Underbite Treatment in Farmington, UT

Medically reviewed by Dr. Andrew Welling, DDS, MS

If you’re searching for underbite treatment in Farmington, there’s a good chance you already know something isn’t right with your bite. Maybe your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth. Maybe your jaw looks like it juts forward. Maybe chewing feels off, or your child’s dentist flagged it at their last checkup.

Whatever brought you here, you’re in the right place. As an orthodontist in Farmington, UT, Bailey-Welling Orthodontics has been treating underbites and other bite problems across Davis County for over 50 years, and we can tell you this: underbites are very treatable, especially when you catch them early.

What you’ll learn on this page:

• What an underbite actually is (and how it’s different from a crossbite)
• Signs to look for in kids and adults
• Why early treatment can help you fix an underbite without surgery
• How we treat underbites at every age at our Farmington office
• Treatment options and timelines
• Cost and insurance information
• What happens at your free consultation

What Is an Underbite?

Underbite (Class III Malocclusion): A bite condition where the lower jaw extends forward, causing the bottom teeth to overlap in front of the upper teeth. It can be caused by genetics, childhood habits, or uneven jaw growth, and it ranges from mild to severe.

An underbite is one of the more noticeable bite problems because it changes the way your face looks from the side. When the lower jaw sits too far forward, your profile can look unbalanced. But underbites aren’t just a cosmetic issue. They affect how you chew, how clearly you speak, and over time they can cause uneven wear on your teeth and strain on your jaw joints.

Some underbites are skeletal, meaning the lower jawbone itself grew larger or more forward than the upper jaw. Others are dental, where the teeth themselves are angled incorrectly even though the jaws are relatively normal. 

Some people have a combination of both. Figuring out which type you or your child has is the first step, and that’s exactly what Dr. Welling and Dr. Cortez assess during your free consultation at our Farmington office.

Underbite vs. Crossbite: What’s the Difference? A lot of parents search for “underbite” when what their child actually has is an anterior crossbite, and vice versa. An underbite means the entire lower jaw sits forward of the upper jaw, affecting all or most of the front teeth. A crossbite is when only some teeth are misaligned, with upper teeth biting inside the lower teeth on one or both sides. They require different treatment approaches, and sometimes they overlap. If you’re not sure which one you’re dealing with, that’s completely normal. Your orthodontist in Farmington will sort it out at your consultation.

Signs You or Your Child May Have an Underbite

Not every underbite is obvious right away, especially in kids whose jaws are still growing. Here are some things to watch for:

In children: Your child’s lower teeth close in front of their upper teeth. Their chin looks more prominent than expected for their age, sometimes described as a “bulldog bite” appearance where the lower jaw juts forward noticeably. They have trouble biting into food with their front teeth, or they tend to chew in an unusual way. A dentist or pediatrician has mentioned a jaw growth concern. Speech sounds like “s” or “sh” come out differently than expected, or you’ve noticed a lisp that doesn’t seem to be improving with age.

In teens and adults: Your lower jaw visibly sits forward when you look at your profile, giving a protruding lower jaw appearance. You experience jaw pain, jaw popping, clicking, or tension, especially in the morning. Your teeth don’t line up when you bite down. You notice uneven wear on certain teeth. Chewing feels awkward or certain foods are hard to eat. You’ve developed speech issues or a lisp that you didn’t have before, or one that’s gotten worse over time.

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s worth getting it looked at. An underbite rarely improves on its own, and in most cases, the longer you wait, the more complex treatment becomes.

Why Early Underbite Treatment Matters

This is one of the biggest things Farmington families need to know: with underbites, timing matters more than almost any other orthodontic issue.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends kids have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. For underbites specifically, that recommendation is critical. When a child’s jaw is still growing, orthodontists can use appliances like 3D expanders or other growth modification techniques to guide the upper jaw forward and correct the relationship between the jaws before it becomes a bigger problem.

