Bite Correction

A properly functioning bite is essential to good oral health. When your bite is correctly aligned, your teeth are easier to clean and there is less strain on your jaws and muscles. Orthodontists are experts at treating bite misalignments or “bad bites”, which can alleviate facial and TMJ pain and make it easier to speak and eat. 

Dr. Stevens is a board-certified orthodontist in Omaha, NE, who treats many complex orthodontic conditions. Many patients have an improper bite, and we offer several treatments to correct this misalignment. Dr. Stevens will customize your treatment based on your specific needs. Contact Braces Omaha today if you or your child have bite problems, and we’ll get you on the path to a healthy and happy bite! 

What Causes a Bad Bite?

There are different reasons why an improper bite develops. It can be caused by the tongue persistently pressing against the teeth, genetics, tooth loss, or gum disease. Bite problems in children can develop from thumb-sucking or pacifier use. The condition of having a bad bite is also called malocclusion. There are three most common types of malocclusion:

• Overbites—when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth
• Underbites—when the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth
• Crossbites—the upper teeth fit inside of the lower teeth in an incorrect position

Each of these bite problems require orthodontic correction. If left untreated, an uneven bite can cause many issues, including:

• Jaw pain
• Poor oral health (damaged enamel, tooth decay, bad breath, or tooth loss)
• Difficulty brushing or flossing
• Gum disease
• Speech issues
• Facial pain
• TMJ pain

Types of Bite Correction Treatment

Orthodontic appliances have made several advances in the last few decades when it comes to correcting bite problems. Have you heard stories of children wearing headgear to school? Well, headgear used to be the only option! Modern devices, such as the Herbst Appliance and the use of elastics, have made it so that your treatment can often be completed without headgear. 

During your consultation, Dr. Stevens can determine which type of bite correction method is right for you. We’ll take 3D images of your mouth and face to create a custom treatment plan and walk you through each step.  

Elastics and the Herbst Appliance

At Braces Omaha, we most often use a combination of elastic bands and braces to adjust the bite and guide the jaw into its new alignment. If the bite problem is more severe, we like to use appliances that fit inside the mouth and are not removable, such as the Herbst Appliance, to correct the problem. These treatments are proven and safe and offer efficient and successful correction of many types of bite misalignment issues.

The Herbst Appliance is placed on the back molars using a metal connector piece between your upper and lower jaw. Once placed, the Herbst Appliance guides the bite into the correct position. Because the Herbst Appliance is not removable, it ensures consistent use and can even speed up the treatment process.

Elastics are removable rubber bands that are manually attached to your braces. You should wear your elastics 24 hours a day and only remove them to brush, floss, or to replace your current elastics with new ones. Be sure to change your elastics at least every 12 hours to ensure proper function.

Bite Correction in Omaha, NE

Dr. Stevens a board-certified orthodontist and expert in a variety of bite correction techniques, including use of the Herbst Appliance and braces. If you or your child requires orthodontic treatment for bite correction, you’ll be in excellent hands at Braces Omaha. You can schedule a complimentary consultation at our office in Omaha, NE, to see how Dr. Stevens and our team can help correct your bite and improve your oral health.