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Overbite

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:44 am
by Marchhare2008
Hi,

I have very crooked teeth at the top and wanted to get them fixed with braces next year. However, now I pay attention to my teeth, I've also realised that I've got quite an overbite (no overjet) where my top teeth cover around 90% of my lower teeth. I'm guessing an orthodontist would want to fix this.

My problem is that I don't want my lower jaw pushed forward. I have quite a pronounced chin and if my jaw goes any further forward it will look very pronounced. Will brace treatment to correct an overbite necessarily move my lower jaw? Or can I have my upper teeth straightened without correcting my overbite?

I really want straight teeth but I REALLY don't want my jaw to be more pronounced!

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:23 am
by Spanner
Hi there,

I have a 100% overbite. My chin is in the correct position and my ortho has said that it will stay in that position. I'm having my bite corrected as that is my main problem and is causing gum recession.

I could be wrong here but I'm thinking that you can't actually push your jaw forward without surgery.

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:51 am
by Marchhare2008
Good! I've already decided I'm NOT having surgery. All I really want is my top teeth not to stick out any more!!! I know I have an overbite but this has never been a problem and my lower teeth hit the back of my upper teeth without touching gum - just!

I am still concerned about treatment affecting my face shape though. I suppose I just need to make sure I get my orthodontist to go through any changes really carefully!

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:26 am
by Marchhare2008
Has anyone else had experiences with correcting overbite without surgery and has it made their jaw more pronounced?

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:23 pm
by platinum
I know I have an overbite but this has never been a problem and my lower teeth hit the back of my upper teeth without touching gum - just!
I have same kind of situation. now being 32 years old, the back side of my front upper laterals have been worn, because of overbite. And my overbite has gotten worse...

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:32 pm
by Spanner
Marchhare2008 wrote:I am still concerned about treatment affecting my face shape though. I suppose I just need to make sure I get my orthodontist to go through any changes really carefully!
This is my biggest fear to. I have no fear re wearing braces and pain etc. just face shape changes.

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:52 pm
by Miss Smiley
I think ortho's take your face shape and structure into consideration when making up your treatment plan. Maybe you need a couple more consults and see what they say.

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:24 pm
by Miss Smiley
Mer does it again with her helpful pictures!

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:57 am
by Marchhare2008
Hmm, sounds good. I'd read that overbites were usually correcting by elastics pulling lower jaw forward - that would not look good on me!!!

My other concern is that I did have 2 second pre-molars on the bottom that were still baby teeth - one of these had to be removed after a broken filling and I still have the other baby tooth. I'm guessing this might have to be removed and might limit my options - will obviously get implants in the end but would it mean I couldn't have the posterior extrusion option?

I know I shouldn't be guessing this and should just go and have a consult but I don't want to end up disappointed and want to prepare myself by knowing the facts first!!!

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:29 am
by platinum
I'm guessing this might have to be removed and might limit my options - will obviously get implants in the end but would it mean I couldn't have the posterior extrusion option?
I miss one second molar on my lower set. It seemede that there was nor problems to extrude my posterior teeth.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:52 am
by Kerry
if your lower jaw is ver pronounced already could it be your upper jaw thats the problem ?

i have to have lower jaw surgery as my lower jaw is too far back but i dont actually have much of a chin to be fair so it would be nice to have one and it would make my side profile much nicer, however my upper jaw is fine (we think)

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:30 am
by Marchhare2008
Well, I think I should stop speculating and go and see an orthodontist.

I don't have much of an overjet (couple of mm between top and lower teeth when biting which I think is normal). It's just the overbite where my top teeth practically cover my bottom teeth.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:32 am
by dfac001
I just went to my consultation last wk.
I have overcrowding in top and bottom. 100% overbite. No overjet.
My ortho said my face is too short now. After treatment my face will look longer. Like the ratio will be balanced out.

He said i would need to wear some sort of appliance every night for 3 months to pull my upper teeth upward.

Anyone knows what he's talking about? My ortho is a chinese guy who came from Taiwan w/ an accent. He is nice I think better than other ortho consultations I had been too. But I didn't understand half of what he said he seemed to know what he was doing though lol.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:42 pm
by BellBoy
I don't have much of an overjet (couple of mm between top and lower teeth when biting which I think is normal). It's just the overbite where my top teeth practically cover my bottom teeth.
I am the same. There are only a couple mm between my front teeth and my bottom teeth when I bite (and I think that is due to the front teeth being angled forwards.) But my front teeth cover about half of my lower teeth when I bite so I guess about 3-4mm or something. However looking at me my buck teeth seem more severe that a couple of mm here and there, its strange.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:58 pm
by HeadgearJoe
i was put into combination headgear , started out with 22 hours a day an was later on to 10 to 12 hours a day then , just 8 to 10 , to sleep in , an yes it was a long time in headgear for me , i'm out of it now but then darn things realy work well , not a joy to wear , but i did it over removing teeth .or surgery , an i'm very happy with the outcome,