We all inherit certain genetic traits from our biological parents – the shape of our faces, eye color, height, mannerisms, and even the sound of our voices. If we’re lucky, we get all the good stuff, like mom’s smarts and beautiful eyes and dad’s curly hair and natural athleticism. Of course, we may also inherit Aunt Hilda’s overbite, but not to worry. There’s an app for that! Well, maybe not an app, but a really great orthodontist.

The truth is that many things can cause misaligned bites. Genetics is one of them, but losing your baby teeth too early, sucking your thumb, or even an injury can cause a misaligned jaw, which can affect your bite. The good news is that this can almost always be corrected.

Reasons for a fix

An underbite or overbite, especially if coupled with crooked teeth, can do a number on a person’s self-esteem. Keeping your teeth clean can also be a challenge. Even dental floss is no match for food that gets trapped in between overlapping teeth or in other hard-to-reach places. If left there for too long, we’re talking tooth decay, gingivitis, or worse. Plus, depending on the severity of your bite, chewing can be difficult. You can also strain your teeth and the muscles in your jaw, causing pain and putting you at risk of breaking a tooth. This is no fun and good reason to get started on the fix.

Getting started

The first step is to visit a dental professional, or discuss your concerns at your next scheduled cleaning. Your dentist will evaluate your overall oral health and recommend an orthodontist if he or she thinks treatment may be needed. In the case of fixing a bite, the sooner you see an orthodontist, the better. While it’s never too late to get the smile of your dreams, the process is less invasive for children than adults.

Brace yourself

In addition to fixing crooked or overcrowded teeth, one of the most common reasons people get braces is to correct overbites and underbites. The good news is that braces work faster than ever and are virtually painless thanks to the low-friction technology invented by Dr. James TenBrook, an award-winning orthodontist with locations throughout South Jersey.

The TenBrook T1 system keeps the force exerted on your teeth to a minimum – about 1/5 of what you would experience with a traditional bracket system. That means no more painful wire tightening. Instead, T1 braces use a series of high-efficiency, nickel titanium archwires that are clinically proven to move teeth quickly and comfortably. What typically takes at least two years can now be done in less than one. The T1 system works 24-hours a day, seven days a week to perfectly align your teeth. Every minute counts.

When your bite is right

Before you know it, your bite will be right. The edges of your upper front teeth will be parallel to the top of your lower lip. Dr. TenBrook will also make sure your teeth are arched and aligned properly from the inside. From the side, the pointed ends of the top teeth should fit like a glove between two teeth in the bottom. In addition, the backs of the upper front teeth will be ever-so-gently touching the front part of the lower ones.