--- title: "Underbite UK | Causes & Orthodontic Treatment (2026)" url: https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/underbite description: "An underbite means the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth when biting. Braces, aligners, or surgery can correct it depending on severity." updated: 2026-10-15T00:00:00Z publisher: Virtual Consultant Online --- # Underbite Treatment UK An underbite happens when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. Some cases are mild while others affect bite function and tooth wear. Orthodontic treatment such as [clear aligners](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners) or [braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces) can often improve bite balance. ## Signs of an underbite Lower front teeth sit ahead of upper teeth The lower jaw appears more prominent Biting or chewing may feel uneven Teeth may chip or wear unevenly ## What does an underbite mean? An underbite occurs when the lower teeth bite in front of the upper teeth, caused either by tooth position or by the jaw relationship, and it usually needs orthodontic or combined surgical treatment to correct. Orthodontic treatment focuses on improving tooth position and bite contact. In more complex cases, jaw position may also influence the treatment plan. ## Why do underbites happen? **Jaw relationship:** the lower jaw sits further forward. **Tooth position:** upper teeth tipped back or lowers tipped forward. **Growth patterns:** bite relationships often develop during childhood. **Compensation:** teeth may shift to adapt to the bite. ## What treatments correct an underbite? **Clear aligners:** sometimes suitable when tooth position is the main factor. [Clear Aligners Overview](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners) **Braces:** often recommended when bite control or more complex movement is needed. [Braces Overview](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces) ## Problems related to underbite **Overbite** Upper teeth sit too far over the lowers. [Learn about overbite →](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/overbite) **Crossbite** Upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. [Learn about crossbite →](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crossbite) **Crowded teeth** Crowding may affect bite alignment. [Learn about crowded teeth →](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crowded-teeth) **Teeth sticking out** Tooth position can influence bite balance. [Learn about protruding teeth →](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/teeth-sticking-out) Check Your Bite Upload guided photos to see whether the underbite appears mild or part of a wider bite pattern. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) Related Problems [All Problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Crooked teeth](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crooked-teeth) [Crowded teeth](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crowded-teeth) [Crowded teeth treatment cost](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crowded-teeth-treatment-cost) [Gaps in teeth](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/gaps-in-teeth) [Gaps in teeth treatment cost](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/gaps-in-teeth-treatment-cost) [Overbite](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/overbite) [Overbite treatment cost](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/overbite-treatment-cost) [Underbite](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/underbite) [Underbite treatment options](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/underbite-treatment-options) [Crossbite](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crossbite) [Crossbite treatment options](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/crossbite-treatment-options) [Open bite](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/open-bite) [Teeth sticking out](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/teeth-sticking-out) [One tooth out of line](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/one-tooth-out-of-line) [Relapse after braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/relapse-after-braces) [Retainer does not fit](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/retainer-does-not-fit) [Clear aligner not fitting](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/clear-aligner-not-fitting) [Missing teeth](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/missing-teeth) [Teeth straightening for adults](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/teeth-straightening-adults) [See your future smile](https://virtualconsultant.online/tools/smile-visualisation) [All Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) [Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces) [Adult braces near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/adult-orthodontist-near-me) [Clear braces near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces-near-me) [Emergency orthodontist near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/emergency-orthodontist-near-me) [Clear Aligners](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners) [Ceramic Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/ceramic-braces) [Lingual Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/lingual-braces) [Invisible Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/invisible-braces) [Retainers](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/retainers) [Retainers near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/retainers-near-me) [Replacement retainers](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/replacement-retainers) [Do You Need Braces?](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/do-you-need-braces) [How Long Do Braces Take?](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/how-long-do-braces-take) [Braces for Adults](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/braces-for-adults) [Orthodontic Quote Online](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/orthodontic-quote-without-visiting) [Adult braces UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/adult-orthodontics-uk) [Am I suitable for clear aligners?](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/am-i-suitable-for-clear-aligners) [How to compare orthodontists](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/how-to-compare-orthodontists) [Lost or broken retainer](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/lost-or-broken-retainer) [Fixed vs removable retainers](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/fixed-vs-removable-retainers) [Broken braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/broken-braces) [Loose bracket](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/loose-bracket) [Orthodontic emergency advice](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/orthodontic-emergency-advice) [IOTN