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To attain optimal dental health and correct misalignments, orthodontic treatment has undergone tremendous evolution and now offers a variety of techniques. Surgical and non-surgical orthodontics are two well-known techniques that address various demands and situations. In this blog, we will cover the difference between surgical and non-surgical treatment, the pros and cons of each method, and help you to determine which might be right for you.
What is an Overbite?
An overbite is a type of malocclusion whereby the upper jaw overlaps the lower jaw at a considerable degree; in other words, it is an excessive vertical overlap of the upper teeth over the lower teeth.
Although a slight overbite is acceptable, having a large overbite may lead to functional issues such as eating difficulties or pain in the jaws. In more severe cases, it also wears down the teeth. Overbites can also affect your appearance, leading to self-esteem issues for some individuals.
Correcting an overbite can involve various treatments, both surgical and non-surgical. Let's take a look at the differences.
Surgical Solutions for Overbites
The following are the surgical solutions for overbites:
Orthognathic Surgery for Overbites
Overbite is one of the most commonly treated conditions with the help of orthognathic surgery. A surgical procedure where the position of the jaws is adjusted to align the maxilla and the mandible appropriately. Orthognathic surgery is often advised if non-invasive procedures like using a brace or getting an aligner are not feasible.
How it Works
The series of treatments begins with the orthodontic phase, for example, using braces to attempt to reposition the teeth until surgery. In cases where the position of the jaw has to be adjusted, once the teeth are well aligned, overbite dental surgery is done.
Recovery
Recovery time for overbite surgery may differ, but after the surgery, it takes a few weeks for initial healing, with full recovery in about 6 to 12 months.
Benefits of Surgical Overbite Correction
- It is most effective if the problem is a severe overbite.
- Provides solutions that are long-term and mostly permanent.
- Can improve facial aesthetics by correcting jaw misalignment.
Drawbacks
- Treatment Duration: Clear aligners, as compared to surgery for overbites, may take longer. While surgery offers a quicker fix, aligners may require 12 to 24 months for full correction.
- Cost: Unfortunately, the financial cost of overbite surgery may be high, especially if insurance does not fully cover the cost.
- Risk: Similar to almost all other surgeries, there are possible side effects or a possibility of complications that include infection of the wound, damage to nerves, or the need for repeat surgery.
Non-surgical Solutions for Overbites
Non-surgical overbite solutions for those who prefer not to undergo surgery may be useful for treating mild to moderate overbite. Now let’s look at some of the most common non-surgical procedures known to many people.
Clear Aligners for Overbites
In the recent past, there has been advancement in orthodontic treatment in the form of clear aligners. Brands like ALIGNERCO offer clear aligners, which are clear plastic trays that are designed to gradually shift the teeth into their desired position.
How it Works
Clear aligners work like braces but without the brackets or the wires that connect the two parts of the brace. They use several aligner trays on which gentle pressure is applied to the teeth. This eventually helps to gradually correct an overbite.
Benefits of Clear Aligners
- Non-invasive overbite solutions: They are painless and do not even need any sort of surgery.
- Aesthetic: Therefore, the aligners are ideal for adults and teens because they are almost invisible after the treatment.
- Convenience: Similarly, clear aligners can be taken off the teeth for eating, cleaning, and flossing, which therefore makes it more comfortable.
Drawbacks
Treatment Duration: Clear aligners for overbites may take longer treatment time as compared to surgical procedures, which are between 12 to 24 months at most.
Limitations: Aligners do well in moderate cases of slight overbite or overcrowding and are not effective for complex cases where there is a need to change the jaw position.
Braces for Overbite Correction
Traditional braces for overbite correction are one of the most common non-surgical overbite treatments. Braces consist of metal brackets and wires that gradually move the teeth and jaw into proper alignment.
How it Works
During the time that braces are worn, force is applied to the teeth and to the underlying bone and cartilage of the jaws, which may cause an overbite to be corrected. The duration of treatment with braces differs depending on the level of overbite and ranges from one to three years.
