An underbite is a complicated orthodontic issue that is relatively rare. The prevalence of this type of bite varies by ethnicity, with people of Southeast Asian descent having the highest rate at over 15%.
With a lack of calcium (Asia relied mostly on tea/wine as opposed to milk/beer) from milk or much lean meat (most meat preferably eaten are only soft parts of animals or just soft seafood), with each subsequent generation their jawlines recede a bit generation by generation until you have what you see today.
Asian population 70% of bite problems are underbites, where the top teeth are inside the bottom teeth. Even though this is mostly genetic, early tooth loss, blocked or missing teeth can also create an underbite.
Misaligned Teeth
Some Filipinos suffer from misaligned teeth. It's just not limited to crooked ones, but overbites and underbites as well. It is most common to children and teens growing up and they would usually opt for braces to align their teeth. Misaligned teeth can cause speech problems and even health problems.
While less common than an overbite, an underbite is considered unattractive, especially when it's severe. It often leads to a lack of confidence and low self-esteem.
It's estimated that from five to ten percent of the population has some form of underbite. The lower jawbone (mandible) might be overdeveloped, the upper jawbone (maxilla) might be underdeveloped, both bones could be affected, or, sometimes, tooth size and placement might cause an underbite.
While up to 70 percent of the population has an overbite, only 5 to 10 percent of the population have an underbite. In many cases, an overbite is not a serious oral health issue.
There are a few different reasons you might develop an underbite. Genetics. The shape and size of your teeth and the way they grow are largely inherited from your parents or relatives. If someone else in your family has had an underbite, it's likely a genetic condition.
Underbites are generally caused by the same reason your eyes are brown or blue and your hair is thick or thin – genetics. Often underbites or teeth overcrowding runs in the family. Other factors that contribute to the development of an underbite are related to childhood behaviors.
If there is not enough room for the tongue—which is often the case with crossbites or underbites—speech is often affected. This is caused when the structure of the jaw or placement of teeth restricts movement of the tongue.
In both humans and animals, it can be the result of inbreeding. In brachycephalic or flat-faced dogs, like shih tzus and boxers, it can lead to problems such as underbite.
Does an underbite get worse with age? Yes, it can get worse with age, particularly if this condition isn't corrected before a child's growth spurt occurs during the teenage years. After this growth spurt, the jaw stops growing and an underbite can become more prominent.
Underbites are rare compared to overbites. Only 5-10% of the population develops an underbite vs. overbite patients at over 80%. The sooner an overbite is corrected, the better.
Some children are simply born with a natural tendency for an underbite. If you had an underbite as a child, there is a good chance your son or daughter will have the same issue. Thumb sucking, constantly pushing one's tongue against teeth, and extended use of a pacifier can also contribute to an underbite.
Underbite – With an underbite, the bottom teeth sit in front of the top teeth. This causes the lower jaw to stick out. In this case, your face before and after braces can look noticeably different.
Underbites mean that the upper jaw is underdeveloped and the lower jaw is much larger. This is often caused by hereditary conditions that you could've inherited. Children also have many habits that can impact their bite when they're older.
Early treatment of an underbite, when your child is between the ages of 7 and 10, may be the most effective timing to correct the condition. Early correction methods, such as widening the upper jaw, can create the opportunity for permanent teeth to grow in at a better position than they would have without correction.
Smiling - A dominant lower lip, which occurs with an underbite, leads to a droopy smile. Unfortunately, those affected by an underbite cannot move their mouth into a traditional smile, often resulting in further self-scrutiny.
Underbites can range in severity from mild to severe, but regardless of how severe they are, correcting them will require dental treatment because underbites rarely correct themselves on their own.
An overbite (also called an “overjet” by orthodontists) can give the appearance of undefined lower jaw and weak chin, while an underbite makes the lower jaw look more prominent and the cheeks appear sunken.
Overbite, underbite, open bite, protruding jaw and asymmetry are different types of facial deformities. The deformity presents itself in 3 ways: mild, moderate, and severe.
If left untreated: Underbites usually result from either undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. If not corrected, teeth may not be able to function properly and can lead to painful TMJ/TMD issues.
This results in an extension of the lower jaw beyond the upper teeth. The degree of the underbite varies from moderate to severe. A slight underbite occurs when the lower jaw overlaps the upper jaw, whereas a severe underbite occurs when the teeth do not contact due to the gap being so large.
Class III malocclusion is a dentofacial phenotype characterized by negative anterior overjet (underbite), with a prevalence of 1-5% in the US (Proffit et al., 1998) and up to 23% in Asia (Susami et al., 1972; Tang, 1994).