Take a look at your child’s smile; how do their teeth line up? If the upper teeth are too far in front of the lower teeth, it’s a condition called overbite that can cause serious health complications if it’s not treated. While it can often be corrected with braces, more severe conditions will often require a different orthodontic device. Read on to learn more about how orthodontic headgear can save your child from a severe overbite.
What is a Severe Overbite, and What Causes It?
A severe overbite is also known as retrognathia, where the lower jaw is set significantly further back than the upper jaw. It may not be noticeable when looking at the face head-on, but it’s much easier to see in profile.
Oftentimes retrognathia is caused by genetics; for example, it could be caused by hemifacial microsomia, which causes a part of the face to be undergrown. In other cases, it may be a side effect of surgery to remove a tumor. It can even be the result of a severe injury that disrupts jaw development.
What if a Severe Overbite is Left Uncorrected?
An overbite doesn’t just affect appearance. As your child grows, they may experience increased difficulty when biting and chewing food, or their lower teeth can become crowded and irregularly positioned. These issues can eventually create a TMJ disorder that can cause a lot of pain.
It’s also possible for a severe overbite to disrupt breathing while your child is asleep. In addition to snoring, this can cause a severe sleeping disorder known as sleep apnea where breathing stops and restarts repeatedly. If untreated, it can result in heart disease.
Other potential problems include a higher risk of tooth decay, severe headaches, and difficulty speaking.
How Can Orthodontic Headgear Correct an Overbite?
Orthodontic headgear can be used to help guide the development of the jaw in children in order to eventually create a more well-aligned bite. There are multiple kinds:
- Cervical pull headgear has a u-shaped wire attached to bands on the back teeth and a strap worn behind the neck; it holds back growth of the upper jaw.
- High-pull headgear involves a wire connecting the teeth and a strap that goes behind the head. It works similarly to cervical pull headgear.
- Reverse-pull or “facemask” headgear is used in cases of underbite where the lower jaw is the one that’s further ahead; it helps pull the upper jaw forward.
Typically, headgear needs to be worn for at least 12 hours a day – sometimes longer. Your dentist will explain how long it will need to be worn depending on the severity of your case. They’ll also provide instructions for practicing good oral hygiene and taking care of the device. If you suspect your child needs severe bite corrections, make an appointment as soon as possible; the sooner the problem is addressed, the more likely it is that the treatment will be successful.
About the Author
Dr. Dalia Georgy has been practicing dentistry for 7 years and enjoys improving smiles at her practice, Glenpool Braces. She offers a number of orthodontic treatments in addition to traditional braces; for example, she offers headgear for cases of severe overbite. To schedule an appointment for you or your child, visit her website or call (918) 201-1414.