Is Your Child Suffering With An Overbite? Understanding And Treating This Common Dental Condition
From discoloration and a gapped smile to crooked teeth, the various dental issues your child may face can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many of these issues are common and easy to treat. However, certain problems may seem alarming due to their unappealing appearance. Considering overbites are common in children, understanding this dental concern is key to your child's smile. Using this guide, you will understand how overbites occur and learn the best treatment options for your child.
Understanding Overbites
While surprising to learn, overbites can occur in two different ways. The condition is commonly associated with the top teeth overlapping over the bottom, which is known as a vertical overbite. In a horizontal overbite, the top teeth will protrude.
Both types of overbites can decrease the appeal of your child's smile and potentially cause damage to surrounding teeth and gums, resulting in future dental problems and discomfort.
Issues with your child's bite will most likely stem from underlying developmental issues, so schedule an orthodontic consultation early. For most children, treatment can begin as early as 7 years old.
Overbite Repair
Orthodontists will most likely attempt to repair your child's overbite in two phases. Of course, each child is different, so a thorough dental and orthodontic evaluation will be necessary.
A fixed or removable expander may be an option for creating space in the mouth for further development of your child's teeth. Fitted to your child's teeth to rest on the roof of their mouth, the palatal expander moves the teeth gradually by turning a special key each day. Although it may not seem pleasant, the palatal expander does not cause your child any pain or discomfort while in place.
Phase two of treating your child's overbite will involve the use of braces. Traditional metal braces or orthodontic aligners are used to move the teeth into a more aligned position. The amount of time this phase takes varies according to your child's age and the severity of their overbite.
Waiting it Out?
As a parent, you may question the use of orthodontic treatments to correct your child's overbite. Considering overbites will not correct themselves and only continue to cause discomfort and further dental problems, early intervention is smart.
In addition, 15 percent of bite misalignments handicap your child, resulting in difficulty chewing and speaking. Due to this possibility, it is best to treat your child's overbite early.
Overbites may be common, but your child does not have to suffer with the decreased appeal, lower self-esteem, and possible dental damage. Using this guide and the help of your orthodontist (like those at Braces Inc.), you can repair your child's overbite in an effective manner.
