An overbite develops when your upper row of teeth protrudes too far in front of your bottom row of teeth. This problem can cause you to experience tooth decay and have difficulty speaking clearly. In addition, an overbite can change the structure of your face and damage your self-esteem. At Central Texas Orthodontics in Austin, Texas, we can use a variety of different overbite correction treatments to fix this problem.
Overbite Correction: How Long Does the Process Take?
The time that you spend getting an overbite correction treatment will depend on the severity of your overbite and the other orthodontic issues that you are trying to correct. When you come in for your first visit to our office in Austin, we will look at your overbite teeth and carefully examine each of your teeth. We may also take X-rays of your upper and lower teeth.
This examination will allow us to craft a personalized overbite treatment plan for you. Although the length of your overbite treatment will vary, it will usually take up to two years to completely correct an overbite. In general, it will take us longer to fix a severe overbite. If your teeth problems are fairly minor, you should be able to correct this problem in a shorter amount of time.
Can I Do Anything to Make My Overbite Treatment Work Faster?
If you are eager to see improvements in your overbite, you should consider combining your braces or Invisalign treatments with Propel VPro. This specialized device can enhance your teeth’s response to your treatment and reduce the total amount of time that you spend improving your overbite.
Shifting Your Teeth
This FDA-approved device will send micro-pulses into your teeth. These micro-pulses will enable your teeth to quickly move into different places in your mouth. This technique can decrease your overbite treatment time by up to 64%.
Using Your Device
This device is very easy to use. You will put the Propel VPro device into your mouth and bite down. During the next five minutes, the device will send micro-pulses into your teeth. Since you don’t need to use your hands to keep the mouthpiece in position, you can read a book, watch a television show, or answer emails while the device is vibrating.
You also don’t have to worry about keeping track of your daily sessions. The Propel VPro device can connect to a smartphone application that will track your sessions and monitor the vibrations of your teeth.
What Problems Can My Overbite Cause?
If you do not correct your overbite, you might experience a number of frustrating dental issues. In general, your risk of developing teeth problems will be higher if you have a severe overbite. In particular, this type of overbite can prevent you from carefully brushing your teeth. Failing to properly clean your teeth could lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and other issues.
In addition, an overbite could cause you to grind your teeth or clench your jaw. These behaviors can lead to temporomandibular joint pain, commonly called TMJ, and headaches. You might also damage the enamel in your teeth over time.
Why Do I Have an Overbite?
In many cases, your genetics will cause this problem. If your close relatives have overbites, you will be more likely to experience this teeth issue. In addition, some habits that you adopt at an early stage in your life can impact the growth of your jaw and teeth over time. These habits can create an overbite or make an existing overbite worse.
For example, if you sucked your thumb for a long time when you were younger, you will be more likely to experience this problem. Tongue thrusting and using a pacifier for a long time can also worsen your overbite.
What Methods Can I Use to Correct My Overbite?
In the past several decades, researchers have created new techniques that allow us to quickly correct overbites and other teeth issues. As a result, you’ll be able to find an overbite correction technique that will fit your unique needs and preferences.
Ceramic Braces
If you would like to fix your overbite and other teeth issues in a discreet fashion, you should consider getting ceramic braces. These clear braces are very small and unobtrusive. However, since these braces are fairly delicate, you will need to be prepared to take very good care of your teeth during your treatment.
Self-Ligating Braces
If you don’t have time to visit our office for frequent adjustments, you should think about getting self-ligating braces. These braces use specialized methods to reduce the friction that you will experience during your orthodontic treatment. This innovative technology will also allow us to adjust your braces in a quick, easy fashion. Further, we can provide you with self-ligating braces that use clear, ceramic, or metal brackets.
Invisalign
If you don’t want to wear braces, you should think about using Invisalign to fix your overbite. When you use this technique to improve your smile, you will receive several sets of plastic aligners. You will wear these aligners over your upper and lower teeth. As you continue to wear your aligners, your teeth will shift, and your overbite will improve.
Since these aligners are made of see-through materials, Invisalign is a very discreet treatment. Further, you will be able to remove your aligners when you are cleaning your teeth, eating, or attending a special event.
