An overbite like other bite issues has negative impacts on your eating and chewing functions, speaking, and appearance. The common question orthodontists usually get asked is can Invisalign fix an overbite? People wonder whether these invisible braces are the right option for their overbite correction so that they don’t need traditional metal braces.
In this article, we go over whether Invisalign aligners can address overbite issues and also discuss more questions including:
- What is an overbite?
- How can Invisalign fix an overbite and what is the process like?
- What orthodontic issues can Invisalign treat?
- And more things about treatment time, cost, and why should you treat your overbite?
What is an overbite?
An overbite, or deep overbite, happens when upper teeth overlap the lower teeth significantly. Orthodontically, it means that the upper incisor (front) teeth fall over or protrude over the lower front teeth, called vertical overlap.
If the overbite accompanies a significant horizontal gap between the upper and lower teeth, it is called overjet.
An overbite is part of a routine orthodontics malocclusion that has been treated easily for years with braces and more recently by using Invisalign aligners. Overbite should be treated because it can make your eating and even teeth cleaning difficult. It also affects your smile and appearance negatively. This is why most people seek treatment to correct their overbite especially when it has created some problems in the person’s life. There are other risk factors with an overbite like jaw pain, enamel wear and tear, and higher risks of periodontal diseases due to poor oral health.
Can Invisalign fix an overbite?
The simple answer is Yes. Invisalign is a great option to fix the overbite since it is an advanced aligner system. Having Invisalign aligners also offers a removable type of orthodontics, an invisible type of appliance on the teeth, and a more comfortable treatment time than metal braces.
Invisalign is a series of custom-made clear plastic aligners that move the misaligned teeth incrementally. The Invisalign three-dimensional ClinCheck® computer software helps orthodontists predict and plan your overbite treatment.
One of the advantages of Invisalign aligners is its SmartTrack® material, a proprietary, highly flexible material that is able to apply constant force for tooth movement. But Invisalign takes advantage of more features to fix overbite and more complex cases for a straighter and healthier smile.
How can Invisalign treat an overbite?
Treating certain types of malocclusions like overbite or underbite demands special techniques especially if you are considering aligners.
For example, just as with metal braces, your dentist can use elastics (rubber bands) with Invisalign. To straighten teeth and move your bite, elastics are attached to the buttons between certain areas of the upper teeth and the lower teeth.
Invisalign’s buttons serve as anchor points and are small hook-shaped bumps.
One of the Invisalign techniques used for treating overbite in teens and younger individuals is mandibular advancement. Here, aligners utilize precision wings to push the lower jaw forward.
But Invisalign also uses another unique strategy called SmartForce® attachments to move the teeth that are normally difficult to rotate and displace with regular aligner designs.
Invisalign attachments, also known as buttons, are small tooth-colored bumps made of composite resin, the material used in composite dental fillings, and are bonded to certain teeth. They are designed to grip Invisalign aligners and help deliver the precision force system necessary for each tooth movement desired for each orthodontic situation.
For overbite correction, certain mechanisms are required to align the teeth and jaws. Engineers and orthodontists at Invisalign Align Technology came up with an innovative solution called G5 Deep Bite® to treat deep overbite and provide the best treatment results.
There are three key features that explain exactly how Invisalign G5 Deep Bite works to fix your overbite:
- Pressures areas:
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Pressure areas are a new system of SmartForce® feature added to aligners designs on the lingual surface of the front teeth. This innovative way allows the Invisalign aligner trays to apply intrusive force on the front teeth (anterior teeth) along the long axis. Therefore, an intrusion teeth movement with your Invisalign is achieved for your overbite treatment. In the case of metal braces, orthodontists may use mini-implants to anchor and achieve this difficult tooth movement.
- Optimized deep bite attachments:
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Specifically, optimized deep bite attachments provide two purposes when fixing your overbite.
Firstly, as anchorage in order to make aligner trays fixed in place and prevent them from sliding while front teeth are being moved intrusively.
Secondly, optimized deep bite attachments deliver extrusive forces to shift premolars when necessary. This helps to level the curve of Spee and align your overbite back into normal occlusion. When treated with braces, you obviously need to have the archwire and brackets fixed in your mouth.
