An overbite is something many people may have to some degree, but when the upper teeth sit too far over the lower teeth, it can sometimes cause problems. You might notice changes to the way your teeth meet, discomfort when biting, or simply feel unhappy with how your smile looks. The good news is that there are ways to improve an overbite.
When it comes to how to fix overbite, the best treatment will depend on your teeth, bite, and overall dental health, so there is no single solution. An orthodontist can assess your smile and explain which approach is likely to give you the best result, while also making sure your treatment is safe and suitable for you.
Understanding overbites and when treatment may be needed
An overbite simply describes the way your upper front teeth sit over your lower front teeth when you close your mouth. A small amount of overlap is completely normal and helps your teeth meet properly when you bite and chew. It becomes more of a concern when the upper teeth cover too much of the lower teeth.
A deep or excessive overbite means there is more overlap than would usually be expected. In some cases, the lower teeth may be difficult to see when you smile or close your mouth. The amount of overlap can vary from person to person, so an assessment is needed to understand how significant the overbite is.
A deeper overbite does not always cause noticeable problems, but there are some signs that it may be affecting your teeth or bite, including:
- Difficulty biting or chewing comfortably
- Jaw discomfort when eating or closing your mouth
- Increased wear or damage to the teeth
- Irritation to the gums or roof of the mouth
- Feeling unhappy with the appearance of your smile
Treatment can be worthwhile when an overbite is affecting your comfort, how your teeth function, or your oral health. Improving the way the upper and lower teeth meet can make everyday activities such as biting and chewing easier, while also helping to protect the teeth from unnecessary wear or damage.
The cause and severity of an overbite shape the treatment plan
There is no single reason why an overbite develops. Sometimes, it is mainly down to the position of the upper front teeth; in other cases, the way the upper and lower jaws have grown can have a bigger influence. Genetics can also play a part by affecting the size, shape, and position of the teeth and jaws.
A dental overbite is mainly caused by the position of the teeth rather than the relationship between the jaws. A skeletal overbite is different because the way the jaws have developed contributes to the bite. This distinction is important because moving teeth can often address a dental problem, while a skeletal issue may need a more involved approach.
Habits can sometimes affect how the teeth and jaws grow, especially things like prolonged thumb sucking or dummy use during childhood. However, these habits are not always the cause, as factors such as genetics and natural growth can be more significant and may change the position of the front teeth.
The severity of an overbite also matters when deciding how to treat it. A mild problem caused by tooth position may be relatively straightforward to manage, while a more pronounced overbite involving the jaws can be more difficult. An orthodontist will look at both the cause and severity before recommending the most appropriate overbite correction option.
How braces can help
Fixed braces for overbite work by gradually moving the teeth into better positions, which can help improve the way the upper and lower teeth meet. Small brackets are attached to each tooth and connected with a wire. The wire applies gentle pressure, guiding the teeth towards their planned positions over time.
The wires are adjusted throughout treatment to keep the teeth moving in the right direction. Your orthodontist may also use additional components, such as elastics, to help change the way the upper and lower teeth fit together. These can be particularly useful when correcting the bite as well as straightening the teeth.
Traditional metal braces are still widely used, but they are not the only fixed option. Tooth-coloured, ceramic, and lingual braces can make the brackets less noticeable while working much in the same way, but the most suitable type will depend on your teeth, bite, and treatment needs.
Braces can be a useful option when an overbite involves more complicated tooth movements. Because each tooth can be controlled quite precisely, fixed braces can give an orthodontist greater control when several teeth need to be moved, or the bites need more detailed correction.
Discreet overbite correction options
Clear aligners like Invisalign can offer a less noticeable way to correct some overbites. They are made from a series of clear trays that fit over your teeth. Each tray makes small adjustments to the position of the teeth, with the next tray continuing the process until the teeth have moved into their planned positions.
Aligners can be suitable for some mild to moderate overbites, particularly when the problem is mainly linked to the position of the teeth. Your orthodontist may also use small attachments or elastics to help achieve the movements needed. However, aligners are not suitable for every overbite, especially when more complicated movements are required.
Compared with fixed braces, one of the biggest differences is that clear aligners for overbite can be taken out, meaning you can remove them for meals and when cleaning your teeth. They are also much harder to notice. Fixed braces stay in place throughout treatment and can offer greater control when more complex movements are needed.
The right option depends on the individual overbite and the specific movements needed to correct it. An orthodontist can assess your teeth and bite before recommending the approach that is appropriate for your particular needs.
What happens in complex overbite cases
Some overbites are more pronounced because of the way the upper and lower jaws have developed, which are known as skeletal overbites because the relationship between the jaws has a bigger influence on the bite than the position of the teeth alone. These cases may need a different approach from a straightforward tooth alignment problem.
Moving teeth can improve how they come together, but braces cannot change the underlying position or size of the jaw bones, meaning orthodontic treatment on its own may not fully be enough to correct a significant difference between the jaws. The approach your orthodontist recommends will depend on factors like age, jaw development, and how severe the discrepancy is.
For more complex cases, treatment may include:
- Growth modification in younger patients, using orthodontic appliances to help guide jaw development while the jaws are still growing.
- Orthodontic treatment combined with jaw surgery in suitable adults, with surgery used to reposition the jaws and orthodontics used to align the teeth.
These cases need a thorough assessment before treatment begins. An orthodontist will look at how the teeth and jaws relate to each other, how much correction is needed, and whether the jaws are still developing. This allows a treatment plan to be created around the individual’s needs and the results that can realistically be achieved.
A tailored approach to overbite correction
Every overbite is different, so treatment needs to be planned around the individual. At Direct Dental Clapham, we assess how the teeth and jaws fit together, the extent of the overbite, and the changes needed before recommending a suitable approach rather than following a set formula. This helps ensure treatment is based on your particular needs rather than simply choosing the most familiar option.
If you are considering overbite treatment, an orthodontic assessment can help you understand what may be possible. Your orthodontist can explain the different approaches, what each treatment involves, and what results can realistically be achieved. Having this information from the start can make it easier to choose a treatment that fits both your dental needs and your preferences.
FAQs
At what age can an overbite be treated?
An overbite can be treated at different ages, depending on what is causing it and how severe it is. For children, treatment may sometimes start while the jaws are still growing. This can give the orthodontist an opportunity to guide jaw development and the way the bite develops. There is no set age.
Adults can also have treatment for an overbite, even when the jaws have finished growing. Orthodontic treatment can move the teeth into better positions, although larger differences between the jaws may need a different approach. An orthodontic assessment can help determine whether treatment is suitable and when it should begin.
Can an overbite come back after treatment?
An overbite can return to an extent after treatment because teeth naturally tend to move over time. This is known as relapse. The risk can vary depending on the overbite, the treatment used and how the teeth settle afterwards. Changes in the mouth can affect how stable the result remains.
Wearing retainers as advised is an important part of keeping the teeth in their new positions. Retainers help maintain the results once active treatment has finished. Your orthodontist will explain how often to wear them and for how long. Following this advice can reduce the chance of the overbite returning.
When is surgery needed for an overbite?
Surgery may be needed when a severe overbite is caused by the position or size of the jaw, rather than the teeth. In these cases, braces or clear aligners can move the teeth, but they cannot correct a difference between the jaws. Jaw surgery can help improve how they fit together.
For adults with a severe skeletal overbite, treatment may involve braces or clear aligners before and after surgery. This helps move the teeth into the right positions around the corrected jaw. Surgery is not normally needed for mild or moderate overbites that can usually be treated effectively with orthodontics alone.
