Do Braces Fix Overbites?

Even if you didn’t know the clinical term for it, you’ve probably seen someone who has an overbite. Also known as an “overjet” or “deep bite,” it’s one of the most common malocclusions that orthodontists treat. 

Malocclusion is the typical diagnosis for a patient whose top and bottom jaws do not close properly. The term stems from the Latin words, “mal” (meaning “bad”), and “occlusion” (or “bite”). An overbite is a specific type of misalignment in which the upper teeth protrude beyond the lower teeth. 

The basic shape of the human skull results in a slight overbite, which is perfectly normal. With a healthy overbite, your top and bottom teeth connect properly as you chew, and when you close your mouth, the top teeth rest comfortably on top of your bottom teeth. To be diagnosed as a malocclusion, an overbite must be excessive enough to impede oral function, affect aesthetics, or impact oral health.

Here at Beverly Hills Orthodontics (BHO), we have corrected countless overbites since opening our doors in 2008. Today, overbite treatments still constitute a substantial portion of our annual cases, and we frequently answer overbite questions during patient consultations. Common questions include:

Below, the BHO team will answer these questions and more as we give you a rundown on overbites and overbite treatments. 

Do Braces Fix Overbites? Yes.
But Wait—There’s More!

The simple answer to “Do braces fix overbites?” is “yes.” The longer answer is “yes, but the braces are just one part of the treatment.”

Model of an overbite

Malocclusions are grouped into different classes and divisions based on the nature and severity of the misalignment. 

Class 1 malocclusions (aka neutrocclusion) display a normal, healthy alignment between the upper and lower jaws but may exhibit some minor problems, like dental crowding or spacing issues. 

Overbites fall under Class II malocclusions, which are organized into two divisions:

Orthodontists use a variety of methods to treat malocclusions of different classes and severity levels. Used in combination with braces, these measures shift the lower jaw into the desired position while braces straighten teeth by applying pressure to them. 

During your initial consultation, your orthodontist will examine your bite to better understand exactly what kinds of overbite problems you’re dealing with. They will also discuss which treatment options they recommend for your unique issues. 

Overbite Treatment Methods

At Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we use four methods to treat overbites. Before treatment begins, we always discuss available options with patients to determine the approach that best meets their aesthetic goals and lifestyle preferences. Together, we work with patients to create a holistic care plan that is both effective and comfortable. Possible treatment methods include:

Patients qualify for these treatments based on a combination of age, misalignment severity, and other health factors. In general, treatment takes around 12-24+ months to complete and provides patients with numerous benefits, including:

For more information about overbite treatments, contact one of Beverly Hills Orthodontics’ four Los Angeles-area locations to schedule a consultation.  

Interested In Orthodontic Care? A Consultation at Beverly Hills Orthodontics Will Reveal Your Overbite Treatment Options

Braces are one of the most effective overbite treatments available today. By combining braces with additional measures, like elastics, headgear, or jaw surgery, orthodontists can correct mild-to-severe overbite problems in patients of all ages. 

If you have been considering braces for your overbite, Beverly Hills Orthodontics is here to help you review all your treatment options. Our founder, Dr. Monica Madan, graduated from the top orthodontic program in the country and uses the latest orthodontic tools and techniques to create specialized treatment plans. A consultation at one of our offices in Beverly Hills/Century City, Toluca Lake, Alhambra, our Downtown LA, will allow our team to pinpoint your exact alignment issues and discuss which care options will work best for your lifestyle. Contact us today to learn more. 

Braces First Week Tips

Are you preparing for your first week wearing braces? Whether you are still researching orthodontic treatments or just had your brackets and wires bonded in place, it’s good to know what to expect for your first few days in braces. 

Braces: Components

Using braces has been a common practice to realign teeth that predates the beginning of modern orthodontics by a few millennia. In fact, braces are still one of the tools most preferred by orthodontists today, though the design has been updated considerably since ancient Egypt. They consist of at least two parts:

If you have an overbite, underbite, or open bite, your orthodontist may also use elastics (i.e., rubber bands) to help correct the issue.

Braces: Function

Throughout treatment, your orthodontist will periodically tighten the archwire to increase pressure on the brackets. This moves teeth in a controlled manner, allowing your orthodontist to gradually improve your tooth alignment until you have a perfectly straight smile. 

One reason behind the long-lived popularity of braces is their extreme versatility. Braces can correct nearly all mild-to-severe alignment issues, including:

For braces to succeed, however, you will need to follow your orthodontist’s instructions diligently. Below, you will find key advice and a host of braces first-week tips from the Beverly Hills Orthodontics (BHO) team that will help you start treatment off right!

