An underbite occurs when your lower teeth close over the top of your upper teeth. Underbites can cause difficulty chewing and speaking. Caused by a misalignment of the jaw, an underbite can be corrected with a range of treatments to improve your comfort and appearance.

Symptoms of an Underbite

Do You Have Issues Eating or Speaking? An underbite can interfere with normal daily activities, including chewing and speaking.
Do You Suffer from Chronic Pain? For some patients, underbites cause chronic jaw pain, as well as head and earaches.
Do You Have Breathing Difficulties? Underbites can also affect your breathing, causing chronic bad breath, sleep apnea, and snoring.

What Causes an Underbite?

Genetics can play a major role in whether you develop an underbite. If one of your parents or grandparents had an underbite, there is a much larger chance that you will, too. In addition, certain ethnic groups are more likely to develop underbites, including those of Asian descent. A famous example of the genetic nature of this trait is the "Habsburg jaw." Many generations of the royal Habsburg family in Europe were known for their distinctive protruding lower jaws, which are believed to have been the result of an underbite.

What Else can Contribute to an Underbite?

Some factors, or habits can cause an underbite, such as:

Tongue Thrusting—constant thrusting of the tongue against the teeth can move your smile out of position and cause an underbite.
Childhood Habits—habits such as thumb sucking and pacifier use in early childhood can also affect the way the jaw develops.
Mouth Breathing—breathing through your mouth forces the tongue to rest against the lower jaw and increases the chance of an underbite.

What do I do if I Suspect I have an Underbite?

Underbites are much less common than overbites. According to the Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research, only about one percent of the worlds population develop underbites.

In most cases, an underbite is easy to identify with a simple visual exam. However, your dentist or orthodontist will likely perform a complete evaluation of your teeth and jaw to determine the severity of your condition. During the appointment, your dentist may take x-rays, photographs, and impressions to examine the specific relationship between your teeth, jaws, and head.

How can I Prevent an Underbite from Forming?

Early intervention may help a child avoid an underbite, such as:

Limit Pacifier and Bottle Use—parents of young children can help their child's jaw form properly by limiting their pacifier and bottle use. Speak to your doctor or a dentist about the best time to begin this process.
Treat Mouth Breathing—if you notice your child snores or breathes through their mouth, you may be able to prevent issues in jaw development by treating these concerns early.

Treatments Options for an Underbite

Braces

The most commonly used treatment for underbites and other bite issues is orthodontics. Metal braces can adjust the position of teeth and improve jaw alignment to address an underbite.

Aligners

For minor underbites, clear aligners, such as Invisalign®, can provide results.

Special Appliances

Devices, such as expanders, retainers, or headgear, may be used to treat an underbite.

Surgery

Severe underbites may require surgery. However, jaw surgery is typically only performed as a last resort.

In its most severe form, the Class III malocclusion can be functionally and/or socially debilitating.

Family History and Genetics of Mandibular Prognathism

Depending on the severity, an underbite can have a serious impact on your oral health and quality of life. Scheduling an appointment is the best way to find out whether you need treatment.

Underbite