How are underbites treated?
Underbite correction reatment options vary according to the patient’s age and the degree of their underbite, although in most situations, minor to moderate underbite correction without surgery is possible.
The following are the most frequent procedures for correcting an underbite:
An upper jaw expander. This may be recommended if the upper jaw is also small in width. Fitted across the patient’s palate, the upper jaw expander works by gradually widening the jaw so that the lower teeth match better with the upper teeth.
The ‘reverse-pull’ headgear. This type of headgear can be used to pull the upper jaw forward and works more effectively for patients under the age of 10.
Braces or clear aligners. Suitable for both children and adults, braces or clear aligners such as Invisalign® can be an effective treatment method for underbite, especially if orthodontic elastics are worn.
Tooth extraction. Where appropriate, extracting carefully selected teeth can help correct underbite in mild to moderate cases.
Surgery. In adults with severe underbite, orthognathic jaw surgery may be required to align the upper and lower jaws into their ideal positions. The surgery is generally very predictable and is considered low risk. When appropriate, a referral to an maxillofacial surgeon will be provided by your specialist orthodontist.
