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Underbite

West LA Orthodontics Jonathan Shouhed, DDS Our Services Underbite
Jonathan Shouhed, DDS - - Orthodontist

West LA Orthodontics

Jonathan Shouhed, DDS

Orthodontist located in Culver City, West Los Angeles, CA

An underbite can hold you back from wanting to share your smile with the world, and can even lead to a number of oral health problems. At West LA Orthodontics in Los Angeles, Jonathan Shouhed, DDS, fixes underbites in order to improve his patients’ smiles, oral health, and quality of life. To learn more about what Dr. Shouhed can do for your underbite at his Culver City area office, call to schedule an appointment today or use the online booking tool.

Underbite Q & A

What is an underbite?

An underbite is a type of malocclusion, which is a condition where your teeth don’t properly align when you bite down. In an underbite, the lower teeth extend farther outward than the upper teeth, leading to a bulldog-like appearance of the mouth.

What causes an underbite?

The alignment of your teeth is dependent on a variety of factors, so there are many different ways that you can develop an underbite. Some of the more common causes include:

Genetics

Genetics is the most common cause of underbites. The shape of your jaw and teeth are genetically inherited traits, and people with teeth that are crowded, abnormally shaped, or impacted have a higher risk of developing an underbite.

Childhood habits

Underbites can develop in response to bad oral habits that take place while your teeth and jaw are still growing. Some habits that can lead to an underbite include:

  • Tongue thrusting - pushing your tongue against the back of your front teeth
  • Thumb sucking or pacifier use beyond the age of three
  • Bottle-feeding after infancy

Physical trauma

Severe injuries to your face can affect the alignment of your bite and jawbone. Even if you have your jaw surgically repaired, you can develop an underbite if it heals out of alignment.

Tumors

Tumors in the jawbone or mouth can cause an underbite by forcing the jaw to protrude.

Why should I correct my underbite?

Treating your underbite at West LA Orthodontics can result in a number of benefits to your oral health and quality of life, such as:

  • Greater ease cleaning your teeth and reduced risk of tooth decay and gum disease
  • Easier time eating and speaking properly
  • Decreased stress on your teeth, jaws, and facial muscles and lower risk of developing TMJ disorder or breaking a tooth

Many patients also choose to treat their underbite to simply improve the appearance of their smile.

How do you treat an underbite?

Dr. Shouhed can treat your underbite at West LA Orthodontics with:

  • Braces
  • Invisalign® clear plastic aligners
  • The Carriere® Motion 3D™ Appliance
  • Corrective jaw surgery
  • A micro-implant assisted rapid palatal expander

Don’t wait any longer to fix your underbite. Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Shouhed at West LA Orthodontics by calling the office or booking a visit online.

Services Offered at West LA Orthodontics