Straightening misaligned teeth is one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures people have for improving their smiles. However, cosmetic improvement is not the only reason to correct dental conditions such as a deep bite. Fixing a deep bite can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime and positively impact your overall health.
Schedule an appointment with Trident General Dentistry to discuss orthodontic and other cosmetic dentistry options to give you a smile you have always wanted.
What Is A Deep Bite?
You have a deep bite or overbite if your upper front teeth protrude excessively beyond your bottom front teeth when your back teeth are closed together. This tooth misalignment does not always pose an esthetic problem. However, you may need to fix a deep bite to correct other problems associated with this condition.
What Causes A Deep Bite?
While you may have a deep bite due to heredity or several other reasons, this dental condition has three primary causes. The first is a lower jaw that is shorter than the upper jaw. This most common reason results in the upper teeth being more forward than the lower ones, which often grow until they contact the roof of the mouth. The second reason for a deep bite is a missing lower tooth. The final reason is that you may have disproportionately strong biting muscles.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Deep Bite?
In addition to the classic appearance, overbite causes several other issues, including:
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Excessively worn enamel. When the lower and upper teeth do not meet adequately, it damages the biting edge of the bottom teeth. As this premature wearing down of enamel progresses, you can wear the tooth down to the softer part of your teeth, known as the dentin.
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Increased risk of tooth decay. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body and serves the vital function of protecting our teeth. When you have an overbite, you increase your risk of damaging this enamel and becoming more susceptible to tooth decay.
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Increased risk of gum disease or damage. You can lacerate and harm this delicate tissue when the lower teeth meet the gums behind the upper teeth. Misaligned teeth also make brushing and flossing more difficult, allowing plaque buildup, gum inflammation and eventually cause periodontal disease.
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Impaired chewing. How well your teeth bite together significantly affects your chewing efficiency, promoting healthy nutrition. A deep overbite makes the complete mastication of some foods challenging, impeding proper digestion.
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Breathing problems. A severe deep bite can potentially cause serious problems such as sleep apnea. Another complication is mouth breathing which contributes to tooth decay, gum disease, and halitosis.
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TMJ disorder and jaw pain. When your teeth can not come together correctly, it strains the temporomandibular joint and jaw muscles. This results in jaw pain, headaches, and earaches.
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Speech difficulties. To speak clearly air needsd to move through your mouth in a particular way. A deep bite can prohibit this and cause speech problems such as lisping.
Can Invisible Braces Correct An Overbite?
Invisible braces such as ClearCorrect aligners can correct many of the same conditions as conventional metal braces. So while every case is different, in most overbite cases, you can choose the comfort and convenience of invisible braces.
Schedule an Appointment
Contact us to learn more about the reasons to fix your deep bite. Trident General Dentistry can help give you the smile you want using invisible braces.