Causes of Under-Bite
Several factors can influence how your teeth align. Teeth typically grow in such a way that the upper teeth fit slightly over the lower teeth. Your molars, which are the flat, wide teeth at the back of your mouth, should fit together. When you eat, proper tooth alignment prevents you from biting your cheeks, lips, or tongue. An underbite can develop due to a variety of factors. These are some examples:
- Childhood habits: Certain childhood habits may increase the likelihood of developing an underbite or other dental misalignment, such as sucking thumb.
- Genetics: An underbite is usually inherited. Even if one other person in your family has an underbite, you are likely to develop one as well. The size and shape of a person's jaw and teeth are also determined by genetics.
- Facial injuries: Severe facial injuries can permanently damage the jawbones. Broken jawbones can often be repaired, but jaws do not always fit together properly after being surgically realigned. This can result in an underbite.
- Tumors: Tumors on the jawbones or inside the mouth can cause the jaws to protrude, resulting in an underbite.
Treatment
Medical treatment is the only way to correct an underbite. It can, at the very least, improve the appearance of an underbite. A dentist may be able to move the teeth into their proper position using wire or plastic braces or other dental appliances.
If the teeth' overcrowding contributes to the issue, removing one or lower jaw teeth may help improve the appearance of an underbite. A dentist may use a grinding device to smooth out large or protruding teeth in severe cases. A dentist may recommend surgery to correct an underbite in more severe cases.