Alert Bar

COVID-19 Information - CLICK HERE
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Arkansas Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons

Header Middle

Creating beautiful faces and exceptional smile. Dr. Aaron Baldwin, Dr. Daron Praetzel
  • 501-263-2807
  • Request Appointment
  • About Us
  • Procedures
    • Dental Implants
    • Wisdom Teeth
    • Oral Cancer Treatment
    • Cosmetic Facial Surgery
    • Bone Grafting
    • Corrective Jaw Surgery
    • Non-Invasive Plastic Surgery
      • Lip Injections
      • Botox
      • Dermal Fillers
  • Surgical Instructions
    • Post-Operative Instructions
      • Wisdom Teeth & Surgical Extractions
      • Dental Implants
      • All-On-4
      • Sinus Precautions
      • Biopsy
      • Blepharoplasty
      • Closed Reduction Nasal Fracture
      • Jaw Fracture Patients
      • Orbital Fracture Repair Surgery
    • Pre-Operative Instruction
  • Patients
    • New Patient Registration
    • Online Referral Form
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Schedule an Appointment
  • Blog

February 5, 2019

Important Things You Need to Know About Correcting Underbites & Overbites

An overbite or underbite can be quite a cosmetic disaster. Even though we value aesthetics tremendously, aesthetics are not the only impact that an overbite or underbite can have on a person.

Over time, the overbite or underbite can have long-lasting dental ramifications, as well as effects on adjacent jaw structures and function. Outside of dental repercussions on the jaw structures, there can also be psychological consequences, that go along with having a severe overbite or underbite.

What are the Effects of an Overbite or Underbite?

The most apparent effects of an overbite or underbite, outside of aesthetics, are usually seen in dental side effects. These effects include soft tissue trauma, lack of space between the teeth, and tooth wear. While in minor cases of overbite and underbite, these dental effects are sometimes unnoticeable, however, when the bite discrepancy is more severe, the effects can be more pronounced. The more pronounced the discrepancy, the more pronounced the effects can be. These dental side effects are due to the excessive overlap of the upper and lower incisors and are not seen in a dentition that bites as a normal dentition would. Although these effects may seem small to the everyday person, over a long period of time, they can have very detrimental effects. The lesser known effects of an overbite or underbite can be quite damaging. These include chronic jaw joint (TMJ) pain, chronic mouth breathing, and even cases of sleep apnea.

How is an Overbite or Underbite Fixed?

Some of these discrepancies can be fixed with orthodontics, or braces, alone. In fact, most cases of malalignment can be fixed with orthodontics. In other, more serious cases, a more advanced approach to the situation should be taken. In these situations, surgical intervention may need to be made. This surgery is called orthognathic surgery.

If surgical intervention is needed, there is a multi-specialty approach. This approach will include your orthodontist, your oral surgeon, and on many occasions, your general dentist. The first step in treatment on how to fix an underbite or overbite will be to get your teeth in the proper position for the surgery by using braces. This is where your orthodontist and your oral surgeon will plan your treatment together to get your teeth in the exact position desired.

Once your orthodontist has your teeth in the exact position desired for surgery, the surgical team can plan the surgery for movement of the jaws. In some surgeries, only one jaw will be moved. In other surgeries, both of your jaws will need to be moved. This depends on the magnitude of the discrepancy that needs to be fixed.

Once the jaw is moved, it will need to be secured into place with screws or plates, and in some cases, the jaws may need to be wired shut for a period of time.

What Happens After the Surgery?

After your surgery is completed, you will have a period of healing, as with any other surgery. Your discomfort will be managed appropriately, depending on the exact type of surgery you have performed. This will be much like any other surgical procedure that you may have had in the past. Your discomfort and swelling will be managed with anti-inflammatories, analgesics, and potentially narcotics. In addition to this, you may also have to use ice, stick to a soft diet, refrain from tobacco, and various other particulars as directed by your surgeon.

After this healing period, and you have post-operative appointments with your oral surgeon, you will be cleared to go back to your orthodontist. The orthodontist, at this point, will then continue moving your teeth into their final positions. Depending on the severity of your case, this could take as little as a few months, but expect for this treatment time to last much longer if necessary.

What Happens After Orthodontics?

Once your orthodontist determines that you are finished with the movement of the teeth, he or she will determine if you need to be in retention. Retention is what we all know as retainers. Retainers may be permanently attached to your teeth or removable ones that you wear only at certain times, such as at night.

Sometimes, the combined work of the oral surgeon and the orthodontist just aren’t quite enough to get your smile perfect. This is when you will be referred back to your restorative, or general, dentist. Your general dentist may use veneers, crowns, or fillings to make your smile perfect. You have gone through this much already, you might as well cross the finish line!

If you think you may be a candidate for corrective jaw surgery, or have already been told that you need corrective jaw surgery, you may not know where to go next. Do you go to your orthodontist? Do you go to your general dentist? Do you go to an oral surgeon? It depends on who told you that you need the surgery. If you are confused about where to turn next, we can help you at Arkansas Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. One does well what one does often, and we do this often!

Category: Oral Surgery

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Request an Appointment

Scheduling an appointment is the first step towards a happier and healthier you!

Request Appointment

Search

Recent Posts

  • Why You Should Go To Your Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon for Botox & Fillers
  • My Teeth Don’t Touch When I Bite. Can This Be Treated?
  • Top 6 Benefits of Dental Implants
  • What Procedures are Considered a Cosmetic Maxillofacial Surgery?
  • Important Information Regarding COVID-19

Categories

  • Cosmetic Surgery
  • Dental Implants
  • Oral Surgery
  • Questions to ask your cosmetic surgeon
  • Smile
  • Treatment
  • Uncategorized
  • Updates
  • Wisdom Teeth

Footer

Arkansas Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeons

200 McAuley Ct
Hot Springs, AR 71913
501-263-2807

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Home
  • About
  • Procedures
  • Patients
  • Blog
  • Contact

Copyright © 2021 Arkansas Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. All Rights Reserved.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.