Non-surgical underbite correction in Beverly Hills starts with the jaw, not the teeth. Dr. Joseph Goodman, DDS, DMD, has corrected bites here for 27 years. He trained in Germany and the United States. He tests a new jaw position with TMJtrac for 2 to 3 weeks before anything becomes permanent. This page walks you through how that works, what it costs you in time, and who it suits.
Most patients arrive after hearing two words they dreaded, jaw surgery. The fear underneath is real. You give up a year of your life. You still cannot see the result until the bone heals. Waiting carries its own price. An underbite wears your teeth down and strains the joint over the years. Face-Driven Dentistry reads your jaw, joint, chin, and profile as one picture rather than a row of teeth.
What Is an Underbite, and Can You Fix It Without Surgery?
An underbite means your lower front teeth sit ahead of your upper front teeth when you close. Around 5 to 10 percent of people have one to some degree. Many cases improve without surgery. The lower jaw is guided toward a better position. That position gets tested before anything is final.
Where your lower jaw sits drives far more than your smile. Push it forward, and the chin, lips, and jawline follow it. Dr. Goodman studies how the upper jaw, the lower jaw, and the joint relate to each other first. A severe case rooted deep in the bone can still call for surgery. He tells you that directly.
What Happens If You Leave an Underbite Untreated?
An untreated underbite tends to worsen, and your teeth pay first. The lower teeth grind against the uppers with nearly every bite. Over 10 to 20 years, worn teeth chip, crack, or turn sensitive. Jaw pain, clicking, and headaches often follow as the joint compensates for the position it is stuck in.
An underbite also reaches past your teeth. Chewing takes more effort, and some patients notice their speech sounds less clear than it used to. Strain on the joint can settle in as a long-term problem rather than a passing ache. Handled now, the plan usually stays simpler than it would be in ten years.
What Causes an Underbite?
Most underbites trace back to jaw growth and family genes rather than anything you did wrong. Knowing the cause helps Dr. Goodman shape a plan that fits your face. Here are the reasons an underbite forms in the first place.
- Genetics, since jaw size and jaw shape run in families
- A lower jaw grown longer or set further forward than the upper jaw
- An upper jaw grown too small or positioned too far back
- Childhood habits such as long-term thumb sucking or tongue thrusting
- Losing baby teeth early, which changes how the bite develops
- Mouth breathing and low tongue posture during the growing years
Every cause on that list shows up in the jaw, not in a single tooth. That is why the correction has to start there. A narrow upper jaw often brings a crossbite along with it, and non-surgical crossbite correction covers that case. Adults can be treated at any age, since the method works with the jaw you have today.
How Does Dr. Goodman Correct an Underbite Without Surgery?
TMJtrac is the heart of the method. It tests where your lower jaw and condyle belong rather than guessing at it. You live in that tested position for 2 to 3 weeks. Class 1 Veneers then hold the new position in place. No braces, no surgery, and no grinding down healthy teeth.
The order matters more than any single step. Dr. Goodman establishes and verifies the jaw position first. Only then does he design the restorations around it. You watch your profile and jawline change during the test. Nothing comes as a surprise at the end. Results vary by patient, and your exam and imaging decide what is realistic for your case.
Non-Surgical vs Surgical Underbite Correction: Which Do You Need?
Patients usually arrive with one option on the table and want to know the difference. The table below lays out both paths across what people ask about most. Use it as a starting point for your consultation rather than a verdict on your case.
| Option | How it works | Recovery | Typical timeline | Preview before final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthognathic jaw surgery | Bone is cut and repositioned, with orthodontic work before and after | Weeks of healing | Often 2 to 3 years start to finish | No |
| Face-Driven Dentistry with TMJtrac | The jaw and TMJ position is tested, then held with Class 1 Veneers | None | Weeks | Yes, during the 2 to 3 week test |
Surgery remains the honest answer for a small number of severe cases. Dr. Goodman says so plainly when your anatomy calls for it. He will not sell you a plan that cannot reach your goal. You leave the first visit with real options rather than one answer applied to everyone.
