A Class III is a very common orthodontic complaint. Between three and five percent of the population has a lower jaw that is to some degree longer than the upper jaw.
Signs include lower front teeth that protrude ahead of the upper front teeth, causing a crossbite, which causes the upper teeth to bite inside the lower teeth, towards the tongue. Crossbites in both front and back teeth can cause biting and chewing difficulties, so are usually corrected at an early stage.
Lower jaw protrusion can run in families, with a large lower jaw and small upper jaw being hereditary. As well as causing aesthetic problems that can lead to low self-confidence, an untreated protruding lower jaw can also cause excessive wear on the enamel of the back teeth.
In some cases it is best to treat patients after the age of 18, when the jaws have stopped growing. However, early intervention can also prove helpful and can help boost patients' self-confidence. Whatever your age, if you are concerned about lower jaw protrusion you should visit us for a consultation – help is always available.
Braces are a common treatment to correct lower jaw protrusion. When you visit us for your initial orthodontics consultation, our orthodontists will carry out a thorough examination of your mouth to aid in diagnosis. We will then recommend the best treatments available to you, as well as advising the best age to start treatment for younger patients.
We offer the very latest in modern orthodontic technology, including traditional fixed braces, which can be made out of metal or tooth coloured ceramic. The brackets are fitted to your teeth with very thin wires in between, to gently adjust the position of your teeth and improve your smile.
We also offer lingual braces, the perfect choice to change your smile without anyone knowing you are having orthodontic treatment – unless you choose to tell them. Lingual braces work in a similar way to fixed braces, but are fixed to the back of your teeth, making them completely invisible when you smile. Back to Orthodontics