Selecting a Treatment
Each of our orthodontic treatments offers a unique set of benefits. Some treatments are very good at fixing your teeth in a discreet fashion, while other treatments can be used to correct pronounced overbites or other severe orthodontic issues. When you have your initial visit to our office in Austin, we will discuss our full range of treatments with you. We will work together to select a treatment that will fit your lifestyle, budget, and other preferences.
Will My Overbite Treatments Be Uncomfortable?
All of our orthodontic treatments are designed to fix your teeth problems in a quick, comfortable fashion. That said, you may experience a period of adjustment when you receive your braces or start wearing your new aligners. This adjustment period will be very short, and you will quickly become used to your orthodontic treatment.
Will My Overbite Treatments Be Expensive?
We offer high-quality, affordable treatments at Central Texas Orthodontics, and we will work with you to fit your overbite treatment into your budget. If you have dental insurance, your policy may cover the cost of your overbite correction treatment. To determine whether your treatment will be covered, you should call your insurance company before you start correcting your overbite.
If you do not have insurance, we can provide several options that will help you pay for your overbite treatments. In particular, we may be able to provide a discount if you pay the full cost of your overbite treatment during your first appointment. Alternatively, we can offer interest-free financing plans that will allow you to spread out your payments over a longer period of time.
How Should I Clean My Teeth While I Am Receiving My Overbite Treatment?
If you use Invisalign to fix your teeth issues, you will be able to take off your customized aligners before you floss and brush. Accordingly, you will not need to make any adjustments to your usual routine.
However, if you use braces to correct your overbite, you will need to work around your wires and brackets when you clean your teeth. Since we will help you learn how to use these techniques, you will quickly adjust to your new oral hygiene routine.
Brushing Your Teeth
It’s important to continue brushing your teeth regularly. To maintain good oral hygiene, you should brush your teeth for two minutes after you eat a meal or a snack. You should be especially careful when you brush around your wires, brackets, and other elements of your braces.
Sometimes, purchasing an electronic toothbrush or using a new toothpaste may help you clean your teeth while you are wearing braces. If you aren’t sure which brush to use, we can recommend suitable products for you.
Flossing Your Teeth
Flossing is an essential part of your dental hygiene. You should begin by wrapping your floss around one finger on each hand. You should keep a couple of inches of floss between your hands. Next, you should move the floss back and forth between each of your teeth. Carefully flossing will remove pieces of food from your teeth and decrease your risk of developing tooth decay.
If you are having trouble moving your floss behind the wires in your braces, you should consider purchasing a high-quality floss threader or a water flosser. We can recommend specific products that will help you continue flossing while you are wearing your braces.
Will I Need to Keep Visiting My Dentist During My Overbite Treatment?
When you start your orthodontic treatment, you might feel tempted to save time and money by skipping your visits to the dentist. This is not a good idea, and it’s important to continue getting regular dental cleanings while you are wearing braces or using Invisalign. Continuing to visit your dentist will protect your teeth and help you maintain good dental hygiene throughout your overbite treatment process.
Will My Overbite Treatments Prevent Me From Participating in Sports?
If you are a teenager who is involved in after-school sports or an adult who takes part in community sporting activities, don’t worry. We can use special techniques to prevent your overbite treatment from impacting your sporting activities.
Playing Sports With Invisalign
If you decide to improve your teeth with Invisalign, you will be able to take off your aligners during sporting activities. Removing your aligners will prevent these devices from becoming damaged during your games or practices.
Playing Sports With Braces
Alternatively, if you use braces to fix your overbite, we can give you a customized mouthguard. This mouthguard will protect your braces and decrease the risk of developing loose brackets, broken wires, or other problems during your sporting events. Instead of visiting our office for frequent repairs, you’ll be to spend your time and energy playing your favorite sports.
Fix Your Overbite
In addition to changing the structure of your face, an overbite can cause you to develop tooth decay, jaw pain, and other health problems. To prevent these issues, you should use braces or other techniques to bring your teeth into alignment. To learn more about the benefits of getting an overbite correction treatment, contact us at Central Texas Orthodontics in Austin, Texas.