- Precision bite ramps:
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Precision bite ramps are similar to attachments but they are not filled with composite. They are created and placed on the lingual surface of upper aligners for the purpose of deep bite and overjet correction. This cutting-edge engineering design helps to maintain the best position of teeth in both the upper and lower jaw and prevents unwanted forces.
What orthodontic issues can Invisalign treat?
Invisalign clear aligners are a discreet and highly esthetic type of orthodontics. Compared to metal braces, Invisalign is as effective and functional. Continuous improvements and advancements have enabled Invisalign aligners to treat even complex cases of tooth and jaw misalignment. Besides overbite, Invisalign will fix a wide range of teeth imperfections including:
- Crowded teeth
- Gap teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Underbite
- Open bite
- Crossbite
How long does it take to fix overbite with Invisalign?
Correcting overbite with Invisalign, just as with traditional metal braces, requires time, patience, and compliance. These are basics in any orthodontics. To bring teeth into alignment, Invisalign must be worn for 22 hours per day no matter what your type of treatment. Mild cases of overbite can be corrected with less time. You may have to wear the aligners from 6 to 12 months for less difficult overbite problems.
However, more severe overbite treatment can last up to 2 years. The more excessive the overbite, the longer the treatment.
Why should you have the overbite treated?
Deep overbite is one of the complex malocclusions to treat but is also a common treatment in orthodontics. When it is left untreated, overbite causes harmful effects on your teeth, smile, chewing functions, speaking, TMJ, and oral soft tissues.
Some of the negative impacts of an overbite include:
- Psychological and social issues in which the affected smile appearance leaves the individual to struggle with lower confidence and lower self-esteem.
- Causes eating and chewing problems
- Speech impediment and trouble speaking
- Make oral hygiene difficult and this causes teeth to be more prone to tooth decay and increases higher risks of gum diseases.
- Gum, the roof of the mouth, and other oral soft tissues can get damaged because of misaligned teeth rubbing and irritations
- Enamel damage is very likely due to the contact with misaligned teeth positions and also the risk of worn-out teeth and dental injury can get high with an excessive overbite.
- Jaw pain and great discomfort in your facial and jaw muscles which eventually may lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
How much does it cost to fix an overbite with Invisalign?
The cost of Invisalign can range from $3,000 to $8,000. Depending on the severity of your overbite case, treatment time, and the orthodontist you choose, the price of Invisalign varies and can be less or more expensive.
Get to know more about Invisalign dental insurance coverage to make your treatment affordable.
Do children and teens have easier overbite treatment with Invisalign?
Young or old, orthodontics is a dynamic process that works out to straighten teeth for better oral health and a brighter smile. Since the younger age population are still in the growing stages, their overbite can be addressed relatively easily. Orthodontists can guide the dentition and jaw discrepancies with Invisalign into the aligned position with much more ease with children and adolescents than adults. The same rule applies while using traditional braces. The main problem, however, with children is that they may not cooperate and wear the aligners daily for 22 hours. This makes braces still a better idea.
Some situations require even immediate action as early as possible. For example, palatal expansion and moving the jaws forward or backward direction can be achieved better while you are still young.
Regardless of braces or Invisalign, overbite correction in the early ages require a longer time to wear retainers. Again, until children and teenagers have their growth completed, including teeth eruption and jawbone growth, retainers should be worn longer to prevent the relapse of orthodontic changes that have been achieved.
Which one is better to treat an overbite: braces or Invisalign?
Traditionally, braces have been treating mild, moderate, and complex cases in orthodontics, including extreme forms of bite issues.
Due to growing demand for an aesthetically pleasing orthodontic appliance, new forms of braces like lingual braces, ceramic braces as well as Invisalign clear aligners have been developed.
Each one of them has its own advantages. Compared to conventional metal braces, Invisalign aligners are superior in many aspects because they are attractive and aesthetic. Invisalign, like its name says, is invisible and doesn’t call attention. This great benefit makes aligners more socially acceptable, especially for school and workplaces in public areas.
Invisalign is also removable, so you have a comfortable time during teeth cleaning and eating. Plus, there are no troubles while speaking. This why Invisalign aligners are a highly popular option among all people, adults (liked by both women and men), children, and adolescents.
An orthodontist should first examine the severity of your overbite case. After that, they plan and program a predictable and optimal result with Invisalign. If, however, you have an extremely complex overbite to fix with Invisalign, your orthodontist will suggest braces or orthognathic surgery, the only options available other than Invisalign.
