As your child’s mouth develops, many factors can influence how teeth come in, how the jaw settles, and how straight their bite pattern will be. In some cases, orthodontic issues like underbites are present. This can be both uncomfortable for your child and impact how they learn to speak and eat, in severe cases. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment and oral surgery are both options that can help. Here are a few things you should know.

A Guide to Underbites

What Are They?

An underbite is when the lower jaw projects forward further than the top plate, leaving the lower teeth to extend in front of the upper teeth. The severity can vary — in mild cases, the two rows of teeth almost meet. In some situations, the teeth don’t meet at all due to the wide gap. Regardless, it’s an issue that can generate mouth and facial pain and affect appearance, impacting your child’s self-confidence.

What Are the Causes?

The most common cause of underbites is genetics, because you inherit certain aspects of a parent’s facial structure, tooth shape, and jaw placement. Issues like a cleft lip or palate may lead to underbites, so if you or a loved one has had one, your child should see an oral surgeon for a consultation. Certain habits in early childhood, such as thumbsucking, putting pressure on the teeth with the tongue, and pacifier use, can all contribute to an underbite, and serious damage to the jaw after an injury may also cause jaw misalignment.

How Is It Treated?

Orthodontic treatment at an early age can help in some cases, as it takes advantage of the fact that a child’s jaw is still growing. Common treatments include braces, an upper jaw expander, or headgear that pulls the upper jaw into the right position. The oral surgeon may also shave down the teeth projecting from the lower jaw so they fit behind the upper teeth. In more severe cases, corrective oral surgery may be needed once the child is a bit older. However, if you took advantage of interceptive orthodontics, the surgical procedure may be shorter and less involved. 

If an underbite is affecting you or your child’s quality of life, turn to the compassionate team at Oral Surgery Associates of Central Georgia. For 20 years, they’ve helped residents of Warner Robins, GA, achieve healthy, beautiful smiles through oral surgery and other dental procedures. They offer services ranging from TMJ treatment to dental implants, wisdom tooth removal, and corrective jaw surgery. Visit their website to learn more about these and other offerings, or call (478) 971-8811 to schedule a consultation for oral surgery today.