An overbite is more common than most people may think. It’s also one of the most recognizable dental issues that require expert and immediate orthodontic treatment. While a minor overbite may not cause significant health issues, the last thing you want to do is leave a severe overbite uncorrected for too long. This is because it can easily lead to some pain or difficulty when chewing. How Long Does It Take To Fix An Overbite? is our topic today.
Some overbites can also make people anxious and unwilling to smile, making it vital to treat it sooner rather than later. If you’re wondering how long it takes to fix an overbite, this article provides all the necessary information.
What’s an overbite?
An overbite happens when your top jaw and teeth overlap with the lower ones. It can also appear in two ways, vertical or horizontal. With a horizontal overbite, your principal or upper jaw protrudes over your lower teeth. And with the vertical type, the upper teeth overlap the bottom one.
Unfortunately some people can show signs of both vertical and horizontal overbite. You can also identify an overbite as either dental or skeletal. The teeth are in the wrong position with the former, but with the latter, the shape of the entire jaw is the problem. How long it will take to fix an overbite will depend on how severe your case is.
When should you start treatment?
If you’re experiencing an overbite, don’t hesitate to get the help you need as soon as possible. Ideally, the earlier your dentist or orthodontist starts treatment, the better. That is particularly important if your situation is causing some significant discomfort or pain. For instance, if you resort to clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth because of an overbite, don’t be surprised if you end up damaging your teeth. Sometimes having an overbite could mean struggling to clean your teeth as needed. You’ll likely experience tooth decay, gum diseases, and other dental issues. There’s also the inconvenience of regular headaches, jaw pain, and even migraines getting in the way of your everyday life.
How long will it take to fix an overbite?
As mentioned earlier, how severe your case is will determine how long treatment may take. But that’s not all; the treatment type is also essential.
The most common correction methods for an overbite are traditional braces, clear aligners, and surgery if your case is severe. But the great news is that regardless of your case, you can get the treatment you need to restore your natural chewing pattern and make your life much easier.
When using traditional braces to fix an overbite, your treatment period may last for as long as you wear the braces, which may be for at least two years. If your dentist recommends using clear aligners, you can expect the treatment period to last an average of 12 months, although you can do a few things to shorten that time.
If your case concerns your jaw position, your dentist may recommend surgery. In this case, you can expect your recovery period to take anywhere between six and eight weeks.
