“What percentage of an overbite do you need to get braces?”
I have an overbite and want to fix it. What percentage of an overbite do you need to get braces?
4 Answers
DentalHygienistDentist
Overbite is not measured as a percentage. The indications for orthodontic therapy are complex. The doctor should tell you the pros and cons of getting or not getting treatment. This is informed consent, and it is the law. Once you have been informed, and all your questions have been answered, then make an informed decision.
There's not necessarily a hard rule on what percentage of an overbite is
considered problematic. There are many variables such as alignment of the
teeth, overjet and functional and nonfunctional movements involving your
bite that determine whether or not orthodontics would be recommended. It
is always best to have a dentist or orthodontist do a thorough evaluation
for you, as an individual.
considered problematic. There are many variables such as alignment of the
teeth, overjet and functional and nonfunctional movements involving your
bite that determine whether or not orthodontics would be recommended. It
is always best to have a dentist or orthodontist do a thorough evaluation
for you, as an individual.
As a general practitioner for 40 years, I've seen literally thousands of overbite situations in patients. Some are mild and can be corrected with traditional orthodontics and some are severe and require surgical intervention in adults and orthopedic orthodontics in children.
Generally speaking, an overbite can be either Dental - just a bad bite, or skeletal - a developmental condition.
We now realize that developmental conditions can be mitigated early by orthopedic correction of constricted airway conditions and/or developing skeletal overbite situations. There's really no set "percentage" that I'm aware of, but orthodontic Cephalometric analysis -which can be done by a simple Cephalometric X-ray and digital software - can determine when certain anatomical landmarks are over a pre-determined set of mathematical and geometrical angles. Fundamentally, a deep overbite will give a person a life-long disadvantage in chewing, appearance, TMJ and Sleep apnea situations, and overall self-worth. If you're a parent and see signs of overbite (bottom teeth deeply behind the upper teeth in the front) then, by all means, see your dentist and get a timely referral to an orthodontist or an airway corrective practitioner. Almost all overbites can be corrected non-surgically now before a child's last growth spurt in their mid-teens. After their last growth spurt, surgical treatment is sometimes the best option for permanent correction. If you're an adult, there are some exciting new - but surgical - options for correcting a deep overbite. Those are best explained by your dentist or an oral surgeon. Finally, if you are dead set against surgery there are some restorative options such as full crown coverage on the lower arch which are not economical but are a great investment in mitigating a deep overbite.
Generally speaking, an overbite can be either Dental - just a bad bite, or skeletal - a developmental condition.
We now realize that developmental conditions can be mitigated early by orthopedic correction of constricted airway conditions and/or developing skeletal overbite situations. There's really no set "percentage" that I'm aware of, but orthodontic Cephalometric analysis -which can be done by a simple Cephalometric X-ray and digital software - can determine when certain anatomical landmarks are over a pre-determined set of mathematical and geometrical angles. Fundamentally, a deep overbite will give a person a life-long disadvantage in chewing, appearance, TMJ and Sleep apnea situations, and overall self-worth. If you're a parent and see signs of overbite (bottom teeth deeply behind the upper teeth in the front) then, by all means, see your dentist and get a timely referral to an orthodontist or an airway corrective practitioner. Almost all overbites can be corrected non-surgically now before a child's last growth spurt in their mid-teens. After their last growth spurt, surgical treatment is sometimes the best option for permanent correction. If you're an adult, there are some exciting new - but surgical - options for correcting a deep overbite. Those are best explained by your dentist or an oral surgeon. Finally, if you are dead set against surgery there are some restorative options such as full crown coverage on the lower arch which are not economical but are a great investment in mitigating a deep overbite.
That’s a very common question first we have to identify if the problem is overbite or overjet and how they affect the way that you bite. There are no rigid parameters as treatment should be customized to various patients.