Your Braces: First Week Expectations

First, let’s review what will happen during the first few days of treatment. Once we establish what to expect at the doctor’s office, you can follow our braces first-week tips to begin building good habits.

Attaching Your Braces

As you may have guessed, the first week of treatment begins when your orthodontist attaches your braces to your teeth. While it’s perfectly normal to be concerned or anxious about this process, we have some good news: attaching braces to your teeth is a painless procedure. And, it only takes an hour or two to complete. 

To attach the braces, your orthodontist will:

  1. Clean your teeth and dry them in preparation for bracket attachment.
  2. Use bonding material to attach the brackets across your rows of teeth.
  3. Shine a curing light on brackets to harden the bonding material and create a firm connection.
  4. Slide metal bands over your molars if necessary to anchor the braces. The bands are sized to your molars, so you should not feel any pain or discomfort, just a bit of pressure.
  5. Connect all the brackets together with an archwire. 

Once anchored by metal molar bands and threaded through each bracket, the archwire is cut close to the end of the bands to keep it from irritating the gums or cheeks. If your treatment includes overbite, underbite, or crossbite correction, your orthodontist will also attach elastics to the brackets and show you how to attach them yourself. 

As mentioned previously, the attachment process is completely pain-free. However, you will feel some pressure while bonding the brackets and bands. You should also expect the doctor to place an appliance in your mouth to keep it open for the entire procedure. 

After Your Office Visit

Immediately after your braces are attached, you may experience some short-term effects:

With these factors in mind, let’s take a look at how to make the most of your first week in braces.

Braces First Week Tips:
Begin Orthodontic Treatment on the Right Note

Most braces treatments take around 12 months to 2+ years to complete. Treatment duration is influenced by a number of things, including:

In addition to these aspects, good patient habits can positively influence how quickly your braces produce results. 

As a braces patient, your job is to keep your braces in working order. To do so, you must follow certain best practices and be diligent about your oral care routine. If not, you risk damaging your braces, infecting your gums, and developing cavities—all of which can create major delays in your treatment.

Follow these braces first week tips to form good habits as you start treatment:

  1. Do Not Eat Hard, Sticky, or Crunchy Foods. Many foods can damage your braces during treatment. Eating hard foods (e.g., nuts, carrots, whole apples, etc.) can inadvertently bend wires, loosen bands, and break brackets. Sticky foods (e.g., gum, candy, etc.) can pull wires out of position and loosen bands. Crunchy foods (e.g., hard-shell tacos, chips, etc.) can loosen the brackets bonded to your teeth.
  2. Avoid Nervous Chewing Habits. When many people are nervous or bored, they habitually chew non-food items, like pencils, pens, ice, or fingernails. All of these objects can damage your braces, so if you have been trying to quash that nail-biting habit, now is the time!
  3. Prioritize Your Oral Hygiene. Daily brushing and flossing are always important, but your oral care routine is especially critical while wearing braces. To prevent plaque accumulation and other dental problems, plan to brush your teeth and braces 3 times a day for 3 to 5 minutes, and floss at night. After brushing and flossing, your braces should always appear shiny and clean.
  4. Wear a Mouthguard When Playing Contact Sports. If there is a reasonable chance of someone or something colliding with your braces, you need to wear a mouthguard. One unprotected blow to a mouth with braces can lead to expensive repairs and painful injuries. Minimize this risk by wearing a mouthguard any time you participate in physical activities.

Interested in Braces? Schedule a Consultation With BHO Today!

Braces are one of the most reliable ways to achieve a flawless smile. No matter whether you struggle with crowding, open bite, underbite, or another malocclusion, braces can correct your alignment issues for a perfectly straight set of teeth. 

If you are ready to improve your smile, Beverly Hills Orthodontics is the practice for you. Led by Ivy League graduate Dr. Monica Madan, BHO uses the latest technology to create the best treatment plans possible. From accelerated orthodontic measures to different types of braces, we provide our patients with different care options that maximize comfort and convenience. Contact us today to discuss your treatment plan.

Do Braces Affect Speech?

Orthodontists worldwide use braces to treat all sorts of alignment problems. From overbites and underbites to crossbites and other malocclusions (the medical term for “bad bites”), all can be corrected with treatments using braces, lasting from a few months to a couple of years. 

