If you’ve been researching Invisalign online, you may have read that clear aligners can’t fix overbites. Or, maybe you visited a dentist for an Invisalign consultation in the past and you were told that it wasn’t a fit for you because of your overbite. While Invisalign can treat overbites, the belief that it can’t isn’t exactly a misconception—when Invisalign was first introduced, it really was just for minor teeth alignment issues. Since then, the technology and materials have advanced to the point where Invisalign can treat a wide range of orthodontic problems, including overbites. Good news, right? We think so too! Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding Overbites
Overbites are one of the most common bite issues; they’re often caused by childhood thumb sucking and pacifier use, tongue thrust, or sometimes they’re genetic. You likely know if you have an overbite already, but if you’re not sure, bite down and look at your side profile—if your upper teeth protrude far over your lower teeth or even over your bottom lip, you have an overbite. (Of course, it’s normal to have some degree of overbite—your top teeth should fit just over your bottom teeth, otherwise you have an underbite!)
Overbites can cause your teeth to wear down or even make them susceptible to breakage. Some people with overbites also experience jaw pain or TMJ disorder. When an overbite is corrected, you’ll improve your oral health and your facial profile will also change for the better. You might be surprised what a dramatic difference Invisalign can make in your appearance!
Correcting Overbite With Invisalign
When you think about Invisalign and its aligners, you might be wondering how they can correct an overbite. It’s easy to visualize how they shift teeth into alignment, but how can they adjust your bite like other orthodontic appliances do?
The answer is that they correct overbites the same way that traditional braces do—with elastics. These elastics are a little bit like small rubber bands that connect your top and bottom aligners to move your bottom teeth forward while pushing your top teeth back. You’ll attach the elastics to “buttons” that are built into your aligners.
Can All Overbites Be Treated With Invisalign?
It’s very rare that an overbite can’t be treated with modern Invisalign aligners. With advances in technology and the ability to attach rubber bands, overbites can be treated just as effectively as with traditional braces in most cases.
Still, there are some patients who have such a severe overbite, or other complicating factors, that Invisalign just isn’t the best treatment option. If you come to our office for a consultation and we believe that might be the case for you, we will refer you to a skilled orthodontist who can help improve your bite with braces or another orthodontic appliance.
Learn More About Invisalign
Is Invisalign a good fit for your needs? The only way to find out is to schedule a consultation! Contact us today at 212-888-4140 to set up an appointment with Dr. Minoli or Dr. Vijay.