– An underbite? Here is how we fix it.
An underbite, where the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper teeth, is one of the bites where timing really matters. Here is what it is, why treating it early helps, and how a specialist orthodontist corrects it.
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Reviewed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, Specialist Orthodontist. Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics), registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
Underbites, corrected
Real Milk Orthodontics patients, treated by a specialist and shared with their permission. Your own plan is designed for your specific case.
What an underbite is
An underbite is when the lower front teeth close in front of the upper front teeth, instead of behind them. It is usually because the lower jaw is longer, or the upper jaw is set back, and it often runs in families. It is the one bite where seeing a specialist early can make the biggest difference.
Why early helps
In a growing child we can gently guide the jaws while they are still developing, which can avoid or reduce the need for bigger treatment later. That is why we like to see underbites young.
Why it is worth treating
An underbite can make biting and chewing harder, wear the front teeth unevenly, strain the jaw, and affect speech and confidence. Correcting it protects the teeth and the bite.
How we treat it
In children, an expander and a facemask can guide jaw growth. In teens and adults, braces or aligners realign the teeth, and a small number of severe skeletal cases are best combined with jaw surgery, which we will always be honest with you about.
Underbites vary a lot, from simple to genuinely complex, so an honest specialist opinion matters. A free Smile Assessment tells you exactly what is going on and whether treatment is needed. We treat this in children, teens and adults.
Clear pricing, no surprises
The first step is a free Smile Assessment, in the clinic or over Zoom. A full diagnostic work-up with a written plan and exact quote is $390. Simple cosmetic treatment from $7,900, comprehensive specialist treatment from $9,900 with most cases around $10,400, all-inclusive of records, appliances, appointments, retainers and aftercare. Interest-free in-house plans work out around $60 to $76 a week, and family discounts apply for siblings.
Answered honestly
What is an underbite?
An underbite is a bite where the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth when you close, instead of behind them. It is a form of Class III bite and usually comes from the way the jaws have grown. A specialist orthodontist can tell you how much is due to the teeth and how much to the jaws.
Can an underbite be fixed without surgery?
Most underbites can. In children, guiding jaw growth early with an expander and facemask often avoids surgery altogether. In teens and adults, braces or aligners correct many cases. Only a small number of severe skeletal underbites need jaw surgery, and we will tell you honestly if yours is one of them.
What is the best age to treat an underbite?
Earlier is often better for underbites, because we can guide the jaws while a child is still growing, sometimes from around 7 to 9 years. That said, underbites are treated successfully at every age, so it is never too late to get an assessment.
How much does underbite treatment cost?
Simple cosmetic treatment starts from $7,900 and comprehensive specialist treatment from $9,900, all-inclusive of records, appliances, appointments, retainers and aftercare, including GST. Early interceptive treatment for children can be less. You get an exact written quote after your free assessment.
See exactly what your bite needs
A free 20 minute Smile Assessment, in the clinic or over Zoom. No referral needed, no obligation, just honest specialist advice on your underbite and the best time to treat it.
See more before and after results, or explore other conditions we treat.