How To Fix An Underbite? Causes & Treatments

Key Takeaways

• An underbite occurs when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth, affecting chewing, speech, and facial balance.
• Common causes include genetics, childhood habits, injuries, and jaw-related growth issues.
• Symptoms range from jaw pain, misaligned teeth, and speech difficulties to headaches and enamel wear.
• Untreated underbites can lead to TMD, sleep apnea, breathing issues, and long-term oral health problems.
• Treatment options include braces, aligners, expanders, growth-modification devices, and underbite surgery, depending on age and severity.

An underbite is a common bite problem where the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth when you close your mouth. This misalignment can range from a mild to a severe underbite. It can adversely affect your chewing, speech, confidence, and oral health.

However, early diagnosis and timely treatment can significantly improve function and facial balance. So, let’s have a look at its symptoms, causes, and types, along with the adverse effects of an underbite on your health and its proven treatment options!

What is an Underbite?

An underbite is a dental condition in which your lower jaw extends outwards further than your upper jaw. Therefore, the bottom teeth sit in front of the upper teeth when the mouth is closed. On the contrary, a properly aligned jaw should have the top teeth slightly overlapping the bottom teeth. So, basically disturbance of this ideal alignment is underbite.

This condition is also known as Class III malocclusion or prognathism. It ranges from minor, where they are unnoticeable, to severe, where the lower jaw extends far out.

https://www.thurmanortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/underbite.mp4

What are the Symptoms of an Underbite?

An underbite can show up in different ways depending on severity. Common symptoms include:

• Protruding teeth that look misaligned
• Speech issues, such as lisping or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds
• Misalignment between the upper and lower jaw
• Chewing difficulties or uneven bite pressure
• Jaw pain or discomfort, especially while eating or speaking

What Causes an Underbite?

An underbite can develop for several reasons. Understanding the cause helps you choose the right Underbite correction treatment. Major reasons behind developing a misaligned bite include:

1. 

   Childhood Habits

   Here are some underlying childhood habits that contribute to the development of an underbite:

   • Thumb sucking
   • Using pacifier until the age of 3
   • Pushing teeth with the tongue
   • Feeding on a milk bottle beyond the infant years
2. 

   Genetics

   Genetics even decides the shape of your jaw and teeth, which is why an underbite is hereditary most of the time. If any of your family members has an underbite, your possibility of developing one increases.

3. 

   Injury

   Severe facial injuries can be a major cause of permanent damage to the jawbones. Through surgeries, you can repair broken jaws. However, jaws don’t always fix properly, which can lead to bite issues.

4. 

   Tumors

   Tumors on the jawbones or in the mouth can cause the protrusion of your jaw.

What are the Types of Underbites?

Underbites fall into three main categories:

• Dental Underbite: It is caused by misaligned teeth while the jaws remain normally positioned.
• Skeletal Underbite: This occurs when the lower jaw grows more than the upper jaw, often influenced by genetics.
• Functional Underbite: It develops when a person positions their jaw forward out of habit or due to muscle activity.

How an Untreated Underbite Affects Overall Health?

Leaving an underbite untreated can cause more than cosmetic concerns. It may lead to:

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

  An underbite can cause problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and can develop a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). A TMJ is a hinge that connects your skull to the jaw. But an underbite can lock your TMJ in one position, developing a TMD. You might hear popping sounds when you try to move it, which leads to excruciating pain.

• Chronic Bad Breath (Halitosis)

  Because of an underbite, you might develop bacteria in your mouth. The build-up leads to bad breath.

• Mouth Breathing

  If you are finding yourself snoring heavily at night or are breathing from your mouth, an underbite can be a significant cause behind it.

• Sleep Apnea

  Sleep apnea is a condition in which you stop breathing at different points during the night. It can prevent you from sleeping well. This leads to tiredness and dullness throughout the day.

• Chronic Headaches

  Jaw misalignment often strains the muscles around your face and head. This tension can trigger chronic headaches that affect your daily comfort and focus.

• Facial Pain or Asymmetry

  An untreated bite issue can shift the natural balance of your facial muscles and bones. It sometimes leads to facial pain or noticeable asymmetry over time.

• Wear and Tear on Enamel

  Because the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly, you may experience uneven enamel wear. This wear and tear increases the risk of sensitivity, chips, and cavities.

These effects are not to be taken lightly. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s wise to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist to protect your long-term oral and overall health.

What are the Treatments for an Underbite?

Treatment depends on whether the underbite is mild, moderate, or severe, as well as the patient’s age and jaw growth.

How to Fix an Underbite in Adults?

Adults may need a combination of orthodontic and corrective treatments. Options include:

• 1

  Braces and Retainers

  Traditional braces or clear aligners help shift misaligned teeth into proper alignment. They are effective for mild to moderate underbite correction.

• 2

  Tooth Extraction

  Removing overcrowded teeth can create space, allowing proper jaw alignment during orthodontic treatment.

