Braces: Not Just for Straight Teeth — Correcting Jaw Alignment
Yes, braces can do more than just straighten your teeth — they can also help correct jaw alignment issues like overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. These types of bite problems can affect chewing, speaking, and even long-term jaw health.
Here’s how orthodontic treatment can help Canadian patients with jaw alignment.
🔄 Common Jaw Alignment Issues
- Overbite: Upper teeth stick out too far over lower teeth
- Underbite: Lower teeth extend past upper teeth
- Crossbite: Upper and lower teeth don’t line up properly when biting
- Open bite: Front teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed
These issues can be genetic or caused by habits like thumb sucking or prolonged bottle use.
💪 How Braces Help Align the Jaw
Braces apply gentle, continuous pressure to move teeth into proper positions — and in some cases, guide the jaw into better alignment.
Treatment may include:
- Brackets and wires to reposition teeth
- Elastics (rubber bands) to guide jaw movement
- Expanders or other appliances for jaw development (often in children)
⏰ Timing Matters
Early intervention (often between ages 7–12) can help guide jaw growth while it’s still developing. However, adults can also benefit from braces and bite correction — sometimes with the help of other treatments like Invisalign® or surgery for more complex cases.
🩺 Benefits of Correcting Jaw Alignment
- Improved chewing and digestion
- Better speech clarity
- Fewer jaw aches and headaches
- Healthier bite and tooth wear
- Enhanced facial symmetry
Wondering if braces can help with jaw alignment?
Book a consultation at McLevin Dental to find out if orthodontics is the right solution for your bite and jaw health.