Can Invisalign® be used to fix my overbite?

One of the most common questions we hear from patients is: Can Invisalign fix my overbite? That’s no surprise since overbites are one of the most common dental issues! An overbite is what happens when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. While a slight overbite isn’t much of an issue, an excessive overbite can cause problems. The good news is: If you have an overbite, orthodontic treatment can help! Even better, Dr. Oltjen and the team at Oltjen Orthodontics can get you started on your journey today! In some cases, such as with older teens and adults, Invisalign clear aligners can be used to treat overbites. Our goal is to bring a patient’s overbite or deep bite back to an acceptable level. However, Dr. Oltjen typically does not recommend Invisalign to treat overbites in children and younger teens.

What you’ll read online is that Invisalign can correct most overbites and deep bites. While this is true, it’s essential to choose the best treatment for your unique case. When we use Invisalign to treat overbites, it works by gently realigning patients’ teeth and bites by using gentle pressure from the clear aligners. And the fact that they’re clear means they’re not as noticeable, so you can show off that smile even while you’re in treatment!

Invisalign isn’t just limited to fixing overbites. It can correct other dental issues, including:

  • Underbites
  • Crossbites
  • Gap Teeth
  • Crowded Teeth
  • Open Bites

What is an overbite?

What exactly is the difference between a simple overbite and an excessive deep bite? To answer that, let’s look at a few numbers from the American Dental Association.

The ADA estimates that overbites comprise up to 70 percent of dental issues in kids. A typical, “normal” overbite is one with less than 3mm of space between the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed naturally. An overbite that needs treatment has about 3-5mm of space between the teeth. A deep bite has more than 5mm of space.

So what causes overbites and deep bites? Various factors, from small lower jaws to sucking the thumb or using a pacifier up to or past age 3. Some kids get into a habit of thrusting their tongue against their teeth at a young age. These behaviors can also affect teeth and jaw development and can make an overbite worse.

Is an overbite that bad? Well, it can be. Our teeth fit together so we can chew our food more efficiently. An overbite causes the teeth to become misaligned, so the teeth rub or press against each other during chewing. This friction can cause your teeth to wear down much faster, leading to cavities and tooth loss further down the road. The misalignment can also cause jaw pain, which could make eating more difficult, notably hard foods. An overbite could cause problems later on with nutrition and overall health.

Correcting an overbite with Invisalign®

Both braces and clear aligners (like Invisalign or 3M clear aligners) can be used to correct overbites and deep bites. The general idea is the same. Both braces and Invisalign apply just enough pressure to move the teeth into a more proper position. An orthodontist guides the process until they’re straighter and have less than 3mm of space between the upper and lower teeth. At Oltjen Orthodontics, we believe that no two patients are the same. There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all treatment plan. That’s why we will always recommend the treatment that will provide the best results for you or your child. During your free consultation, we will evaluate different treatment options with you — including the likelihood of achieving your desired results and length of treatment.

Invisalign corrects an overbite using clear, removable aligners that are a custom fit to your mouth. While clear aligners are designed to match the jaw’s shape and adapt to the severity of the overbite, it is not always the treatment option for an individual’s case. During your free consultation, Dr. Oltjen will evaluate your case and determine if Invisalign is an option for you or your teen.

How does Invisalign work?

We know what you’re thinking: So how does it all work? Oltjen Orthodontics uses the latest technology from Invisalign and 3M Clear Aligners to give you the precise fit you need.

The first step for those in Overland Park or Olathe, KS, is to visit Oltjen Orthodontics. We’ll start with taking a detailed, three-dimensional scan of your teeth to figure out what your needs are. Don’t worry! You won’t have to experience that goopy stuff getting squished around your teeth.

Once that’s done, we create a customized treatment plan designed to straighten that smile. The clear aligners are cut to match the gumline without rubbing or irritating it.

You’ll change out your aligners every week or two and pick up a new set when you visit Oltjen Orthodontics every 6-8 weeks for progress checkups. It won’t take long before you start to see results! Patients often begin to see changes in just a matter of a few weeks. In some cases, Invisalign treatment can take a little as six months.

In the end, you will walk away with a normal bite and a beautiful smile.

Fixing other issues with Invisalign

Invisalign and 3M Clear Aligners aren’t just for fixing overbites and deep bites. Clear aligners can be used to improve other dental issues, including crowded teeth, gap teeth, and crossbites. Such cases can occur independently or with an overbite, but Invisalign can fix these problems either way.

While the aligner moves those teeth back to a more normal bite, it can also straighten teeth and move gapped teeth closer together. We can even use Invisalign to fix crossbites and underbites. While underbites are rarer, they still need to be corrected to protect the teeth and keep jaw pain from developing later.

Invisalign can correct all of these issues!

Retaining that Invisalign smile

It’s one thing to get that beautiful smile; it’s another thing to keep it. That’s where retainers come in. Retainers are recommended for use once you finish Invisalign treatment. The retainers we use at Oltjen Orthodontics are 30% stronger and twice as durable as the older, standard retainers. Because you’ll wear your retainers at night, you don’t have to worry when showing off that beautiful new smile during the day.

Schedule a free consultation today!