Treatment Options For A Misaligned Jaw

Living with a misaligned jaw can be difficult. It can cause anxiety and can also affect the self-esteem of the person who suffers from it. It can also interfere with bodily functions such as breathing, speech and in extreme cases can cause pain, even when the jaw is not moving. Many solutions are available to treat misaligned jaws.

Types of jaw misalignment

Overbite. This refers to the type of condition where the upper teeth protrude and are not properly aligned with the lower teeth.

Underbite. On the other hand, an underbite is the opposite of an overbite. The lower teeth stick out far too forward rather than the upper teeth in an underbite.

Treatment options

Jaw alignment braces offer a permanent fix to a misaligned jaw.

Braces. This is a very effective option that can target problems such as crooked teeth and other misalignment problems. This treatment method would be the best recommendation for an overbite. Invisible braces can also be used by dentists.

Headgear braces. If regular braces are not able to fix the misalignment, headgear braces can be used instead. This is an external brace that should be worn only from 12 to 14 hours.

Upper jaw expander. This is a treatment option that can be used to treat an underbite. Using a key, it can be adjusted for up to about a year, until the misalignment is corrected.

Reverse pull mask. Like headgear braces, this can be removed after 12 to 14 hours of use.

Metal braces are fixed to the back teeth of the patient and these braces connect to the face mask, which works by pulling the upper jaw backward.

After treatment

Some risks accompany getting jaw alignment braces. Such as being more prone to tooth decay and cavities, but then with proper care and with the guiding hand of a dentist, the pain and sacrifice of treatment will all be worth it.