Underbite
This is present when the upper front adult teeth bite inside the lower front adult teeth and often occurs when there is a discrepancy in the growth in length between the top and bottom jaws.
Underbite Examples
Often the treatment involves widening the top jaw to correct the discrepancy in width between the top and bottom jaws. It also creates more bone and space for the alignment of the teeth.
This is usually carried out using an expansion plate bonded to the upper back teeth and braces placed across the upper six front teeth.
EXPANSION PLATE
Headgear is also usually attached to the expander plate and worn at nights for sleeping. The headgear corrects the discrepancies in length between the top and bottom jaws.