Not all of us were lucky enough to develop a perfectly straight smile. There are various alignment issues that can develop and warrant orthodontic treatment. Fortunately, there are various treatment options available to improve the appearance and function of the teeth. Overbites are one of the most common reasons why people require braces. Here are some of the reasons why it is so important to correct overbites.
Improving Your Smile’s Function
The teeth play a major role when it comes to forming words and sounds. When your top teeth are significantly overlapping your bottom teeth, this can make it difficult to make key sounds. It can also make it more challenging to thoroughly chew your food, leading to indigestion and even malnutrition is severe cases. By correcting your alignment with braces or Invisalign, you can improve your ability to speak clearly and chew your favorite foods.
Preventing Enamel Erosion
When the teeth overlap too much, they can slide past each other in an unnatural way, resulting in enamel wear. While this isn’t the case for everyone who has an overbite, it’s important to note that enamel does not grow back! If this is the case for you, your teeth are put at increased risk of additional oral health issues, like tooth decay.
Preventing Gum Damage
In severe cases of overbite, the upper front teeth can bite down on the gumline of the lower front teeth. This wears away at the tissue, resulting in gum recession. Damaged gums will not grow back, so this can put you at an increased risk of gum disease and even tooth loss. If you have a severe overbite, it’s best to treat it sooner rather than later.
Reducing Pressure on Your Jaw
Misaligned teeth put excessive pressure on the jaw joints, leading to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). TMD causes frequent headaches, jaw pain, and even lockjaw. In many cases, treating the overbite can help to relieve the patient from TMD-related discomfort.
Reducing Your Risk of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which breathing repetitively stops during sleep, preventing one from getting the important rest they need to thrive during the day. People with overbites are more likely to develop sleep apnea – especially for those who have smaller mouths. By having your overbite fixed, you may see improvement in your quality of sleep.
In addition to boosting your confidence, correcting your overbite can benefit you in various ways. If you are interested in orthodontic treatment, schedule a consultation. This way, a plan can be created to meet your needs and straighten your smile!
About the Practice
At Wigal Orthodontics, Dr. Timothy G. Wigal and Dr. Alex Kluemper work together to treat patients in the Columbus area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. If you have an overbite and are interested in orthodontic treatment, they would be happy to help! For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit their website or call (740) 281-0445.