There are ways to treat individuals with overbites and underbites non-surgically. The first real question to consider is why did this misaligned bite happen in the first place? Most often, there is something that corrupted or interfered with normal jaw development. These issues must be addressed before or during treatment as soon as possible. In the following case, airway breathing issues that impaired normal jaw alignment and growth. Both had multiple orthodontic consults in which no airway, sleep, or TMJ evaluation was considered, only the teeth.
This case shows an Underbite on a 15 year old who was told he needs braces and jaw surgery. No mention of his sleep issues, breathing, poor tongue posture, or neck posture was mentioned. There are other options to correct this case non-surgically and change this young man’s life. The photo shows the tonsils blocking the airway and the CBCT shows the forward neck posture and corrupted jaw development and growth due to mouth breathing and subsequent low tongue posture. It is imperative to help this young man breathe and sleep. Treatment can then begin with jaw development or jaw growth appliances to change his corrupted growth pattern.
It is interesting to note his siblings do not have this issue and have normal jaw development. They were also breastfed and do not have allergies contributing to the airway and sleep issues. Airway and oxygen are essential to facial and overall growth
If you have any questions regarding TMJ or Non-surgical underbite or overbite correction, please feel free to contact our office, Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF, FIAPA, 713-668-2289.
