An underbite, clinically known as Class III malocclusion, is a condition where the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth when the mouth is closed. This misalignment differs from a normal bite, where the upper teeth slightly overlap the lower teeth. People often seek non-invasive options to correct this condition. This article explores the nature of underbites and investigates the effectiveness of “natural” correction methods, providing context on when these approaches might be viable and when professional intervention is necessary.
Understanding the Underbite
An underbite is classified as either dental or skeletal in origin. A dental underbite involves misaligned teeth, where the upper teeth are angled inward or the lower teeth are angled outward, but the jawbones are in relatively normal positions. This type is the mildest and most responsive to less invasive treatments.
A skeletal underbite involves the jaw structure, typically occurring when the lower jaw (mandible) grows too much, or the upper jaw (maxilla) does not grow enough. Genetics play a substantial role in determining jaw size and shape, making skeletal underbites often inherited and more challenging to correct without professional intervention. Other contributing factors can include childhood habits like prolonged thumb sucking, chronic mouth breathing, or a constant tongue thrust against the lower teeth.
The Limits of Natural Correction
The feasibility of fixing an underbite naturally is highly dependent on the patient’s age. For adults, whose skeletal structure is fixed, significant correction of a true skeletal underbite through non-appliance methods is generally not possible. Natural methods primarily rely on influencing soft tissues and muscles, which cannot remodel a fully developed jawbone.
The term “natural fix” is most applicable to very young children whose facial and jaw bones are still developing. In these interceptive cases, habits that contribute to the underbite, such as tongue thrusting, can be corrected to guide more favorable growth patterns. However, a pronounced skeletal discrepancy often requires mechanical guidance, like orthopedic appliances, to exert the necessary force on the bone. Relying solely on exercises for anything beyond a very minor dental misalignment or a functional shift (where the patient shifts the jaw forward to avoid an uncomfortable bite) is unlikely to yield substantial, lasting results.
Myofunctional Approaches and Facial Training
Myofunctional therapy focuses on retraining the muscles of the mouth and face to ensure proper function and resting posture. For underbite correction, the goal is often to correct improper tongue posture, encouraging the tongue to rest against the palate (roof of the mouth) instead of pushing against the lower front teeth. Resting the tongue low or forward can exert subtle pressure that contributes to the development or worsening of a dental underbite.
Exercises are typically designed to strengthen the tongue and retrain swallowing patterns, known as orofacial myofunctional training. This involves practicing the correct resting position where the entire tongue is suctioned to the palate. Other exercises may focus on improving lip seal and nasal breathing, as chronic mouth breathing can negatively influence jaw development. While these exercises can be a valuable supplement to professional treatment, they are rarely sufficient to correct a moderate to severe underbite on their own.
Professional Interventions
Professional intervention offers established, effective options. For children, interceptive orthodontics guides the developing jaws into better alignment during the growth phase. Devices like a reverse-pull headgear, or facemask, apply a gentle, forward-pulling force to the upper jaw, encouraging it to catch up in growth with the lower jaw.
Other appliances, such as palatal expanders, may be used to widen a narrow upper jaw, creating space and improving the bite relationship. For adolescents and adults, standard orthodontic treatments like traditional braces or clear aligners are effective for correcting dental underbites and mild to moderate skeletal issues. Severe skeletal underbites, where the jaw discrepancy is too large for orthodontics alone, may ultimately require orthognathic surgery to reposition the jawbones.