This is called two-phase treatment, and you might also hear it referred to as Phase 1 orthodontics. Phase one happens while your child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth, focusing on the jaw relationship. Phase two comes later with braces or Invisalign to fine-tune the alignment once all the permanent teeth are in.

Why does this matter so much? Because once the jaw stops growing (typically mid-to-late teens), the window for non-surgical correction starts to close. A skeletal underbite that could have been addressed with a growth appliance at age 8 might require surgical orthodontics at age 20. That’s a significant difference in complexity, cost, and recovery time.

If your child is between 7 and 10 and you’ve noticed any signs of an underbite, our 7 & Up Kids Club is designed for exactly this situation. We monitor jaw growth at regular intervals and only recommend treatment when the timing is right.

How We Treat Underbites at Bailey-Welling Orthodontics in Farmington

There’s no single fix for every underbite. The right treatment depends on the cause, the severity, and the age of the patient. Here’s what treatment looks like at different stages:

Underbite Treatment for Kids in Farmington

For young patients whose jaws are still developing, early intervention focuses on correcting the jaw relationship before it becomes fixed. Finding the right orthodontist for kids in Davis County matters here, because underbite treatment in children requires specific expertise in growth modification. Treatment often includes palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw, reverse-pull headgear to encourage forward growth of the upper jaw, or functional appliances that help both jaws grow into a better position. The goal is to get the jaws working together properly while your child’s body is naturally doing the heavy lifting of growing.

Your child’s orthodontist at Bailey-Welling will use the iTero Digital Impression System to create precise 3D images of your child’s teeth and bite. No goopy impressions, no gagging. Just a quick, comfortable digital scan that gives us exact measurements to plan treatment.

Underbite Treatment for Teens in Farmington

Teens whose jaw growth is mostly complete but who have a mild to moderate underbite often do well with braces or Invisalign combined with elastics. Our P21 self-ligating brackets use a slide mechanism instead of traditional wire tightening, which means less pressure, fewer adjustments, and more comfortable treatment overall. For teens who are self-conscious about the look of braces, Iconix esthetic braces offer champagne-colored brackets that blend with the teeth, or Invisalign Teen provides a clear aligner option.

Some teen underbite cases also benefit from the Carriere Motion Appliance or the Forsus appliance, which help correct the bite relationship without the need for more invasive approaches.

Underbite Treatment for Adults in Farmington

Adults with underbites have options too. Mild to moderate cases can often be corrected with braces or Invisalign for adults using a technique called dental camouflage, where the teeth are moved to compensate for the jaw position even though the jaws themselves aren’t changed.

More severe skeletal underbites in adults sometimes require a combination of orthodontics and orthognathic (jaw) surgery. If that’s the case, your orthodontist will tell you upfront during your consultation so you know exactly what you’re looking at before committing to anything.

Underbite Treatment Options at a Glance

What Happens If You Don’t Treat an Underbite?

It’s a fair question, and here’s the honest answer: underbites don’t get better with time. In most cases, they get worse.

An untreated underbite puts uneven stress on your teeth every time you bite down. Over years, that leads to premature wear, chipping, and sometimes cracking of teeth that would otherwise be perfectly healthy. Your jaw joints (the TMJ) absorb extra strain too, which can lead to chronic jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty opening your mouth fully.

For kids, an untreated underbite can affect how the face develops. Because the lower jaw is positioned too far forward, it can change the proportions of the face as they grow, making correction more difficult later on.

The practical takeaway? Whether it’s you or your child, getting an evaluation sooner rather than later is almost always the smarter move.

Your Orthodontists in Farmington

Underbite treatment requires real expertise. It’s not a simple alignment case, and you want an orthodontist who has seen hundreds of them and knows the difference between a case that needs early intervention, one that needs braces, and one that needs surgery.

Dr. Andrew Welling earned his DDS from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and completed his orthodontic residency and Master’s degree at the same university. He grew up right here in Bountiful and lives in Davis County with his family. He brings additional training in digital orthodontics, clear aligner treatment, and smile esthetics to every case he treats.

