An underbite is a dental condition where the lower teeth sit further than the upper teeth. You may also hear your orthodontist call it a Class III malocclusion. It is also one of the 7 common bite problems in children and adults according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

If you’re exploring orthodontic treatment, an underbite may be the reason. Not only this condition affects the look of your smile but it could also be extremely  uncomfortable. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the symptoms of a Class III malocclusion. Then, we’ll explore your options for underbite correction. 

The most obvious symptom of an underbite is noticing your misaligned bite. Your bottom jaw might be sticking out or your upper jaw might be small and way behind. You might see your lower teeth protrude further than your upper teeth. But when you have a Class III malocclusion, you may also experience other concerns. You might have pain in your face and/or mouth, headaches and earaches. TMJ, a type of chronic jaw pain, is common with underbite. It may also be hard to bite and chew, and speaking may be challenging. 

With an underbite, people may misread your emotions. This social consequence occurs when jutting lower teeth make you appear upset. Face has a “bull dog” appearance. You may develop chronic bad breath or tooth decay, caused by damaged enamel. And snoring and sleep apnea, as well as other sleep challenges, are possible. 

Clinically, underbites may appear as: Small upper jaw, Large lower jaw, Combination of both small upper jaw and large lower jaw, Interferences in your bite

Most often, you inherit an underbite. So, if one of your parents or grandparents had an underbite correction, you may also need treatment. Certain defects such as a cleft lip or palate may also contribute to a Class III malocclusion. Other childhood habits can increase your risk for this condition. If your child sucks his or her finger, or heavily uses a pacifier, that could contribute to underbite risk. Extended bottle use could also contribute to an underbite.

Injuries that damage your jawbone could also leave you with an underbite. Finally, missing or supernumerary teeth, a soft tissue or jaw tumor could also misalign your teeth and leave you with an underbite.

Skeletal Class III malocclusion (underbite) is believed to originate from genetic and/or environmental factors.

While an underbite is serious, we can treat it with orthodontics. In fact, we can still offer underbite correction for adults. And, when it comes to correcting your underbite, you’ve even got several treatment options.

Skeletal Class III Malocclusion (Underbite). Before and After Orthodontic Treatment with Braces and Orthognathic Surgery. Patient treated by Dr. Emilia Taneva 

Choosing the right underbite correction depends on your age and severity of symptoms. I know it can be hard to know what’s best, but always remember that you aren’t alone in this decision. 

If you’re dealing with a Class III malocclusion, go see your orthodontist right away. Together, you can review your individual symptoms and treatment options. And, as always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have. Whether it’s about underbite correction or other orthodontic treatments, I’m here to help. 

Have you ever had an underbite? Which type of treatment was the right choice for you?
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