Re: How well can underbite be corrected?

markliu1989@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
My son will be 7 years old soon. He has an underbite problem
inherited from his mom, who inherited from her mom.

My son's mom has been correcting her underbite for the past 2 years
with an orthodontist. I sorta think what her ortho did was simply
lifting the upper teeth a little so that they go outside of the bottom
teeth. Right now, her bite looks OK, but the problem is that one can
still notice that her lower lip protrudes beyond the upper lip.

The following is a close-up shot of my son's teeth, from which you can
see his underbite problem.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/2227819296_b92a17f3d5_o.jpg

Given the result of my wife's ortho treatment, I am concerned about my
son's underbite. Judging from his underbite condition, how well do
you think it can be corrected? I am concerned if the only treatment
is to lift this upper incisors such that they go outside of the bottom
incisors. Because that does not seem to help in retracting the lower
lip, although it does seem to superficially correct the bite.

I think it would be helpful to somehow move the bottom teeth backwards
(towards the throat), instead of lifting the upper teeth.

You guys see my concern? Could anyone of you please shed some light?
Thank you very much.

BTW, should my so go see an ortho, given that he is only less than 7
years old?


It's tough to tell from the photo. Orthodontists look at these situations and evaluate as to whether the problem is primarily the tooth position, a problem of growth and development of the facial bones, or a combination of both. I have seen this kind of problem run in families, and the classic example is the "Hapsburg jaw" which affected many members of that royal family.
Your son is in a better position as a child to get a successful orthodontic result even if there is a skeletal component to the problem, because growth is on your side. Sometimes adults with discrepencies in growth of the jaws need surgery as well as orthodontic treatment to fully correct the situation.
Your son should be seen by an orthodontist to discuss treatment options.

Steve

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001
.

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