Benefits of Braces
Suitable for all ages: Braces don’t have an age limit; every one, however young or old, can wear them.
Comprehensive correction: Braces not only correct the location of the teeth and gaps between them but can also realign the jaw, especially for people who slide it up and down slightly too much.
Drawbacks
Aesthetic: Metal braces are more visible than clear aligners.
Maintenance: Braces are fixed on the teeth, and patients have to undergo several adjustments, daily cleaning, and extraordinary oral hygiene techniques, unlike aligners.
Lengthy Treatment: As with aligners, braces may take years to properly fix an overbite, although braces are usually more effective than aligners.
Retainers
On average, retainers are worn after orthodontic treatment, but in some scenarios, they're used to address minor overbites. However, they are more commonly recommended for overbite treatment without surgery when other methods, like braces or aligners, have already been used.
Surgical vs. Non-Surgical: A Detailed Comparison
The following is a detailed comparison of surgical vs. non-surgical:
| Factors | Surgical Solutions for Overbites | Non-Surgical Solutions for Overbites |
|---|---|---|
| Invasiveness | Extremely invasive: Needs anesthetic, cuts, and recovery period | Minimally invasive: Braces and aligners are minimally uncomfortable and non-invasive procedures. |
| Treatment Duration | Relatively quick: After recovery from surgery, benefits are visible right away, and full recovery takes six to twelve months. | Extended duration: Depending on the severity of the overbite, braces or aligners may be needed for 12 months to 3 years. |
| Cost | Expensive: Depending on location and intricacy, costs might range from $20,000 to $40,000. | More reasonably priced: braces go from $4,000 to $8,000, while aligners cost between $3,000 and $7,000. |
| Long-Term Results | Permanent: Excellent for serious situations, offering long-lasting effects. | Requires regular retainer use after treatment; long-lasting yet relapse-prone. |
| Aesthetic Considerations | Corrects jaw misalignment to improve the appearance of the face; however, there are noticeable side effects like edema. | Discreet: Braces are more conspicuous but provide a non-surgical solution, whereas clear aligners are almost unnoticeable. |
Which Treatment for Overbite is Good for You?
Overbite treatment may be surgical or non-surgical and the choice depends on the degree of severity of your condition, your preference, and your pocket. Here’s a summary to help guide your decision:
- Surgery should only be done when the extent of the overbite is severe and involves deviation of the jaw or when other non-surgical methods have failed.
- For minor and moderately severe cases, clear aligners or braces may also be recommended for overbite treatment as they are non-surgical approaches.
One should seek the advice of an orthodontist or an oral surgeon for proper guidance on what procedure should be followed. If you are in doubt about whether to accept the reality of having an overbite dental surgery or go in for non-surgical treatments like aligners, the chances are high that fixing an overbite can produce massive changes to the well-being, looks, and confidence in an individual.
It is for this reason that overbite surgery has its benefits and limitations, the same as aligner orthodontics. Surgical treatments are fast and produce permanent results, but often are more costly as compared to non-surgical procedures. It is critical to understand the differences between the surgical and non-surgical treatment of overbite to be in the position to make a good decision of what suits best depending on the lifestyle and dental requirements.
FAQs
1. What are the differences between the typical surgical treatment and another treatment for overbite?
Surgical solutions are invasive, requiring anesthesia and recovery time, while non-surgical options like braces or clear aligners are non-invasive and take longer to show results.
2. When can I expect will complete each treatment?
Surgical procedures, on the other hand, give a faster outcome, usually 6–12 months after the operations have been done. In this case, non-surgical treatment such as braces or aligners may take 1-3 years.
3. Which choice will give more prominent results?
Both have the potential of yielding an effective outcome in the long run, but since surgical options carry permanent, lasting consequences, those severe cases would require it. Non-surgical interventions depend on the use of retainers to avoid a relapse situation arising.
4. Is clear aligner treatment suitable as an alternative to surgery?
Yes, clear aligners are a great non-surgical and almost invisible treatment for an overbite, especially if the case is mild to moderate.
