Are tooth extractions necessary for braces?

Thankfully, you won’t always need an extraction if you have crowded teeth. Instead, your dentist will evaluate your smile and develop a personalized plan for your braces. Orthodontics will typically take between 8 and 18 months, but this will all depend on your alignment.

Can underbite be fixed with braces?

Braces are periodically tightened which straighten your teeth and align your jaw. This can help fix an underbite because as the braces are tightened multiple times over the length of your treatment, your jaw is gradually aligned with your teeth.

How do you fix a mild underbite?

One of the most effective ways to deal with a mild underbite is getting braces. But in case of extreme underbite or if there is overcrowding in your teeth, then an oral surgeon can help you by performing an underbite correction surgery to bring your upper and lower jaws into alignment.

What is a mild underbite?

Kitzmiller adds that “mild underbite can present as looking like the upper front teeth and lower front teeth are in edge-to-edge contact,” while “a severe underbite is when the lower jaw is shifted so far forward that the lower front teeth appear to almost overlap on top of the upper front teeth.”

Which teeth will be removed for braces?

Which teeth are extracted depends on the patient’s specific case, but generally, the premolars (the 4th and 5th teeth in order from the front) are the most likely to be removed. In some cases, a back molar may be removed in addition, or instead, of the premolars.

How long does it take for braces to fix an underbite?

For minor cases, it could take about three to four months, while moderately severe underbites can be corrected within 12 months. This time is still shorter than the time it takes to get underbites fixed with traditional metal braces.

Is a minor underbite bad?

Even a minor underbite can cause difficulties with biting and chewing. A more severe underbite can lead to speech problems, decay and loss of enamel where the teeth overlap, mouth breathing and sleep apnea, persistent jaw and temporomandibular joint pain, and self-confidence issues.

Does your face change after braces?

Yes, undergoing orthodontic treatment can bring changes to a person’s face. Don’t worry though – the changes that braces will make are purely positive! Braces will fix alignment issues with your face and give you a more symmetrical, natural look to both your mouth and your jawline.

Can braces fix my underbite?

Everyone’s teeth are different but usually, if the underbite is due to a dental cause then the patient probably has some combination of forward-angled or protruding lower front teeth and possibly gaps between teeth. The purpose of the braces, in this case, is to realign the teeth around the jaw, close up gaps, and reign in the front teeth.

Do you have an underbite jaw?

In lots of people, an underbite jaw is barely noticeable, with the bottom teeth resting just slightly in front of the top teeth. In more severe underbite cases, there can be a very noticeable gap between the sets of teeth.

Can you get braces just on your bottom teeth?

This is not, however, the only way that you can get braces. It is possible for you to get braces just on your bottom teeth. If your upper teeth are relatively straight and do not need to be straightened to improve your oral health at all, ask Dr. Gemmi or Dr. Middleberg about getting braces just on your bottom teeth.

Do braces affect your bite?

Braces are not just about aesthetics. While someone can have a fine bite and have a few crooked teeth that braces can quickly fix, crowded and twisted teeth do usually affect the bite. You could have a problem with your bite and not even realize it.