A protruding jaw not only affects the aesthetic beauty of the face but also impacts chewing ability, causing daily eating difficulties. So, can braces be used to correct a protruding jaw? This article will provide detailed information on orthodontic methods for people with a protruding jaw, along with other widely applied options today. We invite readers to learn more to gain useful knowledge.
What is an Overbite/Protruding Upper Jaw?
An overbite of the upper jaw is a condition where the upper jaw protrudes, when the upper jaw develops excessively compared to the lower jaw, or both jaws develop excessively, leading to malocclusion, an imbalance in facial bone structure, and seriously affecting overall aesthetics.
This condition accounts for a large proportion of jaw protrusion cases and can be easily identified through signs of an overbite, such as:
- Obvious gummy smile;
- Front teeth protrude forward, making it difficult for the upper lip to close;
- When viewed from the side, the upper jaw/mouth visibly protrudes significantly;
- In severe cases of upper jaw protrusion, you may not be able to close your mouth tightly, or seal your mouth muscles in a normal state even when the lip muscles are completely relaxed.
An overbite of the upper jaw is not only aesthetically unpleasing but also makes many people feel self-conscious when communicating, smiling, and talking – negatively impacting their quality of life and mental well-being.
Based on causes and manifestations, upper jaw protrusion is divided into 3 common types, which helps determine the appropriate treatment method:
Dental protrusion: In this case, the jawbone is not protruded; only the teeth stick out forward due to misaligned tooth axes.
Skeletal protrusion: The jawbone protrudes significantly forward, making the face appear convex, but the tooth axes are straight and do not lean forward much.
Combined skeletal and dental protrusion: The face appears very convex when viewed from the side, due to both the jawbone protruding forward and the tooth axes significantly tilting outward.
Each type of upper jaw protrusion requires an accurate diagnosis by a specialist to create a specific treatment plan, which may include braces, jaw surgery, or a combination of both methods.
Causes of an Overbite/Protruding Upper Jaw
An overbite of the upper jaw is a fairly common condition that can affect the patient’s aesthetics and chewing function. According to maxillofacial specialists, the causes of an upper jaw overbite stem from various factors, including:
Genetics plays a major role: Approximately 70% of upper jaw overbite cases are inherited from parents or grandparents. When a family member has had it, the incidence in descendants is significantly higher, as jawbone and tooth structures are often inherited genetically.
Nutrition during the tooth eruption phase is an undeniable factor. The important role of nutrition is evident when children lack calcium, vitamins, or minerals, thereby affecting the process of tooth eruption and development. When teeth erupt unevenly or in incorrect positions, the risk of crooked teeth or teeth overlapping increases, exacerbating the upper jaw overbite.
Bad habits during the tooth eruption phase are also a potential cause. Prolonged use of pacifiers, tongue thrusting, or thumb sucking can affect jawbone development, alter tooth eruption direction, and cause an upper jaw overbite.
Imbalanced jawbone development is another common cause. When the jawbone develops excessively, it leads to an imbalance between the upper and lower jaws, thereby causing an upper jaw overbite.
Can an Overbite/Protruding Upper Jaw Be Corrected with Braces?
Braces are considered one of the most popular treatment techniques for upper jaw protrusion, chosen by many today. However, the effectiveness of treating an upper jaw overbite will vary depending on the specific degree and type of protrusion.
Can braces improve a protruding jaw? If the protrusion is dental, meaning teeth are misaligned and stick out, then braces are highly effective. They help pull the front teeth backward and straighten their axes, thereby correcting uneven tooth eruption and significantly improving facial aesthetics.
Conversely, if the protrusion is due to skeletal structure, especially in severe cases, braces are still effective but to a limited extent. Cases of mild protrusion can significantly improve if treated with braces between the ages of 6–12, when the jawbone is still developing, yielding very high effectiveness and even complete correction without surgical intervention.
For skeletal protrusion, braces often show less improvement because they do not affect the jaw structure. In these cases, surgical intervention is needed to reposition the jawbone and teeth for higher surgical effectiveness.
In cases of combined skeletal and dental protrusion, braces only help to straighten the tooth axes and cannot completely treat the combined protrusion. At this point, only jaw surgery for combined skeletal and dental protrusion will provide comprehensive effectiveness, because if only braces are used, their effectiveness for combined protrusion is not high.
Effective and Safe Methods for Correcting an Upper Jaw Overbite Today
An upper jaw overbite is a common condition that causes facial imbalance and affects chewing function. So, can an upper jaw overbite be corrected with braces? The answer is yes, and braces are an effective method to fix a protruding upper jaw without surgical intervention.
Currently, in dentistry, there are two common orthodontic techniques applied to treat an upper jaw overbite, including:
Braces for Upper Jaw Overbite using Brackets
This is a traditional method that uses brackets, archwires, and orthodontic appliances to create pulling forces, helping teeth move to the desired position according to the doctor’s treatment plan. Based on needs and tooth condition, patients can choose different brackets, including:
- Ceramic braces: With the advantage of being tooth-colored, they enhance aesthetics during the bracing process. However, disadvantages include higher cost, less strong pulling force, and susceptibility to breaking or chipping when chewing vigorously.
- Metal braces: Are a more affordable option with high durability and good pulling force, providing quick results. However, due to their less aesthetic appearance and tendency to cause pain, gum irritation, and cheek abrasions, they are less preferred by adults who prioritize aesthetics.
Depending on the degree of tooth protrusion and financial conditions, the doctor will advise on the appropriate upper jaw overbite treatment method to ensure optimal treatment effectiveness.