Are You a Candidate for Non-Surgical Underbite Correction?
Good candidates have healthy teeth and gums along with an underbite driven by jaw position. Gum disease or decay gets treated first, since the foundation has to be sound. Here is what makes someone a strong fit.
- An underbite tied to where the lower jaw sits
- Healthy teeth and gums with no active gum disease
- A joint able to settle comfortably into a tested position
- Willingness to wear the test restorations for 2 to 3 weeks
- Interest in the whole lower face, not the teeth alone
- Realistic goals for a balanced, natural-looking result
Many patients arrive after a consultation elsewhere ended in a surgical referral. They want a second opinion before committing to the operating room. You get a straight answer here before you spend a dollar.
What Does the Process Look Like, Step by Step?
Three stages carry you from the first visit to the final result. Dr. Goodman finds the ideal jaw and condyle position. He tests it with TMJtrac for 2 to 3 weeks. Then he places the final Class 1 Veneers. Many patients see a change in profile at that first appointment.
The test period is what separates this from a surgical plan. You eat, speak, and sleep in the new bite before committing to it. Adjustments happen while the work is still temporary, which is the whole point. Dr. Goodman gives you an honest quote after your exam, with each stage written out in plain numbers.
What Does Non-Surgical Underbite Correction Cost?
Your cost depends on your own anatomy, so no honest quote exists before an exam. Dr. Goodman looks at your jaw position, your joint, and the condition of your teeth. He prices the test phase and the final restorations separately. You get the full figure in writing before any work begins.
Compare it against the real alternative rather than against a filling. Jaw surgery carries hospital fees, anesthesia, orthodontic work on both ends, and time away from your job. Ask our front desk about financing when you book, since payment plans are available. Nobody at this office asks you to decide at the first visit.
Will Your Corrected Bite Hold?
A tested jaw position tends to hold, because the restorations support it with every bite you take. Dr. Goodman checks the fit at follow-up visits. He makes adjustments as your muscles settle into the new position over the following months.
Outcomes vary from patient to patient, and nobody can promise one result for everyone. What he can promise is honesty about your odds before treatment starts. Patients with joint symptoms often ask about TMJ and TMD care at the same visit. The two fit together naturally, since both come back to where the jaw sits.
Fix Your Underbite and Balance Your Smile with Dr. Goodman
Dr. Joseph Goodman has corrected underbites in Beverly Hills for 27 years. He trained in Germany and the United States. Patients come to the Beverly Drive office from Bel Air, Holmby Hills, and Westwood, near Beverly Gardens Park. He treats the jaw, the joint, and the face as one system. That is the idea behind Face-Driven Dentistry, and it is why bite correction comes before cosmetics here.
The next step is simple, and it comes with no pressure at all. Call (310) 860-9311 or visit topbeverlyhillsdentist.com to book an honest exam. Dr. Goodman will tell you whether your underbite can be corrected without surgery. You will know where you stand before you commit to anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an underbite correct itself without treatment?
No, an underbite does not resolve on its own. Leaving it alone invites trouble later. Cleveland Clinic notes that untreated malocclusion can lead to tooth erosion, gum recession, and jaw pain over time. Your bite stays where it is until treatment addresses it. Starting sooner usually keeps the plan simpler and shorter.
Does an underbite cause jaw pain or headaches?
It can. The joint and muscles work harder to compensate for a bite out of position. Mayo Clinic lists jaw tenderness, ear ache, headache, and neck pain among the symptoms of TMJ disorders. Many patients come in for the look and stay for the comfort. Dr. Goodman evaluates the joint at your first visit.
How common are bite problems like underbites?
More common than most people expect. One review of worldwide data found some degree of malocclusion in roughly 56 percent of people. Only a portion of those cases need treatment. Underbites make up a smaller share of the total. Your exam determines whether yours needs attention.
Does an underbite affect confidence?
For many people, yes. Published research has found that some adults avoid social situations because of how they feel about their teeth. Patients often describe hiding their profile in photographs for years. A balanced jaw position changes how the lower face reads, and results vary by patient.
