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Do Braces Fix an Underbite?

Love Yourself, Love Your Smile

“Do braces fix underbite?” she wonders.
  • Dr. Monica Madan
  • May 10, 2023

Although underbites are less common than other alignment problems like crowding or overjet (i.e., overbites), they often require more complex treatment plans. 

Like overjet, an underbite is a type of malocclusion. A “malocclusion” is the clinical term for a bite in which a person’s teeth do not properly align when their jaws are closed. In underbite cases, the lower teeth protrude too far in front of the upper teeth. 

Underbite

When teeth are perfectly aligned, the upper teeth sit just barely outside the lower teeth. In mild underbite cases, the upper teeth are set slightly behind the lower teeth. In more extreme cases, the upper teeth sit fully behind the lower teeth when the jaws are shut tight.

If you’ve been struggling with an underbite, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog, the experts at Beverly Hills Orthodontics answer some of the most common underbite questions, including:

  • Do braces fix underbites?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • How do I know which treatment approach is right for me?

Read on to learn the answers to these questions and more.

Timing is Everything: Treat an Underbite as Early as Possible

ConvenientBefore we answer “Do braces fix overbites?” and the other questions above, let’s review some important information on underbite treatment as a whole. 

In general, the earlier you address any orthodontic problem, the better your treatment outcomes will be. Although the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children attend their first orthodontic appointment at age 7, we believe that age 5 is better, especially for underbites. 

At age 5, usually around the time the 6-year molars come in, we are able to diagnose burgeoning issues and begin interceptive treatment to correct the problem or at least minimize the severity.

All underbites—from mild to severe—can negatively impact your health in numerous ways, regardless of age. Common effects include:

  • Difficulty biting and chewing
  • Speech problems
  • Greater risk of chipped teeth
  • Accelerated tooth wear and decay
  • Chronic jaw pain

The BHO Method

At Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we pinpoint potential underbite issues in children by examining contributing factors for every patient, including:

  • Jaw size
  • Oral bite
  • Facial growth patterns
  • Permanent tooth eruption patterns

In addition to these measures, we also ask about the patient’s family history. Genetics plays a significant role in underbite development, and family history can reveal important details about how malocclusion may develop over time. 

Using these combined details, we develop a treatment plan to permanently correct the underbite at an early age. Children aged 10 and younger respond particularly well to a combination of palatal expanders and reverse pull headgear (RPHG). 

Early Treatment Options

Here’s how underbite treatment works in children 10 and under:

    • A palatal expander is used to widen the patient’s upper jaw and create more space for teeth. Expanding the upper jaw allows us to improve jaw alignment, reduce crowding, and provide teeth with the space they need to grow into their proper positions.
    • Reverse pull headgear (RPHG) is an orthodontic appliance that anchors to the patient’s chin and forehead. Usually worn at night, RPHG uses steady pressure to stimulate growth and bring the upper jaw (maxillary) forward. Elastic rubber bands connect the headgear to the child’s molars to pull the upper jaw forward. Over time, the pressure of the elastics also encourages the lower jaw (mandible) to grow down and backward, until the top teeth can rest properly upon the lower jaw. Treatment usually lasts 12 to 14 months.

These treatments are very successful with children because young jawbones are malleable and respond reliably well to pressure. As children age, however, it is harder to predict how effective these approaches will be. 

Although expanders and headgear can still benefit patients aged 11-13, appliances may not fix the issue completely. Instead, they may reduce an underbite’s severity enough so that it responds well to other treatments. Beyond age 13, a child’s jawbones are usually too strong for expanders and headgear to make a significant impact on an underbite.

This leads right to our next topic: what underbite treatment looks like for patients over age 13. 

Do Braces Fix Underbite? Yes—Usually in Combination With Other Measures

Although underbites respond best to early interceptive treatment, many patients who did not receive childhood orthodontic treatment seek out care later as teenagers or adults. In these cases, orthodontists usually combine braces with additional measures to correct an underbite. 

Treatment methods vary according to the severity of the underbite and are influenced by the patient’s anatomy. In mild cases (i.e., jaws are misaligned by less than 3mm), the underbite can be treated with a combination of braces and elastic bands:

  • The braces use pressure to move teeth into their proper positions. With underbites, the braces generally move the upper teeth forward so they sit properly upon the lower teeth.
  • Elastic bands use pressure to pull upper teeth forward. The elastics are strategically connected to brackets on the lower and upper braces to pull the upper jaw forward continuously until it reaches the correct position. 

Camouflage

Many mild cases can also be treated with a procedure called “underbite camouflaging.” Camouflaging is an aesthetic approach to underbite correction. While braces and elastics move jaws into proper alignment, camouflaging helps eliminate the look of an underbite without moving the jaws themselves. In mild cases, camouflaging entails strategically polishing the teeth so that they fit together like a normal bite.

Extraction

Oral-Surgery

For moderate underbites (5-7mm), we often need to create space within the mouth to properly align teeth and reposition the jaws. Tooth extraction is often the easiest way to produce this space. In most cases, we’ll remove the first premolars, then use braces to eliminate crowding and bring teeth into alignment. Elastics then pull the upper jaw forward to complete the correction.

Surgery

Extraction can also correct some severe underbite cases (over 8mm), but there are times when jaw surgery is the only viable treatment path. While jaw surgery may sound intimidating, it’s often the best option for severe underbites. Surgery also provides numerous benefits, including:

  • Significantly improved facial profile
  • More effective biting, chewing, and swallowing 
  • Reduced rates of dental decay and wear
  • Clearer speech
  • Potentially easier breathing

Of course, there’s only one way to really determine which treatment approach is right for you: by attending a professional orthodontic consultation. 