Invisalign Braces
Invisalign is a modern orthodontic method that uses clear aligners, offering many outstanding advantages. The aligners are custom-designed for each dental arch, ensuring sufficient force is applied to move the teeth, thereby effectively improving an upper jaw overbite.
Outstanding advantages:
- High aesthetics due to clear aligners, which are barely noticeable when worn.
- Removable, allowing users to easily eat and maintain oral hygiene.
- Provides optimal effectiveness in treating mild to moderate protrusion cases.
However, the cost of Invisalign is higher than other methods, suitable for those who demand high aesthetics and convenience.
How to Care for Your Oral Health When Wearing Braces for Protrusion
During the process of correcting a protruding jaw with braces, proper oral care plays a crucial role in protecting oral health and avoiding risks related to orthodontic appliances. Here are important notes to help prevent brackets from falling off, wires from breaking, or teeth from experiencing sensitivity throughout the treatment.
Prioritize soft, easy-to-chew foods like porridge, soup, steamed eggs, etc., and limit overly chewy, hard, hot, or cold foods to avoid affecting the brace system.You need to brush your teeth at least twice a day, combine it with flossing, using a water flosser, and mouthwash after meals. This helps increase oral cleaning effectiveness, prevent cavities, gum inflammation, and periodontitis – common oral diseases when wearing braces.If you need mini-implants, pay attention to regular cleaning of the implants to prevent gum overgrowth, avoid mini-implant loss, and ensure long-term orthodontic effectiveness.Don’t forget to schedule regular check-ups with your doctor so they can monitor tooth movement and promptly address any risks. This step is essential for achieving optimal bracing results.
After braces treatment, you need to wear a retainer continuously as prescribed by your doctor to prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions and to maintain long-term aesthetic results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Protruding Jaw Be Corrected with Braces?
Can a protruding jaw be corrected with braces? This is a common question for many people facing the aesthetically unpleasing condition of a protruding upper jaw. In reality, braces are considered an effective solution for jaw protrusion in many cases, but not everyone is suitable.
If the degree of protrusion stems from misaligned teeth (also known as dental protrusion), then braces will be highly effective. This method helps pull the teeth inwards, aligning them with the lower jaw’s bite, significantly improving both aesthetics and chewing function.
However, in cases of skeletal protrusion or combined dental and skeletal protrusion, braces may not be as effective as desired. In such situations, the doctor will recommend jaw surgery to adjust the jawbone structure to the correct position, helping to achieve a more harmonious face. After surgery, the patient will undergo post-surgical braces to thoroughly correct the jaw protrusion in both form and function.
Are Braces Effective for a Protruding Jaw?
Are braces effective for a protruding jaw? This is a question many people are interested in when facing tooth protrusion or jaw protrusion due to bone structure. According to My Auris Dental Clinic, braces are one of the popular methods for improving jaw protrusion, highly regarded for their safety and effectiveness in treatment.
In fact, modern orthodontic techniques can effectively resolve skeletal protrusion in many cases, especially when the doctor determines whether braces are suitable based on whether the protrusion is dental or skeletal. From there, an appropriate braces treatment plan is established.
- If the protrusion is dental, braces effectively correct tooth protrusion, improving aesthetics, bite, and providing a harmonious aesthetic smile.
- If jaw protrusion is related to bone structure, braces still provide good results in non-severe cases. Particularly, when treated between the ages of 6–12, the jawbone is still developing, so minor skeletal protrusion can be completely corrected without surgical intervention.
However, for extremely severe cases of jaw protrusion, jaw surgery may be a necessary option to adjust the jawbone structure.
Is Tooth Extraction Necessary for Braces to Correct a Protruding Jaw?
Is tooth extraction necessary for braces to correct a protruding jaw? This is a question many people ask when preparing for orthodontic treatment. In reality, tooth extraction is not always required for braces. Extraction is only indicated in a few specific cases, based on a thorough assessment by the doctor.
During the treatment of a protruding jaw with braces, the doctor may consider recommending the extraction of tooth number 4 or 5 – these are small molars with less chewing function – to create effective space for tooth movement.
Cases where tooth extraction should be considered for braces:
- Teeth are crowded and overlapping, while the dental arch is narrow and cannot be expanded to create space. In such cases, extracting tooth number 4 or 5 helps create ideal space for even tooth alignment.
- When teeth protrude excessively, especially in the upper jaw, the doctor will need to create space to pull the teeth inward by extracting appropriate teeth.
However, the decision of whether to extract a tooth depends on each specific case and cannot be universally applied. In some cases, jaw expansion methods can be used to widen the dental arch, serving as an alternative to tooth extraction.
How Long Does It Take to Correct an Upper Jaw Overbite with Braces?
The duration of braces for a protruding jaw primarily depends on the extent of the jaw protrusion and each individual’s oral health. After examination and necessary tests, the doctor will provide a suitable treatment plan and inform you of the specific orthodontic duration. Typically, the braces process for protrusion can last from 18 to 24 months. However, in some cases, the bracing period may be longer or shorter, depending on the complexity of the oral condition and the body’s response during treatment. When the treatment plan concludes, orthodontics will be complete, helping you achieve well-aligned and beautiful teeth.
Is Correcting an Upper Jaw Overbite with Braces Painful?
In the initial phase of braces for a protruding jaw, you may experience discomfort due to the pulling force from the archwire aiming to move the teeth. Additionally, metal appliances can rub against the cheek area, causing soreness. However, you will find this condition gradually improves after about 2 – 3 weeks.
For the Invisalign orthodontic method, you will have a more comfortable bracing experience. Although you might feel a slight soreness initially, this sensation usually only lasts for about 1-2 days.