Although Invisalign and other clear aligner treatments have steadily risen in popularity over the past two decades, braces are still one of the best, most adaptable orthodontic treatments available today. Almost all healthy adults and children/teenagers with malocclusions can benefit from wearing braces, and the treatment is versatile enough to treat even the most complicated alignment problems.

In addition to such wide-ranging capabilities, recent material advancements have improved the look and feel of braces as well. Smaller, more attractive, and more comfortable than braces from years past, many patients today still choose braces over Invisalign for their minimal upkeep requirements and responsibilities. 

If you have been considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child, you probably have questions about how braces impact a patient's daily life. For example, one of the most common questions we hear here at Beverly Hills Orthodontics is, “Do braces affect speech?”

In this blog, we explore how braces can impact speech patterns, both during treatment and after. If you have any additional questions about orthodontic treatment, contact one of our offices in Beverly Hills/Century City, Toluca Lake, Alhambra, or Downtown LA to find the answers.

Do Braces Affect Speech? Rarely 

We can begin by reassuring you that braces will not negatively impact your speech during treatment. However, some patients report minor changes to speech when their braces are first attached. 

The most commonly reported speech effects are minor lisping and struggling with certain sounds. In both cases, the solution is simple: practice speaking. 

At the same time, orthodontic treatment can change the sound of your “head voice” (i.e., the sound you hear when you speak) without necessarily affecting how your voice sounds to others. 

If you are at the beginning of treatment and feel that your voice has been affected by your braces, we have some suggestions:

  1. Record yourself speaking.
  2. Listen to the recording playback.
  3. Try to pinpoint which sounds you are struggling with.
  4. Repeat speaking any words aloud that contain the problem sound(s) to improve your articulation.
  5. Periodically re-record yourself and listen for progress. Repeat this process until you have eliminated the speech issue.

Almost all patients quickly adapt to their braces and overcome their speech issues within a few days. If your speech problems persist, there could be an issue with the braces themselves. Your orthodontist may have fitted them incorrectly or used improper wires. To avoid fitting issues, you should always seek orthodontic treatment from a trusted, licensed orthodontist. 

Properly performed orthodontic treatment will not disrupt your speaking ability. In fact, braces can actually improve your speech, as well as other oral functions.

How Braces Improve Speech and Other Oral Functions

Moderate-to-severe malocclusions can negatively impact oral functions, including speech. That’s because the physical production of human speech is a complicated process in which multiple body parts must work in harmony. 

In simple terms, your lungs produce air to create noise, your larynx manipulates the air via vocal cords to form the intended sound, and body parts in the mouth and nose (the tongue, soft palate, and sinus cavities) articulate the sound to form specific words. When these body parts can’t work together to form those intended words, it results in a speech impediment.

Speech impediments are complicated issues that are caused by multiple factors, including genetics, brain function, and motor control. Braces will not improve speech impaired by mental or motor functions. However, braces can improve speech clarity and reduce lisping levels influenced by improper jaw and tooth alignment. 

The chart below provides details on how correcting specific bite problems can improve speech:

Bite Issue Orthodontic Treatment Benefit
Irregular Incisors  Clearer pronunciation of “t” “d” and “s” sounds
Irregular Upper Anterior Teeth Clearer pronunciation of  “p” ”b” and “m” sounds
Open Bite Lower lisping levels and clearer pronunciation of  “s” “z” “t” ”d” ”n”  and ”l” sounds
Diastema (i.e., Tooth Gaps) Lower lisping levels
Cleft Palate Overall clearer speech and better pronunciation

By correcting jaw and tooth alignment, braces improve other oral functions as well, including biting and chewing. Proper alignment also makes oral care easier and more effective, leading to numerous health benefits.

So, to finally answer the question, “Do braces affect speech?”—Yes, but only in a positive way!

Have More Treatment Questions?
Call Beverly Hills Orthodontics Today

If you are considering orthodontic treatment but are concerned that braces may change your voice, we have good news: braces will not negatively impact your speech. 

Although you may think you sound a bit funny at the beginning of treatment, patients quickly adjust to their braces and learn to speak clearly within a day or two. Moreover, braces have been shown to improve mechanical speech problems, so you may sound even better once treatment is complete!

At Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we create a safe and welcoming environment for all our patients. No matter what questions or concerns are making you anxious, our team is here to give you answers and put your mind at ease. BHO’s founder, Dr. Monica Madan, graduated from the #1-ranked orthodontic program in the country and uses her expertise to craft holistic treatment programs that put patient comfort and lifestyle preferences above all else. Schedule a consultation today to learn how BHO can improve your smile!

