An overbite or sometimes called Class II malocclusion is a type of malocclusion where your upper arch protrudes more than usual. More technically, when your upper canine doesn't sit behind your lower canine.
An overbite needs to be corrected, because not only will your teeth and bones suffer, but TMJD (temporomandibular joint disorder) symptoms are also moderate to severe in such cases.
The most common TMJD symptoms in a patient with an overbite are joint clicking, migraine, snoring, difficulty in breathing and neck pain. And should be treated as early as it is detected; ideally at an early stage in life at around 6 years old when permanent teeth start showing while the bone is still actively growing. But this doesn't mean that you can't get it treated at a later age, bone can expand at any stage in life but usually slower after a growth spurt.
Just like any treatment, it is easier, cheaper and more comfortable for the patient to have an overbite case get treated before symptoms appear or are severe. When this gets treated at a later stage in life, it will require longer and more treatments. At a young age, an appliance to guide bone and teeth to grow the right way are enough. As we grow older, more appliances, braces and possibly veneers will be needed to correct the overbite with its damage to the teeth and relieve the symptoms.
Most patients that we handle are older patients already because of a lack of available information about overbite, and this should not discourage patients to get treated because with the new technology and studies there is now, almost anything is possible and available. A dental extraction is even not necessary. The best that patients can do is to get a consultation with a TMJ specialist.
Visit Dr. Rafaelle Dental Clinic (DRDC) to check how your TMJ is doing. DRDC specializes in TMJD treatments and Orthodontics.
I hope you learned a lot from this and enjoyed this as much as I did working on the case and writing this blog. I try to make the explanation as simple as I could for the general public to appreciate and understand. If there are certain areas that still confuse you or you want a deeper understanding, you may email me at dr.rafaelle@gmail.com. If you have questions regarding your personal case, I am more than happy to give you a consultation. Just book an appointment with us via email, SMS/WhatsApp/Viber (+639778130101), or through this link: Book an Appointment.
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