Underbites can be a source of embarrassment and discomfort for many patients, but thanks to advances in orthodontic technology, there are great alternatives to surgery today for correcting them.
One of the most reliable ways today for someone in Phoenix to fix underbite? Invisalign.
If you’ve been wondering whether or not Invisalign could help you avoid surgery for your underbite, and what the pros and cons are for Invisalign treatment vs. traditional metal braces, we want to help.
Keep reading to see how you can do even better than just fix your underbite with Invisalign – you can finish treatment up to 2x faster than average treatment times in Phoenix for a competitive cost to other places. And best of all, not require surgery.
What is an Underbite?
An underbite is a common misalignment of the teeth – or malocclusion – where bottom teeth of the lower jaw sticks out farther than the upper jaw. It can make it hard to chew or speak, and can lead to self-esteem issues due to an unappealing appearance.
In severe cases, surgery may be required to correct it. However, there are now alternative treatments available (like Invisalign) that can help treat underbites without going through surgery in all but the most severe cases.
Avoiding surgery can help fix dental problems with your teeth without putting your mouth (and your wallet) through such high costs to get there.
Causes of an Underbite
The most common cause of an underbite are childhood habits, developmental issues, trauma to the jaw, face, or teeth, and believe it or not, genetics.
1. Childhood Habits
Bad childhood habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and pacifier use during early childhood can cause underbite.
2. Developmental Issues
Missing or misaligned teeth and cleft palate are two examples of developmental issues that can lead to underbite over time.
There are other factors that can contribute to an underbite, including facial structure and growth irregularities that are sometimes related to genetics and other times are related to developmental issues during childhood.
3. Trauma to the Jaw, Face, or Teeth
It’s important to note that even if a person has an inherited underbite, environmental factors can still affect the severity of it.
In addition to childhood habits and developmental issues being causes of underbite, any serious trauma event to the jaw, face, or teeth comes with a risk of misaligned jaws or teeth.
4. Genetics
Genetics is a more common cause of underbite than you might think. If one or both parents have an underbite, it’s likely the trait will be passed down to their children.
No matter the cause, Invisalign offers dentists a non-surgical alternative for correcting an underbite. And at Dickerson Orthodontics, the news gets even better:
- Finish treatment up to twice as fast as average patients in Phoenix
- Enjoy far fewer appointments than other orthodontists require to get great results
- Get these benefits and more at a competitive price with no hidden fees
Different Types of Underbites
Underbites are classified as either skeletal or dental underbites.
Skeletal Underbites
Skeletal underbites occur when the lower jaw sticks out further than the upper jaw, creating a chin-forward appearance. This type of underbite is usually caused by an imbalanced growth between the front upper teeth and lower jaws, or sometimes due to genetic causes.
Dental Underbites
Dental underbites occur when a crossbite develops in the lower front teeth of the mouth instead of on the sides of the mouth – the lower teeth stick out slightly forward, but the lower jaw does not actually protrude.
This type of underbite is usually caused by a variety of factors, such as misalignment of the teeth due to childhood habits like thumb sucking or incorrect jaw development due to genetics.
In some cases, both types of underbite can be present in one individual.
Get a free consultation at Dickerson Orthodontics and we’ll walk you through all the risks for your particular case and answer all your questions – all commitment-free. If you want to avoid surgery, get your free consultation at one of our four convenient Phoenix locations.
Why Should You Fix an Underbite?
Fixing an underbite can have many positive benefits.
It can help you eat and speak more easily, which will make it easier to pay attention in class. It could also help improve your self-confidence, since having a misaligned jaw and teeth can be embarrassing.
In addition, it may even improve your long-term dental health by preventing wear or damage to the teeth due to the misalignment.
Overall, fixing an underbite is definitely worth considering if you want to feel confident, be able to talk and chew properly without difficulty, and maintain good dental and overall health too!
Can Invisalign Fix Underbite?
Yes, Invisalign can fix underbite. Today, Invisalign can treat any underbite case that traditional braces can fix.
Invisalign is a great non-surgical alternative to traditional braces and surgery. It uses clear trays customized to your needs to help move teeth into their correct positions and improve your smile.
It’s also completely removable and virtually invisible. You can still eat the foods you love without worrying about metal brackets or wires sticking out.