Are Braces or Invisalign More Effective at Straightening Teeth?

Thinking about improving your smile? Every year, millions of patients seek out orthodontic care to boost oral health and enhance their appearance. From children to adults to senior citizens, orthodontic care helps people of all ages improve their quality of life.

Today, most patients have a choice between two popular treatments: braces and Invisalign. Both options are capable of correcting the same bite problems and alignment issues, but they do so in very different ways:

Because braces and Invisalign are so different, patients inevitably ask us which is better. That’s a hard question to answer because every patient has unique treatment requirements. While Invisalign may be a better fit for one patient's lifestyle, braces may be better suited for another. 

In this blog post, we answer one of the most common questions we hear during consultations, “Are braces or Invisalign more effective?” Along the way, we will take a closer look at how these treatment methods work and why they excel at treating specific issues.

Q: Are Braces or Invisalign More Effective?
A: It Depends. How Are You at Following Instructions? 

It’s impossible to give a definitive answer about whether one orthodontic treatment is better than another. After all, every smile is unique, and the physical properties of teeth, gums, and jaws, vary from one person to the next. Moreover, malocclusions (i.e., “bad bites,” aka tooth misalignment) come in many forms and disrupt tooth alignment in various ways.

Malocclusions (e.g., crowding, crossbite, open bite, underbite, etc.) also vary in severity, ranging from a simple tooth overlap to complex jaw problems. The seriousness of each condition can be further affected by a number of factors, including:

Given the diverse number of malocclusion cases and the potentially amplifying factors, it’s hard to answer—categorically—whether braces or Invisalign are more effective at straightening teeth. However, we can answer the question according to which kinds of malocclusions braces or Invisalign are more effective at treating.

Braces vs. Invisalign for Specific Malocclusions

Although malocclusion cases vary enormously from person to person, some methods are better suited to treat certain bite problems more efficiently than others. The reasons are related to the different ways braces and Invisalign work.

clear aligners icon

Invisalign aligners offer a higher level of precision when compared to braces. When creating aligners, Invisalign software allows orthodontists to target specific teeth. Consequently, one pair of aligners can move just a few particular teeth while leaving the rest in place. Such precision makes Invisalign more efficient at treating:

In addition to these malocclusions, Invisalign is also more effective at general bite correction than braces. That said, Invisalign alone cannot treat severe malocclusion cases. 

braces icon

Braces move teeth with a system of brackets and wires so the orthodontist can change their positions by adjusting the archwire to exert or release pressure. Because the wire is connected to multiple teeth, it’s difficult to move a single tooth at a time. Attempts inevitably cause the wire to move all other teeth as well. 

In comparison, aligners exert only a limited amount of pressure. For significantly misaligned or impacted teeth, braces can apply enough pressure to move teeth in greater intervals. If you have severe malocclusion, braces offer a simple path toward a perfect smile. 

However, sometimes the most efficient solution to these cases is hybrid treatment—a combination of braces and Invisalign. With a hybrid treatment plan, your orthodontist uses braces to move teeth into a more manageable position before removing the brackets and finishing treatment with a series of Invisalign aligners.

In other words, if Invisalign alone can’t correct your malocclusion, hybrid treatment is the most effective treatment available. That’s why you need an experienced professional like Dr. Monica Madan to design a personalized, yet efficient treatment plan to perfect your smile.

Have More Questions about Braces and Invisalign? Beverly Hills Orthodontics Has Answers

It’s hard to state definitively which treatment option is more effective at straightening teeth. Although Invisalign can treat issues like open bites and crowding more rapidly, there are cases where Invisalign requires additional measures to correct a smile. Braces may be a bit slower than Invisalign, but they can correct severe problems without requiring a hybrid approach. 

Of course, there are many factors to consider beyond speed when choosing an orthodontic treatment. The only way to be certain about the option that’s right for you is by scheduling a professional consultation at a practice like Beverly Hills Orthodontics, 

No matter your age or what issues you’re facing, Beverly Hills Orthodontics can craft a treatment plan that improves your smile in a quick, comfortable manner. Contact one of our four locations to schedule your consultation today, in  Beverly Hills/Century City, Toluca Lake, Alhambra, or Downtown Los Angeles.

BHO has been improving smiles since 2008 and is recognized as one of the top 1% of Diamond Plus Invisalign providers in the country — as featured on The Doctors and in Allure. Call or text us at 310-785-0770 to learn more, or visit our contact page to book an appointment.

