Why Should You Get Braces Before Underbite Surgery?

Of the different types of dental conditions that people can experience, one condition that has caused a lot of concern is the classic case of the underbite. Let’s face it: it’s hard to be happy with your teeth if they aren’t perfectly aligned with each other, especially when your top and bottom teeth aren’t where they’re supposed to be. It’s not as painful or as limiting compared to other conditions, but an underbite can still cause a lot of problems. It can erode a person’s confidence and wreak havoc on their oral functions if it isn’t addressed as soon as possible.

Here’s why an underbite should be treated

When you treat an underbite, a person’s physical and emotional health will be improved. Here are a few benefits of underbite treatments:

• The teeth will be much easier to clean, leading to better dental health that will prevent certain conditions, such as gingivitis and tooth decay.
• Jaw movements will feel less strained, and pressure on teeth and muscles will be relieved
• The chances of breaking a tooth will be significantly reduced
• Underbite treatments will prevent different types of temporomandibular disorder symptoms

Now, before you go to your dentist and ask for an underbite treatment, it’s important to keep in mind that you may have to get braces first. A common misconception that most people have when treating an underbite is that they should undergo jaw surgery before they put on braces. To put things into perspective, underbite surgery involves cutting up the jawbone, reshaping it, and a prolonged recovery period. As such, it’s a treatment that can cause a few complications when braces are put in.

How and why will braces complicate matters?

One of the effects of braces is the natural reshaping of the jaw, which takes place during what’s known as the treatment’s alignment stage. When braces are put in after an underbite surgery, the ideal finish that was achieved with the procedure can be drastically changed through a slow and steady movement that occurs during alignment. On the other hand, if braces aren’t installed to preserve the desired shape of the jaw, the functionality of the teeth may be compromised due to any changes in alignment during the adjustment process. This is in addition to the preexisting complications of misaligned teeth.

More reasons why you should get braces first

Of all the different methods that can be used to treat an underbite and other related problems, the most natural way to fix an underbite is through medical alignment. This can be achieved through braces. Braces can fix an underbite and save a person from having to seek corrective surgery. They achieve this by improving the appearance of a person’s jaw through alignment alone. Furthermore, braces tend to require the extraction of one or more teeth in the lower jaw to eliminate overcrowding, which in turn can help achieve a proper overbite.

In severe cases, underbite surgery is carried out when the existence of such a problem poses a significant threat to someone’s health and severely compromises their quality of life. Most dentists will recommend getting braces first before underbite surgery in order to avoid any complications. Braces will help align a person’s teeth so the surgery can be done effectively. If you’re looking for an affordable dentist in Ann Arbor to check on your oral health, get in touch with us for a free consultation.