Dr. Rett Cortez completed his dental degree at the University of Utah and his orthodontic residency at Loma Linda University. He’s passionate about the way a corrected bite changes not just how patients look, but how they feel about themselves. He takes the time to build real relationships with every patient and family he works with.

Both doctors are members of the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association, and they bring the support of a practice that has been serving Davis County families since 1971.

Oh, and if you or your child gets nervous at the orthodontist, you might run into Ralphie, our office support dog. He’s been known to calm a few nerves.

Frequently Asked Questions: Underbite Treatment in Farmington, UT

Can an underbite be fixed without surgery?

Yes, many underbites can be corrected without surgery, and that’s one of the most common questions we hear from Farmington families. It depends on whether the underbite is primarily dental (the teeth are misaligned) or skeletal (the jawbone itself is positioned too far forward). Mild to moderate underbites, especially in children whose jaws are still growing, can often be fully corrected with braces, expanders, or other orthodontic appliances. Severe skeletal underbites in adults are the most likely to require surgery. The only way to know for sure is to have an orthodontist evaluate your specific case.

How long does underbite treatment take?

It varies. Early treatment for kids might involve 6 to 12 months of active appliance wear in phase one, followed by a waiting period, then 12 to 24 months of braces in phase two. For teens and adults, treatment typically runs 12 to 24 months depending on severity. Your orthodontist at Bailey-Welling Orthodontics will give you a clear timeline during your free consultation.

At what age should my child be evaluated for an underbite?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. For underbites specifically, early evaluation is especially important because there’s a window during jaw growth where non-surgical correction is most effective. If you’re a Farmington parent and your child’s lower teeth close in front of their upper teeth, it’s a good idea to bring them in sooner rather than later.

How much does underbite treatment cost in Farmington?

The cost depends on the type and duration of treatment. At Bailey-Welling Orthodontics, every consultation is free, and we provide a complete cost breakdown with no hidden fees. We accept most insurance plans, offer interest-free monthly payment options, and work with you on flexible financing so that cost doesn’t stand in the way of getting treatment started.

Is Invisalign an option for underbite correction?

In some cases, yes. Invisalign can correct mild to moderate underbites, particularly dental underbites where the teeth (not the jaw) are the primary issue. Bailey-Welling Orthodontics is a Diamond Invisalign Provider, so our doctors have extensive experience knowing when clear aligners will work for an underbite and when braces or other appliances are the better choice.

Underbite Treatment for Farmington Families: What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first visit at our Farmington office is completely free and takes about an hour. Here’s what happens:

You’ll be welcomed by our front desk team, and then we’ll take X-rays and photos to get a full picture of the teeth and jaw. Your orthodontist will personally examine the bite, explain exactly what’s going on, and walk you through the recommended treatment plan, the timeline, and all of your options. Before you leave, you’ll get a complete financial breakdown so you know exactly what treatment will cost and what your insurance covers.

You’ll leave with answers, not a sales pitch. That’s how we’ve done it for over 50 years.

If you’d rather get a head start before coming in, you can also submit a virtual exam from home.

Serving Farmington and Surrounding Davis County Communities

Our Farmington office is located right on State Street, just down the road from Station Park. We see students from Farmington High and Davis High regularly, and families from Centerville, Kaysville, Fruit Heights, and Layton all find our office easy to get to. We also have a Bountiful office on Pages Lane for families closer to that side of the county.

Bailey-Welling Orthodontics has been part of Davis County since 1971. With over 530 combined five-star Google reviews across both locations, families in Farmington and throughout the county trust us with their orthodontic care. That kind of reputation isn’t built overnight. It’s built one patient at a time, over decades.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Ready to find out what’s going on with your bite or your child’s bite? Visit Bailey-Welling Orthodontics at one of our two convenient Davis County locations:

Bailey-Welling Orthodontics – Farmington
122 E State St, Farmington, UT 84025
(801) 451-6664

Bailey-Welling Orthodontics – Bountiful
59 W Pages Ln #100, Bountiful, UT 84010
(801) 292-1222