Traditionally, underbite treatment consisted of having to undergo dental surgery or getting braces. Fortunately, dental technology has come a long way in recent years and now there’s an easier and still effective method for correcting an underbite. Invisalign is a state-of-the-art and convenient underbite treatment that can put you on the path to straighter, healthier teeth.
What Is an Underbite?
An underbite is when your lower teeth protrude further than and overlap your upper teeth when your jaw is in the resting position. Aside from being aesthetically displeasing, this can lead to a series of dental health issues. Having an underbite can negatively impact the quality of your bite, making it a lot harder to chew your food. Over time, this added strain on your teeth will cause excessive and premature wear and tear. Eventually, you could even develop gaps or misalignment between your teeth, which can lead to oral infections and tooth loss.
Underbites have a variety of causes including oral injury, genetics, and even habits like thumb sucking at a young age.
Also Read: Underbite: Causes, Complications, and Treatments
What Dental Issues Are Linked to Underbites?
If you have an underbite, you should consider getting corrective Invisalign treatment . Even if it’s not physically bothering you at the moment, underbites are linked to a series of potential dental issues.
Neglecting to get underbite treatment can result in long-term dental health issues. Tooth misalignment is a common by-product of having an underbite and this can make your teeth a lot harder to clean. Depending on how badly misaligned your teeth are, flossing can be nearly impossible and brushing alone is insufficient to thoroughly remove stuck-on food particles between your teeth. Bacteria, tartar, and plaque buildup will eventually erode your protective tooth enamel, leaving your teeth susceptible to cavities that wear them down in addition to the impact that chewing has.
A severe underbite can also lead to a very painful jaw condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
Why Do You Need Underbite Treatment?
Invisalign for underbite treatment is helpful because it realigns your teeth and jawbone to prevent future dental health issues that are associated with having a severe underbite. Aside from the potential medical issues that can result from neglecting to correct an underbite, many patients are simply unhappy with the appearance of their smiles.
That feeling of displeasure and lack of confidence every time you look in the mirror or appear in a picture will only continue, if your underbite worsens over time. If you’re not doing it for health reasons—which you definitely should—then it’s important to undergo Invisalign treatment to fix your underbite to improve the look of your smile. Correcting your underbite will prevent eventual tooth decay and loss. In the end, it’ll also give you the confidence boost you need to show your teeth more when smiling.
How Invisalign Treatment Can Discreetly Fix an Underbite
Unlike braces that can be sharp, bulky, and uncomfortable, Invisalign offers a more discreet and comfortable alternative to correcting crooked teeth and underbites. To get started with Invisalign treatment for underbites, you’ll have to schedule a consultation with your dentist. The initial consultation will consist of them assessing the severity of your underbite.
Next, they’ll create a mould of your teeth and bite to get the precise fit of the dental trays. After that, your dentist will come up with a personalized Invisalign treatment plan based on your specific needs. Once the treatment plan is finalized, they’ll customize transparent aligners that are designed to fit your teeth and those will be sent to your dentist for instruction and insertion.
You’ll have to go through this process every two weeks at which point you’ll switch out the used aligners for a new set. The transparent aligners need to be worn for at least 22 hours per day to be effective. Gradually, your teeth will be straightened and fall into perfect alignment. At the end, your dentist will do a final assessment to ensure that your teeth are exactly where they’re supposed to be.
More severe cases of underbite, however, may still require additional dental treatment such as surgery or the use of other dental appliances.
Also Read: Underbite Treatment: Is Surgery Really Necessary?
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign Treatment for an Underbite?
Originally invented in 1997 by two Stanford dental students, Invisalign has since grown immensely in popularity in the dental field. It’s one of the top-performing corrective dental appliances of all time. And there are a few good reasons for that.
Your General Dentist Can Create and Oversee Treatment
One of the benefits of the Invisalign procedure and treatment is that they can be done by your existing general dentist rather than you being referred out to an orthodontic specialist, which could potentially be more expensive.
No One Will Ever Know You’re Wearing Them
Adult braces can be a little embarrassing for some people of a certain age. But that shouldn’t stop them from having a beautifully straight and healthy set of teeth later on in life. Invisalign treatment offers maximum discreetness, so that no one will ever know you’re undergoing corrective work on your teeth. The aligners are completely transparent and made to fit your teeth perfectly at every stage, so they are difficult to detect even when worn during the day.
Continue Eating Your Favourite Foods
With braces, it can be hard to keep eating your favourite foods. Crunchy apples, chips, carrots, and any other hard food items are completely out of the question because they could break your braces. Invisalign aligners are completely removable just like a night guard, so you can take them out while you eat and chew comfortably, confident that nothing will get stuck in them.
Comfortable and Affordable
Invisalign treatment is significantly more comfortable and affordable than getting wire braces. The aligners are fitted exactly to the shape and size of your teeth, so there’s no uncomfortable adjustment period.
Easily Removable to Maintain Oral Hygiene
Invisalign aligners are also incredibly easy to clean and maintain. Simply remove them, rinse them off with a little warm water, and brush them with a soft-bristled brush just like you would your teeth. You should do this at least twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening to maintain optimal oral hygiene.
Improve Your Self-Confidence
As the appearance of your teeth and smile begin to gradually improve over the course of the Invisalign underbite treatment, so will your self-confidence. Invisalign is the preferable alternative to braces because it’s so easy, discreet, and effective.
Get Invisalign and Underbite Treatment at Princeview Dental Group
At the Princeview Dental Group, we know how great it feels to get necessary dental treatment. We see it in our patients’ faces every single day. Having an underbite can have a negative impact on your oral health. Contact us today to learn more about how Invisalign treatment in our dental clinic can help improve the appearance and functionality of your teeth. Please visit us at our updated dental office at 3052 Bloor Street West in Etobicoke, located conveniently under the Crooked Cue Pub & Restaurant.
