How to Fix an Overbite: Treatment Options for a Better Smile

 An overbite is one of the most common issues people have with their teeth, and it can affect more than just your appearance. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and noticed your top teeth overlap your bottom teeth a little too much, you’re not alone.

The great news is that fixing an overbite is very common and highly successful, thanks to modern orthodontics. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, there are many effective ways to achieve a straighter, healthier, and more balanced smile.

This guide will walk you through exactly what an overbite is, why it needs attention, and the different overbite treatment options available, from simple braces to more advanced solutions.

What is an Overbite?

In simple terms, an overbite (also known as a deep bite) is a type of malocclusion, which is the technical term for a misalignment of the teeth or jaws.

Imagine your mouth is designed to close like a box with a lid. In an ideal bite, when you close your mouth, the upper front teeth should slightly overlap the bottom front teeth, covering about 10–20% of the lower teeth’s height. This slight overlap is normal and healthy.

However, when you have an overbite, your upper front teeth stick out too far and overlap the lower teeth by too much—often covering more than 50% of them, or sometimes even hiding them completely.

An overbite is often confused with overjet, but they are different.

• Overbite: This is a vertical issue, meaning the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth too much from top to bottom.

• Overjet (Bucky Teeth): This is a horizontal issue, meaning the top teeth stick out forward past the bottom teeth.

While both are common, this article will focus specifically on fixing the deep, vertical overlap known as the overbite.

Causes of an Overbite

Understanding why an overbite develops is the first step toward correcting an overbite. There are typically two main categories of causes: skeletal and dental.

1. Skeletal Causes (Jaw Position)

This is the most common and often most significant cause. A skeletal overbite means the problem lies in the size or position of the jawbones themselves. If the upper jaw is slightly larger or positioned too far forward compared to the lower jaw, it results in the upper teeth naturally overlapping the lower teeth too much. This cause is often genetic, meaning it’s something you inherited from your parents.

2. Dental Causes (Tooth Position)

Sometimes, the jawbones are aligned correctly, but the position or angle of the teeth themselves creates the overlap. This can happen if:

• Missing Teeth: If a lower tooth is missing, the opposing upper tooth might drop down to fill the gap, creating a localised overbite.

• Worn Down Teeth: If the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are worn down (due to grinding or age), the bite can collapse, making the front teeth look like they overlap more.

3. Early Habits (Especially in Childhood)

While less common in adults, certain prolonged childhood habits can contribute to or worsen an existing overbite:

• Thumb Sucking/Dummy Use: Sucking past the age of 3 or 4 can push the developing upper teeth outward and change the growth pattern of the jaws.

• Tongue Thrusting: A habit where the tongue pushes against the back of the front teeth during swallowing.

Symptoms of an Overbite

An overbite is not just an aesthetic issue. Depending on its severity, it can lead to various symptoms and discomforts. It’s important to recognise these signs, as they indicate a need to see a professional, such as your local dentist Beecroft or orthodontist.

Common symptoms include:

• Aesthetic Concerns: The most obvious sign is the appearance of a “gummy” smile or where the chin looks recessed (pushed back).

• Excessive Tooth Wear: The excessive overlap can cause the top teeth to constantly rub against the bottom teeth, leading to accelerated wear and tear on the enamel.

• Damage to Gums: In severe cases, the lower front teeth can bite directly into the gum tissue behind the upper front teeth, causing painful irritation, inflammation, and gum recession.

• Speech Difficulties: Some people may develop a lisp or other speech impediments.

• Jaw Pain (TMD): An unbalanced bite puts stress on the jaw joints (TMJ), which can lead to headaches, earaches, and discomfort when chewing.

• Chewing Issues: Difficulty biting into certain foods or chewing efficiently.

Why Fixing an Overbite is Important

You might wonder if you really need to bother fixing an overbite, especially if the cosmetic issues don’t bother you. The truth is, correcting an overbite is vital for long-term dental health and function, not just for appearance.

1. Protecting Your Teeth: As mentioned, a deep overbite causes abnormal wear. Over time, this can lead to cracked teeth, chipped edges, sensitivity, and costly restorative dental work down the track.

2. Protecting Your Gums: Preventing the lower teeth from chewing into the upper gums prevents serious gum problems and potential bone loss.

3. Preventing Jaw Problems: By achieving a balanced bite, you distribute the forces of chewing evenly. This reduces stress on your jaw joints and facial muscles, often resolving chronic headaches or jaw pain.

4. Improving Aesthetics and Confidence: While health is the priority, the positive impact of a beautifully aligned smile cannot be overstated. It naturally boosts self-esteem.

5. Easier Oral Hygiene: Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, which lowers your risk of cavities and gum disease.

If you are concerned about your bite, seeing a dentist Pennant Hills or orthodontist for an assessment is the best step you can take for your oral health.

Treatment Options for an Overbite

The good news is that there are many excellent overbite treatment options available today. The approach chosen depends on the severity of the overbite, the patient’s age, and whether the cause is dental or skeletal.

1. Traditional Braces (Overbite Braces)

Traditional braces remain one of the most reliable and effective ways to fix an overbite.

• How they work: Braces use brackets and wires to gently and continuously move the teeth into their correct positions. For an overbite, they are used not only to align the teeth but also to actively “extrude” (bring down) the back teeth and “intrude” (push up) the front teeth.

• Appliances used with Braces: To correct the underlying jaw relationship, braces are often used in combination with special tools:

  • Elastics (Rubber Bands): These are worn between the top and bottom jaws to apply force that helps reposition the jaws and teeth.

  • Bite Plates: These temporary devices fit over the roof of the mouth and are designed to prevent the back teeth from meeting, forcing the lower jaw to drop and allowing the front teeth to be pushed up.

