Fans of the HBO series “The White Lotus” became involved in a lively debate during season three, when English actress Aimee Lou Wood’s smile revealed a conspicuous overbite and unevenly shaped teeth. Those accustomed to the perfect Hollywood smile that’s the American standard criticized her for failing to conform, while others praised Wood for embracing her smile as nature made it.
Whichever side you took, there is one point on which dentists and orthodontists agree: an overbite can cause oral health issues that go beyond merely cosmetic. According to Touni Orthodontics, “Your teeth are designed to fit together comfortably. Your upper and lower jaws align to help you bite, chew, and talk with ease — but having a dental malocclusion, like an overbite, could change the way your mouth works and compromise your oral health.”
Causes of Overbites
An overbite is a common dental condition in which the upper teeth excessively overlap the lower teeth when the jaws are closed. As Cleveland Clinic notes, a small overbite is normal, but one in which the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth more than 2 to 4 millimeters may need correction.
Several factors can contribute to the development of an overbite, including the following provided by Mint Leaf Dentistry:
Genetics — Genetics play a significant role in determining your dental and facial structure. If one or both of your parents have an overbite, you are more likely to inherit this trait. It’s common for overbites to run in families.
Oral habits — Certain oral habits, particularly during childhood, can contribute to the development of an overbite. These habits include:
- Thumb-sucking and pacifier use past age 3, which can put pressure on the front teeth, pushing them forward.
- Prolonged bottle feeding, which can impact tooth alignment, thereby increasing the risk of an overbite.
- Habitual tongue thrusting — where the tongue pushes against the front teeth during swallowing or speaking — can contribute to the misalignment of the teeth and the development of an overbite.
Jaw problems — Issues related to jaw development can also play a role in overbite formation. The most common is a size discrepancy between the upper and lower jaws. When the upper jaw is larger than the lower jaw, an overbite can develop as the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth.
Untreated overbite — One of the most significant contributors to overbites is simply leaving them untreated. Over time, an untreated overbite can worsen, leading to more severe oral health issues — including tooth decay, gum disease and jaw problems.
Risks of an Uncorrected Overbite
As we just mentioned, leaving an overbite uncorrected can set you up for numerous oral health issues, including the following:
Poor mouth function — When the top front teeth overlap and cover the lower teeth too much, you could experience speech problems, mouth breathing and difficulty chewing.
Accelerated wear-and-tear on teeth — Although teeth do wear down to some degree over time, an overbite will accelerate the process because the upper teeth constantly grind against the lower teeth, creating constant pressure and friction. The protective enamel weakens and wears away, leaving your teeth more vulnerable to damage.
Enamel erosion and increased risk of decay — As enamel erosion progresses, your teeth lose their first line of defense against harmful bacteria, acids and plaque buildup. This puts you at an increased risk of decay, as cavities are more likely to develop when the enamel is compromised.
Increased tooth sensitivity — As more enamel erodes, the more sensitive to hot and cold foods your teeth become. Our blog post —“What You Need to Know About Tooth Sensitivity” — covers this topic in detail.
Increased risk of periodontal disease — An overbite can create conditions conducive to periodontal (gum) disease in several ways. The misalignment caused by the upper teeth overlapping the lower can make it difficult to clean between the teeth with a toothbrush or floss — thereby resulting in the accumulation of plaque, increasing the risk of gum inflammation and infection.
Moreover, the excessive pressure placed on some teeth due to an overbite can cause those teeth to press against the gums, damaging the tissue — which makes it more susceptible to infection. If left untreated, gum inflammation can progress to gum disease. As the condition worsens, the gums may recede, pockets can form between the teeth and gums, and the bone supporting the teeth can be affected. These developments are more likely in individuals with overbites due to the added stress on the gums and teeth.
Jaw pain, including temporomandibular (TMJ) disorder — Jaw and tooth misalignments can make you overcompensate when chewing and talking, eventually leading to facial pain. If you have a severe overbite, it could cause discomfort when biting or chewing, headaches, and even lead to jaw joint problems like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Our blog post — “What You Need to Know About TMJ Disorder” — covers this topic in detail.
Treatments for an Overbite
Orthodontic treatment is the typical course for correcting an overbite, as well as many other types of misalignment. Most types of orthodontic treatments work by using gentle pressure to slowly adjust the positioning of the teeth and jaw over time. Traditional metal braces and clear aligners are the most common types of orthodontic treatment. Each has advantages for certain circumstances. Orthognathic surgery may be recommended for severe cases.
Metal braces — Traditional braces consist of standard metal brackets placed on the teeth with an adhesive and connected with a special wire. They are tightened every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain consistent pressure on the teeth and ensure they continue moving into their desired positions. This allows the teeth to adapt to the changes and for the orthodontist to monitor progress. With current advances, metal braces are now smaller, sleeker and more comfortable than ever before.
Metal braces are often the choice for correcting misalignment in children, as they are very effective even in the case of severe misalignment. They’re also made of strong materials that rarely pop or break, even during outdoor activities and roughhousing.
Clear aligners — Clear aligners are the most popular choice for teenagers and adults, who don’t want the aesthetic drawbacks of metal braces. In addition to being invisible when worn, clear aligners can be removed for short periods of time — such as while eating, brushing your teeth and sleeping. Unlike metal braces — which need to be adjusted by an orthodontist on a regular basis throughout treatment — aligners are replaced about every two weeks.
However, clear aligners are not appropriate for severe overbites, or for teeth that are severely rotated or tipped. Our blog post — “Is Invisalign Right for You?” — covers this topic in detail.
The Take-Home Message
Aimee Lou Wood’s overbite has sparked conversations about what some consider an overemphasis on physical perfection and the value of pursuing the perfect smile. However, keeping an overbite isn’t just a statement about rejecting society’s standards of beauty for one’s individual identity. It can cause short-term and long-term problems that negatively impact both oral health and overall health. Orthodontic treatment is essential to correcting alignment in order to achieve not only a more attractive smile, but optimum benefits that can help you stay healthy for a lifetime. If you’re an adult with an overbite, let your next conversation about this topic be with an orthodontist!
At NK Family Dental, it is our mission to provide the highest quality and most compassionate oral care to our Chicago patients, including dental, orthodontic and periodontal services. Our practice is trusted for advanced oral surgery procedures and comfortable root canal treatment.
Our team of experienced, dedicated dental professionals will help address your oral health concerns, and determine the best solution for you based on your individual situation. We strive to identify treatment options that fit your needs. Our dental specialists include our general dentist, Dr. Nilofer Khan, our endodontist, Dr. Sabek, and our periodontist, Dr. Amir Danesh. Dr. Danesh is a board-certified periodontist and Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology. He has contributed to the publication of two books, as well as published over 20 papers in prestigious dental research journals.
We serve the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Wicker Park with the dedication that’s earned us the reputation as the Best Dentist in Chicago!
We understand that the main concern you may have is cost, which is why we accept all major PPO plans for dental insurance and also offer our in-house dental plan. Please see our financing page for more information.
Schedule your visit through ZocDoc, or contact us directly. We look forward to treating you soon!