Skip to content
Koch Orthodontics Logo
Koth Orthodontics Logo
  • (770) 962-9560
  • Patient Forms
  • Refer a Patient
  • Our Practice
    • About us
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Our Doctors
    • Meet Our Team
    • Community Involvement
    • Sponsorships
    • Career Opportunities
    • Patient Reviews
  • Braces
    • Types Of Braces
    • Braces For Kids
    • Braces For Teens
    • Braces For Adults
    • Braces FAQ
  • Invisalign
    • What Is Invisalign?
    • Invisalign For Kids
    • Invisalign For Teens
    • Invisalign For Adults
    • Invisalign FAQ
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • About Our Treatment
    • Orthodontic FAQ
    • Common Orthodontic Issues
    • Patient Care Instructions
    • Koch’s Kids Club
    • Patient Portal
    • Refer a Patient
    • Financial Information
    • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Free Consult
Free Consult
Koch Orthodontics Logo
  • Our Practice
    • About us
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Our Doctors
    • Meet Our Team
    • Community Involvement
    • Sponsorships
    • Career Opportunities
    • Patient Reviews
  • Braces
    • Types Of Braces
    • Braces For Kids
    • Braces For Teens
    • Braces For Adults
    • Braces FAQ
  • Invisalign
    • What Is Invisalign?
    • Invisalign For Kids
    • Invisalign For Teens
    • Invisalign For Adults
    • Invisalign FAQ
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • About Our Treatment
    • Orthodontic FAQ
    • Common Orthodontic Issues
    • Patient Care Instructions
    • Koch’s Kids Club
    • Patient Portal
    • Refer a Patient
    • Financial Information
    • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • (770) 962-9560
  • Patient Portal
  • Refer a Patient
  • Español
Free Consult
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Everything You Need to Know About Underbite

A Smile Can Change Everything

Prognathism
  • Koch Orthodontics
  • | Mar 24, 2020
Smiling is the first thing people notice in you. If you feel good about your smile, you will radiate confidence. However, many people are conscious about their smiles due to dental issues. One such issue is an underbite. This is an orthodontic condition that can affect you physically and mentally. Let’s learn more about it.

What is an Underbite?

An underbite is a dental condition where the lower teeth sit further than the upper teeth. This condition is classified as Class III malocclusion and causes pain and discomfort. Many even feel conscious of the underbite which affects their confidence level.

Some cases of underbite are mild and nearly unnoticeable while others are quite severe where the lower teeth extend far forward.

It is more than just a cosmetic issue. Severe cases require treatment as they may cause oral health problems like:

  • Mouth and face pain due to jaw misalignment
  • Difficulty in biting and chewing
  • Challenges with speaking

What Causes Underbite?

Several factors can lead to an underbite. Here are some underbite causes:

Stop your kid from prolonged thumb sucking, extended pacifier use, pushing on teeth with their tongue and long-term bottle feeding.

These childhood habits may increase the risk of developing an underbite.

In most cases, an underbite is inherited. If at least one other person in your family has it, you are more likely to get it. Genetics also play a role in deciding a person’s jaw, tooth shape, and size.

Any kind of injury to the face may cause permanent damage to the jawbones. Though it is possible to repair the broken jawbones, they may not always fit together properly after being surgically realigned. This may cause an underbite.

A tumor on the jawbone or in the mouth may cause the jaw to protrude. This results in an underbite.

What Issues Does an Underbite Cause?

The problems associated with an underbite can range from mild to severe depending on the degree of the underbite. The complications can affect both physical and mental health.

Chronic jaw pain or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) is a common side effect. Your jaw will feel ‘locked’ or ‘stuck’ and result in popping sensations. It causes considerable pain in the jaw. Some side effects of TMJ include toothaches, headaches, dizziness, and earaches.