If you live in Phoenix and are looking for an effective treatment plan for your underbite without any of the hassles of surgery or braces, then Invisalign may be the best solution for you!
(By the way, Invisalign can fix overbite too!)
Benefits of Using Invisalign for Underbite Treatment
Using Invisalign for underbite treatment can help people in Phoenix feel more confident, speak and eat without difficulty, and maintain good dental and oral health throughout. It is a non-surgical option that uses clear trays to move teeth into the correct positions.
Plus, it’s removable so you can still eat whatever you want without worrying about metal brackets or wires sticking out.
How Does Invisalign Fix an Underbite?
Invisalign fixes an underbite without surgery or braces. It uses special clear aligners that are custom-made for your mouth. The aligner trays help move your teeth into the correct positions and improve your smile.
They’re completely removable which can help prevent tooth decay, excessive wear, and gum decay while making oral hygiene during treatment a whole lot easier.
How Long Does it Take to Fix an Underbite with Invisalign?
The average time it takes to fix an underbite with Invisalign treatment can vary depending on the severity of the underbite and the desired outcome.
Very mild underbites can be corrected in as little as 6 months with Invisalign, but most typical underbite cases range closer to 18-24 months. During treatment, you will need to visit your dental office every 4 to 6 weeks for checkups at most places.
But at Dickerson Orthodontics, we save you a lot of time with fewer appointments. We treat patients who enjoy up to half the appointments of most local dentist offices in Phoenix. Get a free consultation to find out more.
Traditional Metal Braces vs. Invisalign for Underbite Correction
Metal braces are the more traditional and well-known option for underbite correction. They use metal brackets and wires to gradually adjust the teeth into a more desirable alignment.
The treatment time for standard cases is between 22-24 months, and requires regular visits by the patient to have the braces adjusted. Although brackets and wires are visible, modern braces come in a variety of colors so patients can choose something more aesthetically pleasing if desired.
Invisalign clear aligners are the newer alternative for fixing underbite without surgery or braces. Instead of using metal brackets and wires, Invisalign utilizes a series of custom-made clear plastic trays that fit around each individual’s mouth, gradually shifting them into their desired position.
Invisalign trays are removable so that patients can eat whatever they want without worrying about food getting stuck in their braces, making it a much easier option than traditional braces. They’re also clear and essentially impossible to see even at normal conversational distances, leading some people to call them ‘invisible braces’.
Average treatment time can take between 18-24 months depending on the severity of the underbite. It may require regular in-office checkups every 4-6 weeks during treatment at most orthodontists (see how Dickerson Orthodontics saves you time).
Overall, both conventional metal braces and Invisalign offer effective treatments for correcting an underbite but they do vary in terms of convenience, cost, aesthetics, and required maintenance. (Read more about Braces vs. Invisalign, Braces Cost, and Invisalign Cost.)
If you want to correct your underbite but don’t want anyone to know you’re wearing braces, then Invisalign is your best treatment option – it offers many other advantages over braces, too, such as being virtually invisible yet still highly effective at correcting alignment issues.
Other Issues Invisalign Treatment Can Correct
In addition to correcting underbites, Invisalign clear aligners are also used to address other common dental issues including:
- overcrowding
- gaps between teeth
- crossbites
- overbites
- open bites
Invisalign treatment can help to align the teeth and jaw in the correct position in order to improve improper teeth position as well as your overall smile. It is also used to reduce discomfort from malocclusion which can lead to headaches, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), and difficulty speaking properly.
What can’t Invisalign fix? The list keeps getting smaller! Today, Invisalign can treat essentially any case that braces can treat, regardless of complexity.
Can Invisalign Fix Underbite – Conclusion
Untreated underbite can lead to many minor and major oral hygiene risks. Invisalign is a great orthodontic treatment option for those looking to correct an underbite or other dental issues without the hassle of braces, or the risk and cost of surgery.
The clear aligners from Invisalign offer many cosmetic advantages and is also highly effective at correcting misalignment, even complex cases.
If you are considering getting Invisalign treatment, make sure to consult with your local dental office first so they can determine if this type of treatment would be right for you.
In Phoenix, get a free consultation at Dickerson Orthodontics and we’ll show you how Invisalign can straighten teeth and help you own your best smile up to 2x faster than average treatment times at other local dentist offices in Phoenix.
We’ll show you a sneak peek of your fixed underbite in high resolution.
