Can Invisalign Fix an Overbite?

For people with an overbite, there are now more treatment options than ever before.

Traditionally, braces were the go-to treatment for this condition. Now there are less invasive options such as Invisalign to help you align teeth and fix minor to moderate overbites.

Invisalign are custom-made clear aligners that help gently straighten teeth into their correct position.

They take less time to show results as compared to traditional braces. And these are discreet, safe, and less painful than other orthodontic treatment options currently available!

The question we most commonly get about Invisalign is can these fix my overbite or crossbite? And our answer is usually – it depends on your specific condition.

But there’s some general information that can give you an idea about whether these can help you. And in this article, we’ll cover just that.

What Is an Overbite?

In most cases, our lower front teeth are behind the upper front teeth when we close our jaws. Most of us usually have a small amount of overlap.

A gap of 3 millimeters is considered within the healthy range. When the distance between the upper and lower teeth is less than 3mm and these overlap, then it’s called an overbite or a deep bite.

Overbites make up approximately 70% of all dental problems.

That can lead to different associated problems such as:

• Premature teeth deterioration.
• Pain in the jaw due to strained muscles and jaws.
• Loss of enamel due to excessive friction, which can lead to cavities and gum diseases.
• Speech difficulties due to improper muscular or dental structure.
• Difficulties in eating or chewing normally.
• Headaches and migraines.
• Soft tissue injuries resulting from bottom teeth scraping against the roof of the mouth.

What Causes an Overbite?

Genetics can influence your chances of having an overbite. More often, however, the reason is poor oral practices.

Certain behaviors in early childhood such as tongue thrusting, thumb-sucking, nail-biting, and long-term pacifier use can all play a part.

Types of Overbite

An overbite is caused by either dental or skeletal problems.

Dental overbites happen because of improper placement of teeth, while skeletal overbites suggest problems with the jaw. There are two main types of overbites; vertical and horizontal.

A vertical overbite is when your top teeth drastically overlap your bottom teeth. A horizontal overbite is caused by a horizontal misalignment between the upper and lower front teeth, also called ‘buck teeth’.

Both the reason for your condition, whether skeletal or dental and the type of overbite you suffer from will have a bearing on your orthodontist’s approach and treatment choices for you.

Overbite and Crossbite

Another condition closely related to overbite is called a crossbite. It occurs when some of the upper teeth sit inside your lower teeth, rather than on the outside.

These lower teeth that lie in front of the front teeth can either be at the front or in the back. Crossbite is also sometimes called an underbite.

Does Invisalign Fix Overbite?

In simple words, yes.

Invisalign is a tool that can help correct mild to moderate overbites and crossbites.

Each smile is different and so its success depends on each individual case. In most cases, Invisalign can be very effective in correcting your smile.

Great! So How Does It Fix The Overbite?

Invisalign is an orthodontic tool available to adults, teenagers, and children. These are custom-made for each patient. We laser-cut them to precision to fit your teeth, making them a perfect option for children and adults of all ages.

The exact duration of use varies from case to case, but the difference is visible in as little as six months.

Invisalign has shown great results in correcting orthodontic issues and even does the job quicker than metal braces. Some factors that impact outcome are age and patient compliance.

Fixing Overbite in Different Age Groups

It's easier to fix an overbite in adolescence. Misalignments can become more pronounced and harder to rectify with progressing age. Also, the severity of your overbite influences the treatment plan and duration.

For patients 12 and younger, the patient's growth is used to help correct the overbite. We use specially designed equipment called “Invisalign Mandibular Advancement” to properly guide your child’s expanding jaw and teeth structure.

For Invisalign overbite correction in older patients, we prefer using elastics along with Invisalign. These elastics are similar to those used with braces. They slowly move the bottom teeth forward while moving the top teeth back, thus correcting the overbite.

Precautions with Invisalign

Since Invisalign is made of plastic, it’s less harsh on your gums and requires fewer precautions.

We recommend that you remove the Invisalign for sports, eating, and drinking. Maintenance for the aligners and teeth is much simpler than wire braces.

For the aligners, a thorough wash with soapy water is enough. You can then clean the teeth by brushing and flossing after removing the tray.

Other Conventional Treatments for Overbite

To change the alignment of your teeth, we need to apply pressure over time to achieve the wanted appearance.

In the past, treatment options to correct an overbite were limited. Usually, metal braces, tooth extraction, or surgery were used to correct teeth alignment.

Metal or wire braces are the most commonly used option. But these pose many challenges such as discomfort or pain, difficult cleaning, eating restrictions, and irritation.

Moreover, braces are unappealing to look at and cause a lack of confidence in adolescents and children.

We sometimes use tooth extraction along with metal braces to repair an overbite. Then we retract the upper front teeth into the space we get from the removed tooth. Not only is this procedure painful for many people, but can also lead to other dental issues down the line.

We Provide Overbite Treatments with Invisalign

Invisalign is a newer way of overbite correction. It’s a simple plastic aligner system that sits on top of teeth and helps realign them gently.

These are less invasive, faster, and more discreet and cause less discomfort than braces. The clear trays are inconspicuous to look at, most often completely invisible. Invisalign is safer for soft muscle and much easier on the jaw and gums.

If you’re looking to fix your overbite and get a more radiant, confident smile, then check out how we use Invisalign to help your smile. Contact our Invisalign dentists at North Little Rock Dean Dental Solutions Office today to find out if this is the right treatment for you.