Does Invisalign Work for Overbites?

Overbites occur when your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth. A slight overbite is normal and healthy. However, severe overbites can lead to injury, TMJ disorder, pain in the joints, increased injuries, and speech problems. Do Invisalign trays work for overbites? Absolutely!

An overbite is a condition where the upper and lower teeth overlap in a way that isn’t functionally adequate. Overbite problems are common in children and some adults. They can often cause aesthetic issues and excessive wear.

How Clear Aligners Fix an Overbite

As with other types of tooth misalignment and orthodontic therapy, Invisalign trays can correct an overbite. You’ll wear a series of clear aligners that shift your teeth a little at a time. We digitally map the areas of your bite that need to be moved, and you’ll change out your Invisalign every two weeks. Each pair of aligners is slightly different so that they gently press at key points in your smile. There are no wires or brackets required.

Invisalign is digitally programmed, so we can see your tooth movement prior to treatment beginning. If your overbite falls within the capabilities of correcting it with clear aligners, then we may recommend Invisalign. In rare, severe situations, oral surgery is occasionally recommended.

What Causes Overbites?

Overbites are often caused by improper jaw development. Most overbites occur when a child’s jaws develop in an uneven way due to genetic issues, oral habits, or swallowing patterns. Issues like prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use, bottle or sippy cup use, or tongue thrusting are common causes.

How are Overbites Corrected?

Overbites are treated in the same way as other situations involving misaligned teeth. Your facial profile will be adjusted to bring the upper front teeth up or back appropriately. At the same time, your lower front teeth may even be moved slightly forward.

Why Should I Worry About Treating an Overbite?

Protruding teeth can change your facial profile, make you more self-conscious, and predispose you to dental injuries. Although most people seek treatment to correct overbite problems due to cosmetic reasons, abnormal bite patterns can also cause:

• Difficulties when you chew, eat, or bite into food
• Speech impediments
• Jaw or TMJ strain and pain
• Increased risk of injuries or emergencies
• Uneven tooth wear
• Greater risk of tooth decay and gum disease
• Tissue trauma

By investing in your bite alignment, you can improve the overall health of your smile and joint function. It’s never too late to finally invest in your smile or the way you feel about your teeth. Overbite correction with Invisalign is a discreet way to correct your bite alignment without having to wear traditional metal braces.

Other Types of Overbites

Horizontal overbites, also called “overjets,” are when the top teeth protrude well beyond the bottom teeth. Overjets cause teeth to splay outward and may prevent the lips from closing against one another whenever your mouth is at rest. They can also inhibit speech and dietary intake.

On the other hand, a vertical overbite occurs when the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth. When the teeth are biting against one another, one overlaps the other one to where you can see little of its tooth surface. The extent of overlap determines the severity of your overbite and is measured by our Downtown San Diego dentists during your exam.

Sometimes, an individual can have both vertical and horizontal overbites at the same time. The anatomy of the individual’s bone and bite alignment will determine whether Invisalign is the best treatment.

San Diego Invisalign Dentists

The team at AlignBar of Downtown San Diego are highly qualified Invisalign providers who can offer the best care for complex bite problems like overbites, underbites, overjets, and more. You want to choose a skilled Invisalign dentist who has dealt with hundreds of cases similar to yours, especially if you have a severe overbite.

Call AlignBar of Downtown San Diego to find out how Invisalign can help you treat your overbite.