• 3

  Palate Expanders & Growth-Modification Devices

  While expanders work best in children, some adults may also benefit from such orthodontic devices, depending on bone flexibility. They basically widen your jaw to create extra space for teeth to fit properly.

• 4

  Underbite Surgery

  For a severe underbite, underbite surgery (orthognathic surgery) repositions the jaw to improve function, bite stability, and facial symmetry.

How to Fix an Underbite in a Child?

Since the jaw is malleable in childhood, it is recommended to fix an underbite during that time. For some children, the underbite might correct itself. However, if it does not correct itself, the parents must go for corrective underbite treatment when the child turns 7, such as:

• Chin Cap

  This device is wrapped around your child’s chin and lower jaw to prevent it from growing into the wrong shape.

• Upper Jaw Expander

  A palatal expander is a device placed on the roof of the mouth that widens each night. This increases the size of the dental arch while also aligning the upper and lower jaws properly.

• Facemask Therapy

  Facemask therapy includes a facemask. It is a device that is worn on the face, which rests on your forehead and chin. Elastics are attached between your upper jaw and the device, which pull the upper jaw forward and realign both the upper and lower jaws. The facemask needs to be worn for at least 16 hours a day for about one year.

Underbite vs Overbite vs Crossbite vs Open Bite

Understanding the difference between an underbite, overbite, crossbite, and open bite helps you recognize what’s happening with your smile and why treatment matters. Each bite issue affects your teeth and jaw differently. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you compare them at a glance.

Bite Type	Description	Cause	Treatment
Underbite	The lower jaw protrudes forward	Genetics, habits	Braces, appliances, and underbite surgery
Overbite	Upper teeth cover lower teeth	Jaw shape, genetics	Braces, retainers
Crossbite	Teeth sit misaligned side-to-side	Jaw width issues	Expanders, braces
Open Bite	Teeth don’t meet when closed	Thumb sucking, tongue thrust	Habit correction, aligners

Struggling with an underbite? Discover the best treatment options for a healthier, more confident smile!

Schedule your consultation with us today

FAQs

1. At what age should you check and fix an underbite?

   Most orthodontists recommend evaluating a child by age 7. Early screening helps identify jaw growth issues and allows timely intervention to prevent a severe underbite or complex orthodontic treatment later.

2. Can an underbite be prevented?

   Some cases are genetic and cannot be fully prevented. However, managing childhood habits like thumb sucking, early treatment of misaligned baby teeth, and timely orthodontic check-ups can reduce the severity.

3. Can an underbite correct itself?

   Mild underbites in young children may improve as the jaw grows, but most do not correct on their own. Professional evaluation is important to prevent long-term issues.

4. How long does it take to correct an underbite?

   Treatment time varies by severity and method. Mild dental underbites may take 6-12 months with braces or aligners. Skeletal underbites requiring surgery may take longer for full correction and healing.

5. Is Invisalign effective for an underbite?

   Yes, Invisalign can do mild to moderate underbite correction by guiding teeth into healthier alignment. Severe jaw-based issues may still require underbite surgery.

6. Can underbite surgery permanently fix the problem?

   Yes. Orthognathic underbite surgery offers a long-term, stable correction by repositioning the jaw and improving both bite and facial symmetry.

7. Is it possible to correct an underbite without surgery?

   Yes. Mild dental underbites can be corrected with braces, aligners, expanders, or growth-modification devices. Surgery is typically reserved for skeletal or severe underbite cases.

8. Is an underbite genetic?

   Genetics plays a major role. Jaw size, bone growth pattern, and facial structure can all be inherited, making the condition more likely to run in families.

9. Are babies born with an underbite?

   Some babies may show early signs due to inherited jaw structure. In many infants, the bite changes as teeth emerge. However, persistent misalignment should be monitored by an orthodontist.

10. What is the hardest bite to fix?

    Skeletal open bites and severe jaw discrepancies are among the hardest to treat because they involve both tooth and jaw alignment. These cases may require complex orthodontics or surgery.

11. Can an underbite affect breathing?

    Yes. Severe underbites can restrict airway space, contributing to mouth breathing, snoring, or sleep apnea.

12. Do people with underbites snore?

    They can. When the jaw sits too far forward or backward, it may narrow the airway, causing airflow restriction that leads to snoring.

13. Is underbite correction painful?

    Most treatments cause mild pressure or discomfort. But this usually fades within a few days. Modern orthodontic techniques make underbite treatment easier and more comfortable than before.

14. What foods should I avoid during underbite treatment?

    Avoid sticky, hard, or crunchy foods like nuts, caramel, gum, and popcorn, as they can damage braces or interfere with aligner fit.

Dr. Brian Thurman

Dr. Brian Thurman has spent his entire life enjoying all the beauty that California has to offer. A Fresno native, he still escapes to the ocean or the mountains whenever his busy schedule allows. Driven by his love for natural beauty, Dr. Thurman enjoys creating beautiful smiles and healthy bites that last a lifetime. He is proud to be the only Ivy League trained Orthodontist in the Fresno/Clovis area.

www.thurmanortho.com