Our Locations
Huntington Office
Overbites are no joke. From physical to emotional symptoms, this condition can cause many problems for Dr. Sheinis’s patients at Shiney Smiles Orthodontics. The good news is that there is a solution to all your overbite issues, and the Shiney Smiles team keeps the cure in stock just for patients like you! Clear aligners are one of the best ways to correct orthodontic issues like overbites, and we’re here to tell you all about them. Keep reading to learn more!
What is an overbite?
An overbite is a form of malocclusion that causes a misalignment of the top and bottom jaw. When you have an overbite, your bottom jaw sits further back in your mouth than it would with a normal bite pattern, which can cause a wide range of issues, from the physical to the emotional.
Overbites can make it difficult to chew or even cause pain. Many people with overbites suffer from headaches, jaw aches, or earaches. For some people, the emotional toll is worse. Overbites can cause a receding chin, making patients feel insecure about their smile.
Tip for parents: If you suspect your child has an overbite, the best way to help reduce the physical and emotional stress that comes with this form of malocclusion is to have a trained orthodontist like Dr. Sheinis track their growth from age seven and up.
What causes an overbite?
There are several reasons you or your child might suffer from an overbite. Some of these reasons are preventable, while others are only treatable. The best way to know for sure what is causing your overbite is to visit Dr. Sheinis at Shiney Smiles Orthodontics, but here are a few of the most common causes:
Small Lower Jaw: According to the American Association of Orthodontists, having a lower jaw that is shorter than the upper jaw is the most common cause of overbites. Because the lower jaw is smaller, it naturally grows out of alignment with the upper jaw, which could cause problems for you or your child.
Genetics: For most people, overbites just run in the family. You may have been born with an overbite, meaning you’ve had it your entire life. If your overbite is genetic, it’s not preventable – but it is treatable!
Thumb Sucking: Although thumb sucking is a common oral habit for most toddlers, it can cause an overbite if they don’t quit the habit by the time they’re five years old. Luckily, by helping your child quit thumb-sucking, you could help prevent them from developing an overbite in the future.
How Clear Aligners Can Help
At Shiney Smiles Orthodontics, we believe that orthodontic treatment is the best way to tackle problems caused by overbites at their root. By correcting an overbite, you or your child will feel more comfortable and confident to take on the world. Not everyone wants the bulky brackets and wires of traditional braces, however. If that sounds like you, clear aligners are your new best friend.
All About Clear Aligners
This treatment plan is perfect for patients who want to fix their overbite without attracting notice. Personalized to fit your smile, these trays fit like a glove over your teeth, making them almost invisible. Although treatment times vary depending on how severe your overbite is, you can expect to wear these trays for 22 hours/day for 9-15 months.
As our most flexible treatment option, clear aligners allow you to straighten your teeth without changing your diet or oral hygiene routine like you would have to with metal braces. We offer Invisalign and 3M Clarity clear aligners for teens and adults alike, so everyone can get the smile they deserve.
How It Works
When you or your child visits Shiney Smiles Orthodontics for your free consultation, we’ll perform an oral exam to assess the severity of your overbite. Then, using 3D imaging, Dr. Sheinis will create a series of clear aligner trays that fit your unique smile.
When you start wearing them, our clear aligner trays help shift your smile in gear with the help of precision wings that move the lower jaw closer to the front of your mouth. These wings hold your jaw in the correct position while the rest of your teeth align around them. This process is called mandibular advancement, and it is one of the most modern treatment options available for overbite patients!
Who Benefits?
Everyone with an overbite benefits from orthodontic treatment, but clear aligners aren’t always the best solution for every case. Orthodontic treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all, and Dr. Sheinis makes it his mission to find the exact plan that will give you the best smile in the most efficient way possible.
Clear aligner trays work best for patients with mild to moderate overbites. Patients who have more severe malocclusions may need to wear clear or metal braces instead to ensure they get the smile they deserve. It can be hard to tell on your own whether or not you have a severe overbite, so visit Shiney Smiles Orthodontics to see if Invisalign or 3M Clarity aligners are right for you.
Schedule Your Free Consultation!
Struggling with an overbite can leave you feeling down. Fortunately, the Shiney Smiles Orthodontics team is your best bet for fixing all your orthodontic problems at the root! If you feel like your overbite is causing issues in your life, schedule your free consultation at our office in Huntington or Woodbury today!