These are a few problems associated with an underbite:

  • Bad Childhood Habits
  • Genetics
  • Injury
  • Eating and chewing difficulties
  • Halitosis and bacterial infections
  • Chronic mouth breathing
  • Speech Issues
  • Sleep apnea and snoring
  • Tooth decay from excessive wear of tooth enamel

Apart from physical issues, an underbite can affect a person mentally and psychologically. They might suffer from low self-esteem and confidence.

Thankfully, an underbite is easy to spot and doctors can fix it. Underbite correction is possible at any age and for any level of severity.

How to Correct Underbite?

There are severe underbite treatment methods that can correct an underbite.

Underbite braces or clear aligners can also correct milder cases. Sometimes, surgery and clear aligners may be recommended together to repair an underbite.

  • Upper Jaw Expander: This is a wire-frame device that is fitted across the patient’s palate. Every night, a special key is used to widen the expander by a little. This process will gradually cause the upper jaw to widen until the lower underbite teeth no longer protrude out. You would usually wear the expander for about a year and then use a retainer. This is used for young patients like kids and pre-teenagers.
  • Reverse-Pull Face Mask: This is another solution for young patients and looks like a brace headgear. It wraps around the child’s head and pulls the upper jaw back into the right position. It uses metal bands fastened to the upper back teeth.
  • Underbite Surgery: In extreme cases or for older patients, underbite surgery is recommended. It reshapes and shortens the lower jaw. In some cases, the upper law can also be lengthened to cover the lower teeth. Screws, plates, and wires may be used to maintain the proper shape of the jawbone. Underbite jaw surgery comes with some risks such as infection, scarring, and general anesthesia.
  • Cosmetic Approach: This is an underbite correction without surgery where the orthodontists reshape the lower teeth. After that veneers are fitted to the upper teeth. This method doesn’t necessarily solve the problem but it makes the underbite less prominent and improves the jaw functionality sufficiently.
Favicon

request an appointment

Get Started Today

Today is a great day to get started with orthodontic treatment. Simply request a free consultation below to take your next step!

Request Free Consult
PATIENT REVIEWS

Our 5-Star Experience

Check out what our patients are saying about their experience with our amazing doctors and team!