Ready to Improve Your Smile? Contact Beverly Hills Orthodontics Today to Schedule an Appointment

Although underbites are best treated at a young age, using expanders and headgear, braces are a viable way to treat underbites in teenage and adult patients. However, to successfully correct an underbite the braces must be combined with additional methods, including elastics, tooth extraction, or surgery. If you’re ready to begin treating your underbite, Beverly Hills Orthodontics is here to help. 

Here at BHO, we use the latest tools and methods to correct all sorts of malocclusions, including underbites. During your consultation, we will work together with you to develop a holistic care plan that honors your schedule and treatment preferences. To get started, contact one of our offices in Beverly Hills, Studio City, Alhambra, our Downtown LA, today.

Do braces fix underbites? They absolutely can—with the help of a licensed orthodontist. Call or text us at (310) 785-0770 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation.

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patient reviews

Enjoy our 5-star experience.

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our communities with the highest quality care. Check out what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us!

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J I.
Best Orthodontics around! Dr. Madan and her amazing team are always on point, bringing both my kids beautiful smiles. Have been coming to the BH office for several years now and absolutely love the results and customer service! Would (and have) highly recommended them!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! Your vote of confidence in our practice is why we do what we do!
Rachel F.
We love Dr. Madan. She’s thorough, reassuring, kind and compassionate. Can’t recommend her enough!!
dulce D.
Started my dental care journey for a little over a year . So far , the staff and service is excellent. Expectations exceeded. Keep up the good work! Highly recommended!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that your experience has exceeded expectations. Our team is dedicated to providing excellent service, and we appreciate your recommendation. Looking forward to continuing your dental journey!
Catherine L.
I had braces in my teen years but couldn’t complete treatment at that time. I’ve always been insecure about my teeth. Fast forward to being 36 years old and living in LA, I called several places to find the best fit. I knew from the FIRST call with BHO that I was in the right hands, they were incredible. I mean this in every sense of the word. They were compassionate, transparent about pricing, genuinely happy to be helping me and smart. I was consistently met in the clinic for my routine appointments with the same technicians (I didn’t notice any turnover) and staff who were professional, knowledgeable and held my hand every step of the way.

They have a number to text which makes scheduling super smooth, and I probably rescheduled my appointments a million times during the process due to travel but they were always really chill and nice about it - helping work around whatever my schedule was that month.

Now for Dr. Monica. She is one of the nicest and smartest doctors I have ever met. She listened carefully, never rushed me, and addressed every concern I had about my teeth. She was always 100% supportive and deeply understood how much having a new smile meant to me. She remembered me every time I saw her in the clinic and has the best energy. I had one tooth that was a little bit challenging and she immediately knew what the solution was to get me to my fantasy smile. The appointments in clinic were 100% painless. This treatment, doctor and clinic have truly changed my life. I almost still can’t believe it.

Okay so I obviously love this place, and while I can’t comment on other clinics, I can confidently say - if you choose Beverly Hills Orthodontics with Dr. Monica Madan you will be held in the best hands, have the best care and they will make it their personal mission to make your dream smile become reality. Thank you so much, Beverly Hills Orthodontics!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Catherine! We're thrilled to hear you had an amazing experience with us. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we look forward to helping you achieve your smile goals!
Morgan O.
I am so impressed with the team at Beverly Hills Ortho. Dr. Madan is so lovely and takes the time to speak with every patient. Her team is incredibly professional. I found the cost of treatment to be comparable with other practices in the Los Angeles area. And most importantly, I love my new smile! Totally recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Morgan! We're thrilled to hear that you love your new smile and appreciate Dr. Madan and our team's dedication. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Teddy T.
Dr. Maden and her team are amazing! I came in after having braces in high school but still needed my bite fixed, which I thought would be nearly impossible now in my 30s. In just over a year with Invisalign, they not only corrected my bite but made my teeth straighter than braces ever did. My fiancée and I were blown away by the results! She also got Invisalign and is so satisfied. The staff is so kind, welcoming, and professional. I’m so happy I found this office and plan to bring my family here for years to come.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Teddy! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Maden and the team. We look forward to continuing to serve you and your family!
Chelsea C.
Went in for a free consultation. I saw Dr. Serena and Angela who helped answer all my questions. The staff that took my scans were also very nice and friendly!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Chelsea! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Serena and Angela addressed all your questions and that our staff made your visit enjoyable. We look forward to seeing you again!
Gabriella Q.
I had such a great experience with Dr. Monica Madan that I felt compelled to share. From the first phone call to book my appointment, the team was warm, kind, and on top of everything—no runaround, just genuinely nice people who make you feel welcome right away.

The office is gorgeous—very polished and high-end—but it still feels friendly and human, not cold or cookie-cutter. Meeting Dr. Madan really sealed it for me: she’s incredibly professional and also genuinely warm. She took her time, explained everything clearly, and never made me feel rushed.

The best part? After a thorough exam, she told me my teeth were perfect and I didn’t need any treatment. No upsell, no pressure—just honest care. That kind of integrity is rare, and it really showed me she puts patients first.

If you want an orthodontist who offers a luxury experience with a real human touch, I highly recommend Dr. Madan. She and her team make you feel special, respected, and truly cared for from start to finish.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Gabriella! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Madan and our team. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we look forward to seeing you again!
Taylor B.
Highly recommend Dr. Madan and her staff at BHO. Extremely comprehensive care and always willing to go the extra mile. So happy with my results.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Taylor. We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with Dr. Madan and our team. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we appreciate your recommendation!
valeria
Overall the best experience, definitely helped me get my self confidence back with my smile!!🥰
Response from the owner:We truly appreciate your feedback, Val! It’s fantastic to know that we positively impacted your self-confidence and smile. Thank you for choosing us and sharing your experience! We’re here for you anytime you need us.
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