Correcting A Large Overbite for Teenage Patient

Alex was first seen in our office for a new patient exam when he was 13 years old. He received a full
dental examination and radiographs. He did not have any caries, but his clinical examination revealed an excessive overbite. Alex had become more conscious about his appearance as he had entered his teenage years. His chief complaint regarding his teeth was that he did not like his overbite. Alex’s feeling about his teeth and how they looked to others is a valid chief complaint.

In a recent study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, it was shown that having ugly teeth could greatly contribute to the problem of bullying. According to the study, teeth were the number one targeted physical feature to increase a child’s chance of being bullied. Dr. Robert Varner, president of the American Association of Orthodontics, added that dental practitioners have long been aware of the relationship between how teeth look and poor self-esteem no matter what age the patient is. Dr. Varner mentioned how “a person’s smile is very important in communication and interpersonal relations. Our teeth are visible, so when they are poorly aligned, this can be an easy target for teasing or bullying. Parents often confide that their child is being ‘teased’ about the appearance of his or her teeth.”