Score Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/iotn-score-checker) [NHS Eligibility Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/do-i-qualify-for-nhs-treatment) [Braces Cost](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs/braces-cost) [Braces cost near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/cheap-braces-near-me) [Clear aligners cost near me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners-near-me) [How to take orthodontic photos](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/process/how-to-take-orthodontic-photos) [Browse Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) ### Frequently asked questions Can aligners fix an underbite? Clear aligners can treat mild dental underbites where the lower front teeth are positioned slightly too far forward relative to the upper, but the jaw relationship is broadly acceptable. In these cases, aligners can retract the lower front teeth or advance the upper teeth to improve the relationship. Skeletal underbites — where the lower jaw itself is the primary cause — are typically not well managed by aligners alone and often require fixed braces, especially in adults where jaw growth is complete. Is an underbite genetic? Jaw size and position patterns tend to run in families, so there is a significant hereditary component to skeletal underbites. If a parent or grandparent had a strong lower jaw or prominent chin, similar features may appear in children. Dental underbites — where tooth position rather than jaw size is the cause — also have some familial tendency but are more amenable to orthodontic correction without surgical involvement. A specialist assessment will identify whether your underbite is primarily dental or skeletal in origin. Will fixing an underbite change my face? Underbite correction can meaningfully change the lower face appearance. Reducing a prominent lower jaw or bringing the upper teeth forward can alter the lip relationship and profile. In cases treated with braces alone, changes are more modest. In cases requiring orthognathic surgery, the profile changes can be significant — improving the chin projection, lip support, and overall facial balance. Many patients seek treatment partly for aesthetic reasons alongside the functional benefits of a corrected bite. How long does treatment take? Treatment timelines for underbite vary considerably by case type. A mild dental underbite treated with braces or aligners may be corrected in 12–18 months. More complex dental underbites can take 18–24 months. Skeletal underbites requiring surgical correction involve pre-surgical orthodontic preparation (typically 12–18 months), the surgery itself, and post-surgical orthodontics (6–12 months), making the total timeline 24–36 months or more. A specialist orthodontist will give a realistic estimate after a full clinical records assessment. What causes an underbite? Underbites can be dental — where the lower front teeth are positioned too far forward relative to the upper — or skeletal, where the lower jaw itself is larger or more forward than the upper jaw. Skeletal underbites are often hereditary and tend to become more apparent during teenage growth. Dental underbites may be related to tooth positioning and are more amenable to orthodontic correction alone. Does an underbite always need surgery to correct? Not always. Mild-to-moderate dental underbites can often be corrected with braces or aligners alone, particularly in growing patients. Significant skeletal underbites in adults — where the jaw itself is the primary cause — often need a combination of orthodontic treatment and orthognathic jaw surgery for the most stable and comprehensive correction. A specialist orthodontist can assess whether surgical intervention is likely after a full examination. Can an underbite be treated on the NHS? Dental underbites that meet the IOTN grade 4 or 5 threshold can be treated on the NHS for under-18s in England. Skeletal underbites requiring jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) may be eligible for NHS combined orthodontic-surgical treatment at any age if the functional need is clinically significant — this is one of the few situations where adults can access NHS orthodontic care. Your dentist can assess and make a referral for eligible cases; adult patients with a skeletal underbite should ask specifically about an orthognathic pathway rather than a standard orthodontic referral. Understanding Underbite ### How Underbite Treatment Usually Works Underbites can affect how the teeth meet and how the bite functions. Orthodontic treatment focuses on improving tooth position and bite alignment. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) Takes about 5 minutes • No obligation 1. Assess the bite Bite evaluated. 2. Plan treatment Treatment planned. 3. Guide teeth Teeth move gradually. 4. Maintain results Retention maintains results. Treatments [Explore](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) Problems [Explore](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) Costs [Explore](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) Explore your options Quick links Not sure where to start? Use these quick links to explore orthodontic treatments, typical costs, and helpful guides that explain what different options involve. Whether you're researching braces or clear aligners, comparing pricing, or just getting a feel for what comes next, you can browse at your own pace and come back when you're ready to request a quote. Explore [Get Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) [Browse Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) [Teeth Straightening](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/teeth-straightening) [Browse Problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) [Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [NHS Eligibility Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/do-i-qualify-for-nhs-treatment) [IOTN Score Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/iotn-score-checker) [How To Take Orthodontic Photos](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/process/how-to-take-orthodontic-photos) [Online Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/online-orthodontist-uk) [Research Papers](https://virtualconsultant.online/research) [Social Channels](https://virtualconsultant.online/social) ## Want to see if underbite can be treated? A guided photo assessment can show whether your alignment looks like crowding, relapse after braces, or a bite pattern that orthodontic treatment could improve. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Explore Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) Takes about 5 minutes No obligation Citation details Title Underbite UK | Causes & Orthodontic Treatment (2026) Publisher Virtual Consultant Online Published 2024-06-01 Updated 2026-10-15 URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/problems/underbite](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/problems/underbite)