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How Can You Fix an Underbite?

How Can You Fix an Underbite? Treatment Options & Solutions

Table of Contents:

If your lower front teeth sit in front of your upper teeth when you bite down, you may have an underbite. Also known as a Class III malocclusion, it can range from a minor tooth-position problem to a more noticeable difference in how the upper and lower jaws line up.
So, how can you fix an underbite? Treatment depends on what is causing the bite problem, your age, and how much correction is needed. Braces or clear aligners may help when tooth position is the main concern. Children who are still growing may have additional options, while adults with a significant jaw discrepancy may need a more comprehensive treatment plan.

Which Underbite Treatment May Be Right for You?

Before choosing treatment, a dentist or orthodontic provider needs to determine whether the underbite mainly involves tooth position, jaw development, or both. Two people can have underbites that look similar but require very different approaches.
What is contributing to the underbite?Treatment that may be considered
Teeth are out of position, but the jaws are relatively balancedBraces or clear aligners
Crowding limits proper tooth alignmentOrthodontic treatment, sometimes with extraction
A growing child has limited upper-jaw developmentGrowth-guiding orthodontic appliances
An adult has a significant jaw discrepancyOrthodontics with possible jaw surgery
Teeth and jaw position both contributeA combined treatment plan

Note: This table is a general guide rather than a diagnosis. The American Association of Orthodontists explains that underbite treatment depends on whether the problem is mainly dental, skeletal, or a combination of both. A complete bite evaluation is needed to determine which approach may be appropriate.

 

Can You Fix an Underbite Without Surgery?

Many underbites can be treated without surgery when tooth position is the main concern or when jaw growth can still be guided in children. Treatment may include braces, clear aligners, elastics, or growth-guiding appliances. Significant skeletal underbites may require additional treatment.

Can Braces Fix an Underbite?

Braces can gradually reposition the teeth and improve how the upper and lower teeth meet. They may be especially useful when an underbite occurs with crowding, spacing, or rotated teeth. However, braces cannot reposition fully developed jaw bones.

Can Clear Aligners Fix an Underbite?

Clear aligners may help correct mild to moderate underbites that mainly involve tooth position. Attachments or elastics may sometimes be added for greater control. More complex tooth movements or significant jaw discrepancies may require a different approach.

How Is an Underbite Treated in Children?

Children may have more treatment options because their jaws are still developing. In selected cases, treatment can use this remaining growth to improve how the upper and lower jaws relate to one another.
A palatal expander may be considered when the upper jaw is narrow. Some children may also benefit from reverse-pull headgear that helps guide upper-jaw development. The type and timing of treatment depend on the child’s bite and stage of growth.

An orthodontic evaluation is commonly recommended around age 7 because enough permanent teeth have usually emerged by then to identify developing bite concerns. This does not mean every child needs treatment at that age. Some children require early intervention, while others may simply be monitored until treatment becomes appropriate.

Regular pediatric dental visits can also help monitor how a child’s teeth and bite are developing, making it easier to identify underbite concerns that may need orthodontic evaluation.

How Is an Underbite Treated in Adults?

Adults can still receive treatment for an underbite even though jaw growth has generally finished. When tooth position causes most of the problem, braces or clear aligners may be able to improve the bite.
Some adults with a limited skeletal difference may also be treated by carefully repositioning the teeth to compensate for the jaw relationship. This is sometimes known as orthodontic camouflage. However, teeth can only be moved safely within the supporting bone.
When there is a substantial difference between the upper and lower jaws, orthodontic treatment alone may not provide the desired functional correction. These cases may require a combined orthodontic and surgical evaluation.

When Does an Underbite Need Jaw Surgery?

Corrective jaw surgery may be considered when jaw size or position creates an underbite that orthodontic treatment alone cannot adequately correct.
Also known as orthognathic surgery, the procedure changes the position of one or both jaws. Depending on the underlying problem, treatment may involve moving the upper jaw forward, repositioning the lower jaw, or adjusting both.
Surgical treatment is generally considered after jaw growth is complete. Orthodontic treatment often occurs before surgery to prepare the teeth and continues afterward to refine the bite.
Surgery Disclaimer: Jaw surgery is not appropriate or necessary for every underbite. Qualified dental and surgical professionals can determine the need for orthognathic surgery only after a detailed evaluation. Patients who may require surgical correction are typically referred to an orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for further assessment.

How Long Does Underbite Treatment Take?

Treatment time depends on the type and severity of the underbite, the patient’s age, and whether correction involves tooth movement, growth modification, or jaw surgery.
Treatment situation General timeline
Mild orthodontic correction Several months
More involved braces or clear aligner treatment Often around 12–24 months, depending on the case
Growth-guiding treatment in children Varies with growth stage and response
Orthodontics combined with jaw surgery May take 2 years or longer overall
Retention after treatment Ongoing as recommended
Note: These timelines are general estimates. Crowding, spacing, the amount of tooth movement required, and bite complexity can all affect treatment length.
Patient cooperation also matters. Clear aligners, elastics, retainers, and removable appliances need to be worn as directed. After active orthodontic treatment, retainers are usually recommended to help maintain the new tooth positions.

How Do Dentists Choose the Right Underbite Treatment?

Choosing the right treatment involves more than looking at the front teeth. A dentist or orthodontic provider evaluates how the entire bite functions and how the teeth relate to the jaws.
The assessment may include:
  • Tooth position and spacing: Whether crowding, rotation, or tooth position contributes to the bite.
  • Bite relationship: How the upper and lower teeth meet when the mouth closes.
  • Jaw position: Whether the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both contribute to the underbite.
  • Remaining growth: How much jaw development is still expected in children and teenagers.
  • Functional concerns: Whether the bite contributes to tooth wear or difficulty chewing or speaking.
X-rays, photographs, impressions, or digital scans may also be used when more detail is needed. These findings help determine whether correction can be achieved mainly by moving the teeth or whether the jaw relationship also needs attention.

Find the Right Treatment for Your Underbite

The right way to treat an underbite depends on its cause and severity. Braces or clear aligners may be suitable when tooth position is the main concern, while children may have treatment options that take advantage of remaining jaw growth. More significant skeletal differences may require a broader approach.
A detailed bite evaluation can identify what is contributing to the underbite and help determine a treatment plan that considers function, oral health, and long-term stability.

Schedule an Underbite Evaluation in Charleston, SC

If you are concerned about your bite or your child’s developing underbite, schedule a consultation with Ammons Dental by Design West Ashley. The team can evaluate how the teeth and jaws come together, explain suitable treatment options, and recommend specialist care when appropriate.

Call (843) 305-8403 to schedule your visit at 1014 St Andrews Blvd, Suite 210 B-1, Charleston, SC 29407.

FAQs

How can you fix an underbite without surgery?
Many dental underbites can be treated with braces, clear aligners, elastics, or other orthodontic methods. Growing children may also benefit from appliances that guide jaw development. Significant skeletal underbites may require additional evaluation.
Yes. Underbite treatment is available for both children and adults. Children may have more growth-related options, while adult treatment usually focuses on orthodontic tooth movement or, for significant jaw discrepancies, a combined orthodontic and surgical approach.

Veneers and dental bonding can improve the shape and appearance of teeth, but they do not reposition the jaws or correct a significant bite problem. They may be considered for chipped, worn, or uneven teeth after the bite has been evaluated, but they should not replace orthodontic treatment when the underbite affects how the teeth come together.

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