A small mismatch can be easy to miss, but a more noticeable underbite can change how your smile looks, how comfortably you chew, and how your teeth wear over time.

At Kendrick Orthodontics in Kissimmee, Florida, we treat underbites with braces and Invisalign for children, teens, and adults from Orlando and across Central Florida.

Signs You or Your Child May Have an Underbite

Common signs include:

Lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth when biting together
Chin looks more prominent, or the lower jaw appears ahead of the upper jaw
Trouble biting into foods like sandwiches, pizza, or apples
Wear, flattening, or chipping on the front teeth
A bottom-jaw-heavy smile or a more prominent lower jaw.
Jaw tension or discomfort in the cheeks and lower jaw muscles

If you notice these signs, an orthodontic evaluation is the best way to confirm what’s going on and which options make sense for your bite.

Why an Underbite Can Be a Problem

A noticeable underbite is more than a cosmetic issue. Left untreated, it can contribute to:

Excessive wear, flattening, or chipping of the front teeth
Difficulty biting and chewing certain foods
Higher risk of gum recession around the front teeth in some patients
Jaw joint or muscle discomfort in some cases
Facial imbalance that some patients don’t like
Speech changes in certain situations

Correcting the bite helps protect teeth and gums, improves function, and often creates a more balanced smile and profile.

What Causes an Underbite?

An underbite can develop for several reasons, including:

A lower jaw that grows larger or farther forward
A smaller or less forward upper jaw
Crowding or early loss of baby teeth that changes how teeth drift in
Genetics (jaw size and shape often runs in families)
A mix of tooth-position and jaw-position factors

During your visit, Dr. James Kendrick will take photos, X-rays, and a digital scan to determine whether the issue is mostly dental, skeletal, or both. That’s how we build a truly customized plan.

Underbite Treatment for Children and Teens

For growing patients, early treatment can make a real difference because the jaws are still developing.

Depending on the case, treatment may include:

Palatal expanders and growth-guiding appliances to support upper jaw development
Braces with elastics to improve how the upper and lower teeth fit together
Functional appliances or facemask therapy in select cases
Monitoring in mild cases until the timing is right

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up by age 7, which helps catch issues like crossbites and underbites early—before they become more complex.

Underbite Treatment for Adults

Adults can absolutely correct many underbites, even though the jaws are no longer growing. Modern orthodontics gives us strong, predictable tools.

Treatment may include:

Braces (metal or ceramic) for detailed control
Clear aligners such as Invisalign for a more discreet option
Elastics to help coordinate the bite
Expansion or other appliances in select adult cases
Orthodontics plus jaw surgery for severe skeletal underbites, when needed

Many adults tell us, “My teeth look straight, but my bite feels off,” or “My front teeth are wearing down.” With a careful plan, we can often improve comfort, function, and long-term tooth health—while also softening the look of the bite.