Can Invisalign Fix an Overbite?

Overbites are when the upper front teeth overlap with the lower front teeth, thankfully Invisalign exists! Although, sometimes hereditary overbites can also be caused by poor childhood oral habits like nail biting, prolonged thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. Invisalign aligners can be used to fix several dental problems, including an overbite.  

Can Invisalign fix an overbite?

7 out of 10 dental disorders are overbites, so it is not surprising that there are a lot of treatment options available. Traditional braces remain the top orthodontic device used to treat overbites, but Invisalign aligners can also be used to treat the disorder.

What type of problems can overbites cause?

Overbites can cause a lot of pain if left untreated as well as psychological issues. Some of the most common physical issues caused by overbites include:

• Chewing and eating problems
• Pain in the jaw caused by strained jaw muscles
• Speech impediments, including lisps
• Soft tissue damage caused by the bottom teeth constantly hitting the roof of the mouth
• High risk of front tooth damage because of the position of the teeth
• Worn tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities and gum disease

How Invisalign can be used to fix an overbite

The Invisalign treatment option uses clear retainer-like aligners to move teeth into place. Before a patient gets a tray of aligners to fix their dental disorder, a 3D rendering of their mouth is made by their dentist.  Then their dentist creates a treatment plan and shows the patient a projection of how their teeth will gradually move into place until the overbite has been corrected.

After the treatment plan is agreed upon, the dentist will send the 3D scan to a dental laboratory to get the tray of aligners that will be used to fix the overbite made. To get the maximum benefit and desired effect, the aligners have to be worn for at least 22 hours a day and should not be removed unless the patient is eating, brushing their teeth or cleaning the aligners.

When it comes to treating overbites, the Invisalign moves the teeth upwards, moving the gums at the same time, while keeping the proportions the same. Each of the aligners provided is programmed to move the teeth in sequence until they are in the desired position.

Invisalign should be worn for two weeks before being discarded for a new pair until all the aligners are finished and the overbite has been fixed. The treatment typically takes 12 to 18 months, depending on the severity of the condition.

Even though Invisalign is effective in treating overbites, there is a limit to what it can do and it is not recommended for severe cases of overbite. However, the company recently added the Precision Cuts option, which incorporates elastic bands to treat more advanced bite problems.

Conclusion

Invisalign allows people to fix dental problems like overbites discreetly without having metal brackets and wires stuck to their teeth for years. If you have an overbite and want to fix it without using braces, ask your dentist if Invisalign is right for you.

Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistofvisalia.com or call Visalia Care Dental at (559) 975-1213 for an appointment in our Visalia office.

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