Understanding Your Overbite: Dental vs. Skeletal
Not all overbites are the same, and the type of overbite you have determines whether Invisalign is a good option. There are two main categories: dental overbites and skeletal overbites.
Dental Overbite
A dental overbite occurs when the upper front teeth extend too far over the lower front teeth due to tooth position. The jaws themselves may be properly aligned, but the teeth have erupted at an angle or position that creates excessive vertical overlap.
Dental overbites are the type most treatable with Invisalign. The aligners can tip, rotate, and reposition teeth effectively when the underlying jaw relationship is normal or near-normal.
Skeletal Overbite
A skeletal overbite involves a size or position discrepancy between the upper and lower jaws. The upper jaw may be too far forward, the lower jaw too far back, or both. This creates an overbite that cannot be fully corrected by moving teeth alone.
Mild skeletal overbites can sometimes be camouflaged with Invisalign by repositioning the teeth to compensate for the jaw discrepancy. Moderate to severe skeletal overbites typically require braces, and in some cases, orthognathic (jaw) surgery to achieve a stable, functional result.
How Invisalign Corrects an Overbite
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made clear plastic aligners that are changed every 1 to 2 weeks. Each aligner makes small, incremental movements to shift teeth into their planned positions. For overbite correction, several additional components are typically needed beyond the aligners themselves.
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Elastics are small rubber bands that connect hooks on the upper aligners to hooks on the lower aligners. They apply a continuous force that helps pull the lower jaw forward or push the upper teeth back, depending on the configuration. For overbite correction, Class II elastics are the most common type used.
Wearing elastics consistently, typically 20 to 22 hours per day, is critical for overbite correction. Inconsistent elastic wear is one of the most common reasons overbite treatment with Invisalign takes longer than planned or produces incomplete results.
SmartForce Attachments
Attachments are small, tooth-colored bumps bonded to specific teeth during treatment. They give the aligners something to grip, allowing more precise control over tooth movement. For overbite cases, attachments are often placed on the premolars and canines to help with intrusion (pushing teeth up into the bone) and tipping movements.
Without attachments, aligners can only slide over smooth tooth surfaces and have limited ability to make the complex movements needed for bite correction. Most overbite cases require attachments on multiple teeth.
Mandibular Advancement for Adolescents
Invisalign First with Mandibular Advancement is designed for growing patients, typically adolescents between ages 11 and 16. This system includes built-in features that encourage the lower jaw to grow forward while simultaneously aligning the teeth.
This approach works because adolescents still have active jaw growth. In adults, the jaw bones have finished growing, and mandibular advancement through aligners alone is not effective. Adult patients with significant skeletal overbites typically need different treatment approaches.
How Long Does Invisalign Take to Fix an Overbite?
Treatment time for overbite correction with Invisalign varies based on the severity of the overbite and how consistently you wear your aligners and elastics.
Mild overbites may be corrected in 12 to 18 months. Moderate overbites typically require 18 to 24 months. Complex cases that involve significant tooth movement and bite correction can take up to 30 months, including refinement aligners.
Refinement aligners are additional sets of aligners ordered partway through treatment to fine-tune the results. Most overbite cases require at least one round of refinements. This is normal and does not indicate that treatment has failed. It reflects the complexity of correcting bite relationships compared to straightforward alignment cases.
When Traditional Braces Are a Better Choice
Invisalign has become increasingly capable, but there are situations where traditional braces remain the more predictable option for overbite correction.
- Severe skeletal overbites where the jaw discrepancy is significant. Braces provide more precise control for complex movements and can be combined with surgical jaw correction.
- Cases requiring significant vertical tooth movement (intrusion or extrusion). Braces with archwires are more efficient at these movements than aligners.
- Patients who are unlikely to wear aligners and elastics consistently for 20 to 22 hours per day. Braces work continuously because they are fixed to the teeth.
- Young children who need early interceptive treatment (phase 1 orthodontics) before all permanent teeth have erupted.
- Cases involving multiple missing teeth, severe crowding combined with a deep overbite, or teeth that need to be moved large distances.
Cost of Invisalign for Overbite Correction
Invisalign treatment for overbite correction typically costs between $3,000 and $8,000. Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity. Overbite cases tend to fall on the higher end of the range because they require more aligners, elastics, attachments, and longer treatment times compared to simple alignment cases.
Many dental insurance plans that cover orthodontics will apply the same benefit to Invisalign as they would to braces, typically covering $1,000 to $3,000 of the total cost. Check with your insurance provider for your specific coverage details.
Most orthodontists offer monthly payment plans that spread the cost over the duration of treatment. Some also accept health savings accounts (HSA) or flexible spending accounts (FSA), which allow you to pay with pre-tax dollars.
When to See an Orthodontist About Your Overbite
An orthodontist is the dental specialist trained to diagnose and correct bite problems, including overbites. While general dentists and some cosmetic dentists offer Invisalign for straightforward alignment cases, overbite correction involves complex biomechanics that benefit from an orthodontist's 2 to 3 years of specialty residency training.
If your general dentist has mentioned that you have an overbite, or if you notice that your upper front teeth significantly overlap your lower teeth when you bite down, an orthodontist consultation is the best next step. The consultation will typically include X-rays and a clinical exam to determine the type and severity of your overbite and whether Invisalign, braces, or another approach is most appropriate.
Find an Orthodontist Near You
Every orthodontist on My Specialty Dentist has verified specialty credentials. Search by location to find orthodontists in your area who treat overbites with Invisalign, braces, or both, and schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
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