2. Clear Aligners (Invisalign)

Clear aligners have become a very popular choice, especially for adults.

• How they work: Custom-made, clear plastic trays gradually shift the teeth. For mild to moderate overbites, aligners can be highly effective.

• Special Considerations: To treat an overbite, aligners often require “attachments” (small, tooth-coloured bumps fixed to the teeth) and elastics, similar to braces, to create the necessary forces to move the jaws and correct the vertical overlap. They offer a less noticeable way to achieve a great result.

3. Functional Appliances (Best for Children/Teens)

These are devices primarily used while a child is still growing.

• How they work: Functional appliances like a Herbst appliance or a Bionator are designed to guide the growth of the jawbones. By holding the lower jaw in a slightly forward position, they encourage the jaw to grow into a more balanced relationship with the upper jaw, directly correcting an overbite caused by skeletal issues. This approach is much easier and often avoids the need for complex treatment later on.

4. Other Adjunctive Treatments

Sometimes, the orthodontist may recommend specific minor procedures:

• Interproximal Reduction (IPR): A tiny amount of enamel is smoothed between teeth to create space, which allows the teeth to move more easily into alignment.

• Dental Restorations: If the overbite is caused by excessively worn back teeth, the orthodontist might coordinate with your general dentist West Pennant Hills to have crowns or fillings placed on the back teeth to “build up” the bite and reduce the front overlap.

When is Jaw Surgery Necessary for an Overbite?

While most overbites can be treated successfully with orthodontics alone, jaw surgery for overbite (known as orthognathic surgery) is sometimes necessary.

When is Surgery Required?

Surgery is typically reserved for severe overbites in adults where the cause is purely skeletal, and the underlying jaw discrepancy is too significant to be fixed by moving the teeth alone. If the difference in size or position between the upper and lower jaws is too great, orthodontics might straighten the teeth, but it won’t correct the profile or the functional relationship between the jaws.

The Treatment Process (Surgical Orthodontics)

The treatment is a combined effort:

1. Pre-Surgical Orthodontics: Braces (or aligners) are worn first to align the teeth so they fit together perfectly afterthe surgery. This phase typically lasts 6–18 months.

2. The Surgery: An oral surgeon repositions the jaw(s) to achieve the correct alignment. This is done under general anaesthesia.

3. Post-Surgical Orthodontics: Braces or aligners continue for several months after surgery to fine-tune the final position of the teeth and bite.

While surgery sounds major, it can offer life-changing results for patients with severe skeletal discrepancies, dramatically improving appearance, function, and stability.

How Long Does It Take to Fix an Overbite?

The million-dollar question! The duration of treatment depends heavily on the severity of the overbite, the patient’s age, and the chosen method.

Treatment TypePatient AgeAverage DurationNotesPhase I (Functional Appliances)Child (7–10)9–18 monthsFocused on modifying jaw growth.Braces or Clear AlignersTeenager18–30 monthsJaw is still pliable and treatment is often faster.Braces or Clear AlignersAdult24–36 monthsBone is denser, movements are slower, but highly effective.Surgical OrthodonticsAdult18–24 months (plus recovery)Involves a pre- and post-surgery phase with appliances.

It is crucial to be patient and follow your orthodontist’s instructions perfectly, especially regarding wearing elastics, as non-compliance can significantly increase treatment time.

Post-Treatment Care and Maintenance

Getting your teeth straight is only half the battle; keeping them straight is the other! Once your overbite braces or aligners come off, the retention phase begins.

The final result is not considered complete until your teeth are held securely in their new positions. This requires using a retainer, which is designed to prevent your teeth from naturally moving back towards their original overbite position—a common phenomenon known as “relapse.”

You will typically be given two types of retainers:

1. Fixed (Permanent) Retainer: A thin wire glued to the inside surface of your top and/or bottom front teeth. This provides constant, discreet support.

2. Removable Retainer: A clear plastic tray (like a nighttime aligner) or a classic Hawley retainer, which you wear full-time for the first few months, and then only at night indefinitely.

Your retainers are essential for life. Never stop wearing your retainers as instructed, even years after treatment, to ensure your stunning results are permanent.

Preventing Future Bite Issues

While genetics play a huge role in overbites, there are things you can do, especially for children, to prevent or minimise future bite issues:

• Early Intervention: Bring your child to an orthodontist around age 7. At this age, a professional can spot issues and use functional appliances to guide jaw growth and prevent a mild overbite from becoming severe.

• Stop Habits Early: Encourage children to stop thumb sucking, finger sucking, or dummy use by age four at the absolute latest.

• Good Oral Hygiene: Consistent dental care with your dentist Beecroft helps keep teeth healthy and in position, ensuring that gaps or tooth loss (which can lead to bite changes) do not occur.

Conclusion

An overbite is a very common dental issue, but thanks to modern orthodontic advancements, achieving a healthy, balanced, and attractive smile is easier than ever before. Whether your solution involves overbite braces, clear aligners, or (in rare, severe cases) jaw surgery for overbite, the outcome is a lifetime of better oral health and increased confidence.

If you have noticed an overbite or are experiencing any related symptoms like jaw pain or excessive tooth wear, don’t put off a consultation. Getting an expert opinion is the best step toward correcting an overbite and securing a healthier future for your smile.

Call to Action

Ready to take the next step toward fixing your overbite?

The first step is a comprehensive orthodontic assessment. Contact our practice today to book a consultation with our experienced team. We serve the local community,and we are ready to discuss the best overbite treatment options tailored just for you!

Source: How to Fix an Overbite: Treatment Options for a Better Smile