read More
carrie J.
Everyone here made us feel special and at ease. They are clean and knowledgeable and we enjoyed our time together.
Response from the owner:Hi Carrie! Thank you so much for the kind review! We love those smiles!!!
Ava M.
Been coming here for around 3 years they have good service , very nice workers , and they’ve made my teeth look really good!
Response from the owner:Hi Ava! Thank you for being a part of our KO family for the past 3 years! We are so glad that you have had a great experience with our team and love your smile!
Brittani M.
We've been coming here for about 2.5yrs. All 3 of my older girls have braces. Everyone has always been so nice and welcoming. Very pleased with the services here.
Response from the owner:Hi Brittani! Thank you so much for trusting us with your girl's smiles! We are so glad you've felt welcomed by our team and are pleased with the care. It has been a joy to be a part of their orthodontic journey!
Aaron C.
This is my third kid to get braces at Koch Orthodontics. They have always, and continue to, provide excellent service and superior orthodontic care!
Response from the owner:Hi Aaron! Wow! Third kid with a KO smile!!!! That makes us so happy! Thank you for trusting us with your family's care.
Aniya A.
Very nice and clean office they did my braces and took very good care of me.
Response from the owner:Hi Aniya! Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We are so grateful to have a team that truly values making each patients experience the best!
Sereca B.
Great place to go loves ❤️ the staff
Response from the owner:Hi Sereca! We are so glad that you have had a great experience in our office and with our team! We truly have the greatest patients and team members!
Vibin With L.
The best Orthodontics in Lawrenceville hands down.
Response from the owner:Hi Vibin With LeeLee! Thank you so much for the shoutout! We are proud to serve the Lawrenceville community and honored to treat you!
Sarah L.
Koch orthodontics Lawrenceville ga has been our go to orthodontist for more than 8 years. From my Invisalign as an adult to three sets of my children’s braces. The office is clean and well organized. Koch orthodontics is known for their experience. And beat happy culture where all the team members are helpful and always working to provide the best experience to all their patients. I have a child who is high anxiety and they are able to calm him and work with him. The front desk is great at taking care of you from your first visit through your last. If you are looking for an orthodontist that office that has the experience and the history of consistent results making an appointment is in your best interest. Even if you think you found someone make sure you get a second opinion here you will see the difference. #kochorthodonticslawrenceville #kochorthodonticsgwinnett #orthodontistgwinnett #bracesgwinnett #braceslilburn #bracesnellville #invisaligngwinnett #invisalignlawrenceville #invisalignlilburn #invisalignsnellville
Response from the owner:Hi Sarah! Thank you for being a part of our KO family for over 8 years! It means so much that you've trusted us with both your Invisalign journey and your children's braces. Hearing how our team has been able to support your family makes our day! We are so grateful for your loyalty and for sharing such a thoughtful review. We look forward to many more smiles together!
Daniela M.
Wao!!! Incredible, everyone is very friendly and it's a very comfortable place. You don't really realize you have to leave, you feel at home. They are very good at what they do and in patient care, everyone is excellent. Thank you very much for your service.
Response from the owner:Hi Daniela! Thank you so much for your kind words! We love hearing that our office feels like home and that you've felt so comfortable and cared for. It's an honor to be part of your smile journey!
Rene V.
Amazing experience as ALWAYS! Very clean & the staff is sweet. Will be coming back with my son for his braces.
Response from the owner:Hi Rene! We can't wait to make your sons smile shine! Thank you so much for the kind review!
Dianne V.
Absolutely love this orthodontist!! No words they always go above and beyond! If I could I would give them more then 5 stars. The office is super clean and nurses are very caring and kind.
Response from the owner:Hi Dianne! One of our core values is going above and beyond the expected. We are so glad that you have had a great experience in our office!
Telkins
Really good customer service shout Tiffany and davante they get me right every time
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the shoutout! We’re thrilled to hear that you were so happy with Tiffany and Davante. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to seeing you at your next visit! 😊
Colby B.
Best service ever!! Always so welcoming and friendly. My teeth look amazing!!!
Response from the owner:Hi Colby! Thank you so much! We’re thrilled you felt welcomed and are loving your smile, that’s exactly what we strive for every day!
Adrienne D.
Love this place very clean and friendly! Davante makes my day every visit ! He is very kind and knowledgeable . Shout out to him! Thank you team!
Response from the owner:Adrienne Dorman – 🌟 Thank you, Adrienne! We’re so happy you enjoy your visits, and we’ll be sure to pass the shout-out to Davante! See you next time! 😊
Chris D.
We love Koch orthodontics. The whole staff is amazing and my daughter is so happy with her results from her braces. I highly recommend them for anybody for any orthodontic needs.
Response from the owner:Hi Chris! Thank you for the wonderful recommendation! We’re so happy to hear your daughter loves her smile and that our team made the experience a great one. It means the world that you trust us with her care!
Our locations

Come visit us

We have convenient locations in Lawrenceville and Loganville, and we serve everyone in the surrounding areas! Come visit us at one of our locations or contact us using the info below. We can’t wait to meet you and your family soon!

Loganville
Lawrenceville
Addresses
Lawrenceville
  • 55 Towler Rd.
    Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Loganville
  • 4763 Atlanta Hwy, Ste 380
    Loganville, GA 30052
Phone
  • (770) 962-9560
Koth Orthodontics Logo
Request Free Consult
Quick Links
  • Our Practice
  • Braces
  • Invisalign
  • Patient Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Our Practice
  • Braces
  • Invisalign
  • Patient Resources
  • Contact Us
Contact Info
  • Lawrenceville
  • Loganville
  • (770) 962-9560
Follow Us
© Copyright 2025 Koch Orthodontics | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Accessibility
Marketing & Web Design by HIP Creative