Is it Bad to Have an Overbite?
While many people live with an overbite, it is considered a dental condition that should be treated by a dentist. An overbite is when your top teeth extend beyond your bottom teeth. There are many degrees of overbites, with varying severity. When you have an overbite, the upper teeth are positioned forward in the mouth. In the case of overbite, the upper incisors grow faster than the lower ones and block bone growth in the jaw resulting in tooth offset and overlap. In the most severe cases, the lower part of the face is found reduced compared to the upper part. Essentially, there is an alteration in the relationship of the upper teeth to the lower ones.
There are different types of this condition:
- Horizontal: There is a larger space than usual between the edge of the upper incisors with the external (buccal) aspect of the lower incisors. When it comes to biting, the upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth by more than 2 millimeters, which is the usual horizontal distance. Thus, the upper ones are advanced in relation to the lower ones.
- Vertical: Also called a deep bite, this occurs when, during the bite, the upper incisors cover more than 40% of the lower incisors. If the distance between the edge of the upper teeth and that of the lower teeth is more than 2 millimeters, you are already facing this alteration.
- Mixed: it is a combination of the previous two. The upper incisors are advanced and overlap the lower teeth too much.
Unfortunately, having an overbite can cause a number of symptoms that can get worse with age.
The consequences of an overbite
The presence of an overbite doesn't just affect the aesthetics of the patient. It also affects other functions of the mouth causing various problems:
Speech disorders: Overbite makes it difficult to pronounce phonemes involving the upper incisors and lips.
Respiratory problems linked to the origin of this malocclusion.
Difficulty biting, chewing and eating properly.
Damage to other teeth: enamel wear, increased risk of tooth decay, gingivitis and dental fractures.
Change in appearance of the face.
Pain in the temporomandibular joint, head and neck.
What are the causes of overbite?
The inappropriate relationship of upper teeth with lower teeth can be due to different reasons. The most common are listed below.
Genetics and heredity:
There are cases of hereditary overbite. Usually, the disease occurs in several members of the same family who are born with a small jaw or a very large upper jaw.
Personal habits:
Certain repetitive and non-functional habits in children can influence the development and growth of their bones and the position of their teeth. The following habits may give rise to an overbite:
- Finger sucking: These repetitive movements and the pressure generated by the finger can lead to abnormal development of the palate and movements of the teeth positioned at the wrong angle.
- Pacifier Use: This is another type of non-nutritive sucking habit that can cause overbite problems. Its prolonged use, after 2 years, causes alterations.
- Tongue thrust: The pressure of the tongue against the dental elements pushes it forward. Although this habit usually causes another type of malocclusion called an open bite, it also causes an overbite. The origin of this habit lies in anatomical changes, such as swollen adenoids or tonsillitis, difficulty swallowing properly, stress and problems sleeping.
Dental malposition
A lack of teeth, too many teeth, a blocked element, a lot of space between the teeth, or dental crowding can cause the remaining parts to move. This can affect the correct position of the incisors, causing the overbite.
Tumors and cysts
The presence of a cyst or tumor in the bone changes the position of the teeth, altering their correct alignment. The existence of a lump or growth of hard or soft tissue in the upper part of the mouth can move the incisors forward, causing an overbite.