Exploring Bite Correction Procedures in Smile Makeovers

A smile makeover can address a wide range of potential visual defects and blemishes in the smile, from stains and chips to gaps between the teeth. However, bite correction is not something that most people know is part of a smile makeover. The good news is that revitalizing your smile does not have to exclude fixing bite issues.

Does a smile makeover include bite correction?

Many smile makeovers include bite correction as part of the process. Without properly aligning the biting surfaces of the teeth, a smile makeover adjustment may be less effective at best and actively disruptive to the wearer’s natural bite at worst.

For uneven wear

If a patient’s bite problem is due to uneven wear, which is when one area of the mouth experiences more contact than the others, a smile makeover can help. The most common approach to addressing an uneven bite in this context is to use crowns or dental bonding.

The dentist will choose the option that best suits the individual’s unique dental situation, but they will often opt for treatments that add to the teeth rather than shave them down. By installing crowns or other restorations, the dentist can change the height and topography of the teeth to match the area experiencing the most significant wear.

For alignment problems

Sometimes, a person’s bite may be equal on both sides when it comes to wear but still be inconsistent due to gaps or crooked teeth. During a smile makeover, a dentist has multiple options to address these issues. If the challenge is misaligned teeth, they may recommend that the patient undergo a course of aligner trays to shift the teeth to the proper positions. A dental veneer can fix the issue if the teeth seem small or there are gaps. It is applied to the front surface of a tooth, and the dentist can change its shape if necessary, such as to fill a gap.

For underbites and overbites

Underbites and overbites describe the jawbone's tendency to be aligned so the lower teeth either protrude in front of the upper teeth or are set back farther than is typical. This issue arises from genetic factors or jaw position, so treatment depends on the cause.

In some situations, the teeth can be moved to a straightened vertical orientation that restores a normal smile. In other cases, the patient may need to retrain their jaw to sit in a new position, which can be accomplished by using elastic bands affixed to brackets on the back teeth.