In our last post we explained about maxillofacial surgery – one of the things we commonly use this technique for is to treat severe malocclusions, otherwise known as overbites and underbites.
Very simply, a malocclusion is when the top and bottom teeth do not meet correctly when the jaws close. This can be very mild and not require any treatment, or it can be pronounced and need orthodontic or surgical treatment to correct the problem. We often have people come and see us, as they don’t like the way their teeth look, or because due to their bite they are having trouble with chewing or speaking.
It’s important to differentiate between the aesthetic issues these problems cause and the medical ones and take any real issues seriously and get treatment. People with an overbite can suffer jaw pain, dental problems such as damaged enamel, tooth decay and tooth loss, as the teeth are striking each other incorrectly. It has even been linked to sleep apnea, with excellent results seen from jaw surgery for sufferers of OSA.
Malocclusions are often hereditary, so if you have it look out for it in your children. As soon as the overbite becomes clear in a child, it is a good idea to visit your dentist for advice, as it is much easier to treat children and help guide the jaw in development at the early stages, rather than fix a fully developed problem at a later stage.
However, even if you have a pronounced malocclusion don’t worry, there are both dental and surgical options available to you which will stop any pain or issues with teeth, gums or speech and also give you a great looking smile.
At our Marbella Dental clinic, we have general dentists, orthodontic specialists and maxillofacial surgeons, so we can help you treat your problem no matter what is required. Please book a consultation and we can work out a treatment plan for you.
