the veneers are usually made to be quite thick, so they make it look like your front teeth protrude a little further than they really do.
People often think of veneers as the bright, white, false teeth that celebrities often have. But you can have them made a more natural shade to match your real teeth. It might take you a few days to get used to eating with them, but once you do, you'll be able to comfortably eat pretty much anything other than the crunchiest foods.
Some underbites can only be corrected with surgery, but don't automatically assume you are in this camp. Talk to a cosmetic dentist about the non-surgical options above.
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