Do Braces Damage Teeth?

Fixed braces have been around far longer than most people realize. In fact, the concept behind braces (i.e., using wires to physically realign teeth) reaches all the way back to ancient Egypt. Archaeologists uncovered this fact by examining the crude braces affixed to the teeth of certain mummies. 

Although we know some ancient cultures performed simple orthodontic work, it wasn’t until the 1800s that physicians created what we would call “modern braces.” French physician Christophe-Francois Delabarre invented modern braces in 1819 when he first used wires and wedges to correct tooth misalignments. In the following years, more physicians improved upon Delabarre’s invention to create braces that resemble what we use today.

To this day, braces are still one of the most popular devices in orthodontics. Safe, reliable, and capable of treating mild-to-severe alignment problems, braces remain a popular go-to option for correcting bite issues. 

Despite this familiarity, patients always have questions about braces before treatment begins. Some of the most common questions we hear at consultations include:

If you’ve been asking yourself the same questions, you’ve come to the right place for answers. Read on to learn how braces work and how they can improve your oral health.

Do Braces Damage Teeth? NO.

For those new to braces, they can seem a bit intimidating. After all, braces are most commonly made with a metal like titanium or stainless steel. If you don’t understand how they work, it’s natural for you to wonder if braces damage teeth. 

Braces icon.

Simply put, braces fitted by a professional, licensed orthodontist will not harm your teeth. 

The bonding process uses a composite adhesive to affix brackets to your teeth. Not only is bonding completely safe, but it’s also pain-free and takes only a few minutes to complete. 

After attaching all the brackets, your orthodontist threads a metal archwire in between them. This is another safe, painless process that is relatively brief. 

Once in place, the braces allow your orthodontist to reposition your teeth by adjusting the archwire’s tension. The wire applies constant pressure to the teeth, and by periodically adjusting how tight the wire is, your orthodontist gradually moves your teeth until into flawless alignment.

Broadly speaking, treatment takes around 12-24 months to complete. After that, your orthodontist will remove the brackets and wires—revealing your gorgeous new smile!  

Potential Causes of Damage: Bad Oral Hygiene

Braces should never pose a risk to your teeth. Professional orthodontists attend rigorous training programs to learn how to use braces as a safe, effective treatment. By partnering with a trained orthodontist like BHO’s Dr. Monica Madan, you can find braces treatment for:

To avoid potential problems, always seek orthodontic work from a trusted professional and always follow their oral care guidelines. Remember, braces do not damage teeth, but teeth can still develop cavities among other problems during your braces treatment. Patients with braces must be meticulous about their oral hygiene.

While wearing braces, you must be diligent about your oral care to avoid potential health issues. We recommend the following measures for the best possible outcome:

  1. Use an Electric Toothbrush to Clean Your Teeth. Electric toothbrushes are better at removing plaque than conventional toothbrushes and can help your teeth stay cavity-free throughout treatment. We recommend the toothbrushes by BHO or Sonicare.
  2. Brush Your Teeth Up to Five Times a Day. We know this sounds like a lot, but food can get stuck in between your teeth and brackets throughout the day. Brushing once at night, after meals, and before bedtime will keep your teeth from developing cavities.
  3. Focus on Cleaning Every Bracket. Brackets quickly become filled with plaque if you do not faithfully clean them every day. Brush above, below, and in between each bracket to keep any plaque from developing. Using an oscillating brush head specifically built for cleaning brackets will help, too.
  4. Floss Daily and Try Floss Alternatives. Although braces may make flossing more difficult, it’s important to continue flossing every day during treatment. If you are struggling with traditional floss, thread floss and water flossers may also help.
  5. Rinse With Mouthwash Every Day. Fluoridated mouthwash can fortify your teeth against cavities and other issues. 

Ready To Improve Your Smile? Call Beverly Hills Orthodontics Today

If concerns about whether braces damage teeth have made you hesitant about orthodontics, you can rest assured that braces are one of the most reliable, safe, and effective treatment methods available today. Capable of treating all kinds of bite problems with a wide range of severity, braces can help give you a healthier, better-functioning, and more attractive smile 

As as a diamond Plus Provider, Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been using braces to improve smiles since 2008. With offices in Beverly Hills/Century City, Toluca Lake, Alhambra, and Downtown LA, the BHO team is here to provide you with the best orthodontic care in the Los Angeles area. If you have any lingering questions about braces, oral care, or anything else related to orthodontics, we can give you answers during a consultation. Call today to schedule!