How can you know that the bite is uneven? In fact, this is the name of all deviations from the norm that nature has established. Malocclusion is divided into the following categories:

• Distal - the upper jaw is pushed forward more than the lower.
• Mesial - the lower jaw is pushed forward more than the upper.
• Deep - the upper teeth overlap the lower ones by more than half of their length.
• Open - most of the teeth of the upper and lower jaws do not close.
• Cross - the left and right sides of the upper dentition protrude unevenly, and the upper and lower teeth are closed by cutting edges.

Why Should an Overbite Be Corrected?

Normally, when chewing, the load is evenly distributed on all teeth. In violation of the bite on some teeth, the load increases, while it is practically absent on others. On teeth that work for two, the enamel wears off faster, chips appear, and the teeth loosen. Such teeth are more vulnerable to tooth decay.

With an incorrect bite, the teeth can be tilted inward or, conversely, turned towards the lips. Eating or even everyday conversation can injure the inside of the cheeks and tongue. The gums also suffer –– the volume of tissues gradually decreases, exposing the roots of the teeth. There are other reasons to seek an uneven bite treatment, as shown below.

Diseases of the Temporomandibular Joint

Incorrect positioning of the incisors over time leads to displacement of the jaw joints towards each other. Pathology is accompanied by muscle spasms, bruxism, crunching, and clicking during eating or talking.

Diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract

The bite is responsible for chewing and swallowing, and its defects interfere with this process. Poorly chopped foods are an additional burden on the digestive tract, provoking gastritis, enterocolitis, and stool problems.

Breathing Problems and ENT Diseases

The accumulation of bacteria in the mouth with an open bite can provoke sinusitis, otitis, and tonsillitis.

Problems in Communication and Insecurities

For 60% of patients, braces are aesthetics. For the remaining 40%, it is either the functionality of the masticatory apparatus, a solution to a problem with the temporomandibular joint, or a preparatory stage before prosthetics.

In What Age Can an Overbite Be Corrected?

Previously, it was believed that the bite could only be changed at an early school age. But modern orthodontics has made this possible at any stage of life. The main thing that is needed is the motivation of the patient himself, patience, and willingness to comply with all the doctor's prescriptions.

What Are the Ways to Correct an Overbite?

If we are talking about correcting the bite in children, then up to the age of seven, it is recommended to use regular gymnastics and massages.

For children up to 10 years old, dentists can prescribe removable trainers. Designs set the teeth in the right direction, and wearing them for several hours a day is recommended. With more serious degrees of pathology, aligners, and retainers may be prescribed. Treatment with these methods can take up to two years.

For older children and adolescents, braces are used. As a rule, the term of wearing them is determined depending on the severity of the jaw anomaly. On average, alignment of the bite occurs in the period from 1 to 2.5 years.

In modern dentistry, a huge variety of braces differ in the material of manufacture, the method of attachment, and the presence of individual elements. The cheapest option is ordinary metal structures. More expensive and invisible are sapphire and ceramic braces.

Since braces are non-removable structures, they cannot be installed on baby teeth. This prerequisite excludes the possibility of use in childhood.