Can You Fix An Overbite With Clear Aligner?

Can You Fix An Overbite With Clear Aligner?

Feb 01, 2023

Improper teeth alignment can affect your appearance, pronunciation, and ability to chew food properly. Fortunately, orthodontic treatments provide affordable and effective options to align your bite for a better smile, speech, and bite function.

Overbites occur when your upper front teeth extend beyond the lower front teeth by an excessive vertical distance. An overjet happens when there’s excessive horizontal space between the lower and upper front teeth.

An overbite can happen due to different causes at any age, from children to adults. Possible causes include:

  • Nail biting
  • Tongue thrusting
  • Thumb sucking
  • Chewing hard items like ice and pens
  • Teeth grinding and clenching
  • Mouth breathing
  • Teeth crowding
  • Irregularity of jaws due to genetics

Should you treat an overbite?

Typically, overbites can range from mild to severe. Most range from 2 – 4 mm. These are unlikely to cause pain or problems. If an overbite of 4 – 6 mm or greater may need treatment.

Unfortunately, overbites come with various problems and risks. The key reason for fixing an overbite is for cosmetic purposes. Protruding teeth give you a misaligned smile, which can make you look and feel unattractive and self-conscious to smile.

Fixing an overbite can also help eliminate or minimize any associated dental issues. Moderate to severe overbites can contribute to:

  • Enamel erosion
  • Gum damage or recession
  • Tooth decay
  • Worn down teeth
  • Tooth chips or cracks
  • High risk of tooth damage during oral injuries

An overbite can also increase your risk of:

  • Sleep apnea. A sleep disorder where breathing suddenly stops and begins during sleep.
  • Jaw pain and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD)
  • Headaches
  • Popping and clicking of the jaw

You can correct an overbite through various treatments, including clear aligners.

What are clear aligners?

A clear aligner is an orthodontic treatment that uses custom-made trays to fix teeth misalignments. Unlike traditional braces, where wires and brackets are fixed to the teeth, clear aligners use removable clear trays.

Invisalign and SureSmile are popular clear aligner brands. They are effective for treating mild to moderate overbites. However, they aren’t for severe overbites caused by skeletal jaw problems. Visit our office for clear aligners near you.

How Clear Aligners Fix Overbites

Clear aligners are worn over the teeth, gradually applying pressure to move them to the proper alignment. The dentist or orthodontist begins by examining your condition to determine whether clear aligners can correct your problem.

Then, they take impressions or 3D scans of your teeth and mouth and use them to create customized trays from transparent plastic materials. It is important that the system chosen takes into account where your teeth are aligned currently in bone.  To be effective on overbites, you must wear the aligners for at least 22 hours daily.

You should sleep with them. You should only remove them when eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, or cleaning them. Since clear aligners are removable, there are no diet restrictions.

However, you should ensure you clean your mouth after eating before wearing the aligners back. It reduces the risk of bacterial build-up in the trays and mouth, which can lead to gum disease, bad breath, tooth decay, and other oral issues.

Approximately every two weeks, you should wear a new pair of aligners. Each aligner moves the teeth to a certain degree. You’ll receive a series of trays during the initial fitting appointment. The dentist will also schedule follow-up appointments to check on your progress.

How long does it take to fix an overbite with clear aligners?

How long your treatment will take typically depends on the severity of your condition. On average, aligning an overbite with clear aligners takes about 9 to 12 months. Not wearing the aligners as instructed can delay or prevent any results entirely.

Alternative Treatments for Overbites

Patients with severe overbites and other teeth misalignments may not be good candidates for clear aligners. Traditional metal or ceramic braces may be a better option. Consult our prosthodontist in Calgary to determine whether clear aligners are right for you.

Apart from traditional braces, other treatments for overbites can include:

  • Orthognathic surgery involves realigning the jaw bone. It often requires a patient to wear braces before, during, and after the procedure.
  • Orthodontic headgear redirects the development of the lower jaw or delays the development of the upper jaw. You may also use them with braces.
  • Tooth extractions may be necessary to eliminate overcrowding and allow other teeth to re-align properly.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you interested in clear aligners in NW Calgary? Contact Northwest Prosthodontics to begin your treatment today.

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