DS has an underbite - what can I expect?

[SniffyHock]

In the future that is? He is nearly 4. I think DD has the same. Do we have lots of dentistry work ahead of us??

I am presuming you mean when he closes on his back teeth his front lower teeth bite in front of his top ones?

Does either parent have the same dental arrangement?

At just 4 there is plenty of scope for things to sort themselves out.

Also lots of young children 'posture' their chin forward when they bite so what you see is not the true way their teeth meet.

I certainly would not worry at all at this age.
Hope this is of some help.

Thanks jasper - it's just as you described, his bottom teeth rest in front of his top teeth. Neither DH or I have this.

I don't think it's a posture as the dentist mentioned it but I didn't really register as I'd never noticed it before

Anyone else? Has your child experienced this?

Is the dentist taking lots of photos to track progress? (If he won't, there's nothing to stop you from doing your own smile and profile photos)

My DS was diagnosed with an overbite/overjet by our dentist and referred to the orthodontist. The orthodontist said that overbite/jet (his was 12mm and the definition for OB was 6mm) was normal at his age (around 11), because the lower jaw lags a bit in growth from the upper. Sure enough, a couple of years later, everything was in-sync.

I would say that with an underbite, it is definitely worth tracking growth and seeing an orthodontist earlier than typical.

DS (22 months) has a v noticeable underbite so will watch this thread with interest.

He is on an NHS dentist waiting list and we were told by them over the phone not to worry as nothing would be done about an underbite until adult teeth.

The dentist said that he might have to have a brace when he's 7/8 but then said "unless it's his jaw, that's a different matter". ???? I didn't ask what that meant!

His teeth touch (if that makes sense) just the 'wrong' way around.

Weegle - my dentist said that they start earlier now - as soon as all of his adult teeth are through.

? all the adult teeth aren't through until late teens.

Both my DDs have this, and neither DH nor I. Dentist said that sometimes it corrects itself when the adult teeth come through, but DD1 has had her first adult teeth (5 yo) and there is no change. Am seeing dentist again in a few weeks.

I find neither of them can say "f" very well - funny = sunny etc, because if you try saying a phonetic f with your lower jaw sticking out it comes out as s.

I hope they don't need braces, but I have a feeling they will. It's call a malocclusion type 3 (just don't google it )

maybe I added that bit?? but he definately said 7 or 8.

Maybe I need to go back and ask more - dentist is good but not very eloquent iykwim? I feel a bit confused but i guess there's nothing I can do so maybe should stop fretting.

A trip to the orthodontist at 7 or 8 sounds right. They might not do anything for a few years, but like to keep track of how things are moving.

Changes with age are very dramatic, so it is definitely not something to worry about, but rather keep and eye on.

Thanks ScienceTeacher

Ds has this too. We have recently changed dentists, and I am reassured that they are both saying that same.

Which is that they will not do anything until ALL the adult teeth are through, as the appearance of adult teeth, especially molars will significantly change the 'mouth layout'.

So we will wait and see. Ds will be 9 in August but only has 7 of his adult teeth so far (aww bless)