Underbite

What are Underbites?

An underbite is a misalignment where the lower front teeth extend beyond the upper front teeth when the mouth is closed, often caused by the lower jaw protruding or the upper jaw being underdeveloped. It’s also called Class III malocclusion or prognathism. Underbites can range from mild to severe, impacting appearance, function, and oral health. Early evaluation gives more treatment options and often reduces complexity later.

How does it happen?

1 Genetics

Many underbites arise because of inherited jaw size or growth direction—large mandible or small/maxillary that grow differently than average.

2Dental Factors

Early tooth loss, tooth crowding, or mis-erupted teeth can exacerbate underbite by shifting bite relationships .

3 Jaw Trauma

Injuries during developmental years can disturb jaw alignment, leading to an underbite if bones heal improperly.

4Medical Anomalies

Tumors in jaw or facial regions, or congenital anomalies, may shift jaw growth or tooth position, causing or worsening underbite.

What are its side effects?

Cross bite correction

Difficulty Chewing & Biting

Because teeth don’t meet correctly, biting into food and chewing efficiently can become difficult.

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TMJ Pain

Misaligned jaw closure adds stress to the temporomandibular joint, causing discomfort, clicking, or headaches.

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Tooth Wear & Damage

Unequal forces lead to chipping, enamel erosion, and uneven wear on front and back teeth.

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Speech Impairments

An underbite may cause lisps or difficulty pronouncing sounds like “s,” “z,” and “f.”

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Breathing Issues

Severe underbites may contribute to mouth breathing, snoring, or even obstructive sleep apnea.

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Psychosocial Impact

A pronounced lower jaw or concave facial profile can lead to self-consciousness, affecting social interactions and confidence.

How can it be fixed?

At AQR Orthodontics (Jumeirah), led by Dr. Abdul Qadir, treatment is personalized after a full assessment. Typical pathways include:

In growing children, treatment aims to guide jaw development. Tools include reverse-pull facemask (protraction facemask), palate expanders, partial braces on select teeth, functional appliances (e.g. chin cups), and habit modification (tongue thrust, thumbs). These are most effective when started early.

Teen patients may still use orthodontic appliances such as full braces (metal or ceramic) or clear aligners for dental underbite correction when mild, often augmented with elastics, temporary anchorage devices (TADs), and jaw expansion (if growth remains).

For adults with skeletal underbites, combined orthodontics and orthognathic (jaw) surgery is usually required to reposition jaws. Dental correction alone (braces or aligners) may work for mild cases, but retention and relapse risk are higher.
Dr AQR

Why choose AQR Orthodontics in Jumeirah?

1Expert Diagnosis

We distinguish whether your underbite is skeletal or dental, enabling more accurate, effective treatment planning.

23D Treatment Planning

Using advanced imaging, 3D scans, and virtual simulations ensures your underbite correction is predictable and customized.

3Treatment For All Ages

Whether you’re a child, teen, or adult, we offer braces, aligners, functional appliances, and surgical options tailored to your stage of growth and need.

4Focus On Form, Function & Stability

We aim not just for cosmetic improvement but for bite function, facial harmony, and minimizing relapse with proper retention and support.

Treatments we offer (bite-focused)

Transforming Smiles with Expert Orthodontist in Jumeirah, Dubai

Ready to fix an Underbite?

Book a consultation at AQR Orthodontics, Jumeirah (Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2) with Dr. AQR. We’ll assess whether early guidance, aligners/braces, or surgical orthodontics is the most efficient, aesthetic, and stable path for your smile.

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