I have an underbite and have been recommended a pretty extreme procedure, do I have any other options?
Q.
I have grade 3 malocclusion and underbite. I am 32 years of age and have recently had a consultation with Oral Maxillo Facial Surgeon who advised a Bilateral maxillary osteotomy.
It appears a pretty extreme operation and quite frankly I’m scared of having it.
What non- surgical alternatives are there which I could try? I’m seeing another dentist who does orthodontics next week and would like to know what I should be asking him as I really want to sort my underbite out as it causes discomfort and I have a crossbite at the back on the left where my teeth catch and grind.
I have grade 3 malocclusion and underbite. I am 32 years of age and have recently had a consultation with Oral Maxillo Facial Surgeon who advised a Bilateral maxillary osteotomy.
It appears a pretty extreme operation and quite frankly I’m scared of having it.
What non- surgical alternatives are there which I could try? I’m seeing another dentist who does orthodontics next week and would like to know what I should be asking him as I really want to sort my underbite out as it causes discomfort and I have a crossbite at the back on the left where my teeth catch and grind.
A.
Hi
Sometimes if the teeth are in the wrong position it is due to the jaw position and moving the teeth on their own is not enough, for an ideal tooth position / bite.
However if the teeth catch and cause jaw pain, you may consider some small tooth adjustments (depending on the severity of the bite) or tooth movement. Alternatively you could consider the use of a hard nightguard (splint) that is worn over the teeth to relax the jaw muscles and joint. These may improve the pain / discomfort but not correct the reverse overjet (underbite) you describe. I would see the dentist next week but also consider see a dentist who is an expert in TMJ (jaw joint) treatment. See – http://www.umbrellasmiles.com/tmjpain.html
Good luck
Mark
Hi
Sometimes if the teeth are in the wrong position it is due to the jaw position and moving the teeth on their own is not enough, for an ideal tooth position / bite.
However if the teeth catch and cause jaw pain, you may consider some small tooth adjustments (depending on the severity of the bite) or tooth movement. Alternatively you could consider the use of a hard nightguard (splint) that is worn over the teeth to relax the jaw muscles and joint. These may improve the pain / discomfort but not correct the reverse overjet (underbite) you describe. I would see the dentist next week but also consider see a dentist who is an expert in TMJ (jaw joint) treatment. See – http://www.umbrellasmiles.com/tmjpain.html
Good luck
Mark
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