So you have a overbite and thinking of getting Invisalign? You might be wondering if this can fix your bite problem. Many of our patients at Dentistry on the Pines have overbites. The truth is Invisalign can fix some overbites but not all of them. How well it works depends on how bad your overbite is and if there are underlying problems that makes it worse. Knowing what Invisalign can and can’t do for overbites will help you choose the right treatment for you.
When your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth too much you have an overbite. A little bit of overlap is good and acceptable but too much is bad. Invisalign works well for mild to moderate overbites. The transparent aligners can slowly move your teeth into better positions which will make your bite work better and look better by reducing the amount of overlap. Many patients’ overbites get a lot better just by using Invisalign.
Invisalign fixes overbites by moving the teeth not the jaw bones. The aligners put pressure on your teeth to slowly move them back or forward or even both at the same time. This works well when the overbite is mostly caused by the position of the teeth not the structure of the jaw. In some cases Invisalign can work well without any extra steps.
Invisalign may not be able to fix severe overbites or those caused by bone problems. If your overbite is caused by the way your jaw bones are positioned instead of just the way your teeth are aligned, you may need traditional braces along with other orthodontic products or even orthodontic surgery in some cases to get the best results. We check your bite during your consultation in Vaughan to find out what’s causing the overbite and if Invisalign can fix it.
Invisalign has added features to help fix bite problems. You can attach small buttons to some teeth to help the aligners hold on better and control how the teeth move. You can also wear elastic bands with Invisalign to help move your jaw and make your bite more even. These new features make Invisalign more powerful than before and can fix more types of overbites.
The time it takes to fix an overbite with Invisalign depends on how bad the problem is. It can take 12 to 18 months to fix a mild overbite but 18 to 24 months or more for a more serious one. During your consultation we will give you an estimated timeline based on your unique condition. However the actual time may vary depending on how well you wear your aligners and how your teeth respond to treatment.
Fixing an overbite has more benefits than just how it looks. Too much of an overbite can cause problems like tooth wear, jaw pain, difficulty chewing and higher chance of hurting your front teeth. Taking care of these problems will make your mouth healthier and your life better. We educate our patients how orthodontic treatment affects their overall dental health as part of our General Dentistry services at Dentistry on the Pines.
Some people are afraid that using Invisalign to fix an overbite will hurt. When you switch to new aligners you may feel some pressure but most people say the pain is bearable and goes away quickly. In fact the pressure means the treatment is working and your teeth are moving like they should.
You will need to wear retainers to keep your results once your overbite is fixed. No matter what kind of orthodontic treatment you get, this is true. Retainers keep your teeth from moving back to their original positions and help keep the bite correction you worked so hard to get.
We know that fixing an overbite can make your smile look a lot better as part of our Cosmetic Dentistry approach. Once their bite is in the right place many patients feel better about how they look and more confident.
If you live in Vaughan and want to know if Invisalign can help with your overbite we suggest you book an appointment for a consultation. We can check your bite, take the necessary pictures and scans and give you an honest opinion if Invisalign is right for you. We at Dentistry on the Pines are here to help you get a healthy, functional and beautiful smile with the best treatment for you.