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Can Invisalign Fix an Overbite?

Can Invisalign Fix an Overbite?

If you’re worried about an overbite, treatment usually involves traditional braces. But can Invisalign fix an overbite? Yes, if you work with an experienced dentist who is certified in Invisalign (Kearny Mesa.)

An overbite is where your top front teeth are more protruded or overlap your bottom front teeth. While a small, slight overlap can be considered normal and healthy, major overbites can lead to serious issues. TMJ pain, headaches, tooth wear, and speech impediments are just a few examples.

Overbites also pose aesthetic challenges and increase your risk of dental emergencies. Something as simple as a bump to your mouth might cause broken teeth if there is a pronounced overbite. Correcting your tooth alignment will help.

Thankfully it’s possible to complete overbite treatment with clear aligners in many cases, as long as you have a dental team with experience in that area of patient care.

How Invisalign Can Fix an Overbite

Invisalign trays work similar to other types or orthodontic treatment, including traditional braces. Only in this scenario, a series of removable orthodontic aligners nudge your teeth instead of a metal wire across your smile. Your tooth movement will be digitally mapped out in advance, with corresponding aligners printed out for each phase of tooth movement. Each set of Invisalign trays has a slightly different shape, so they can gently straighten your smile a little every month. No metal appliances are required.

Digitally programmed treatments like Invisalign allow our Kearny Mesa dentist to see the movement of your teeth before treatment begins. If you have an overbite that is not within the scope of care for Invisalign to correct, we can discuss other options that may be available. However, Invisalign can fix overbites in most scenarios.

Why Do I Have an Overbite?

Overbites are typically an anatomical issue due to jaw development during early childhood. This can be caused by genetic reasons, prolonged thumb sucking or using a pacifier or irregular swallowing patterns. The earlier overbites are intercepted, the less of a risk there is to need oral surgery.

Overbites can be treated similarly to other crooked or crowded teeth. Sometimes we adjust the alignment by moving the top front teeth further back, or the lower front teeth further down and out, depending on your jaw structure. In some cases, we even open the contacts between your teeth to bring them closer together.

Should I Treat My Overbite?

An overbite can affect your appearance, make you feel more self-conscious, and expose you to potential traumatic injuries because of tooth positioning. Aside from aesthetic reasons, you may want to straighten your teeth so that your teeth don’t wear down prematurely or to avoid TMJ issues.

What to Expect During Treatment?

Most Invisalign cases involve wearing a series of trays for two weeks at a time, only removing them for home care (brushing and flossing) or while you’re eating. Each time you move to the next set of trays, your teeth are nudged slightly closer to the prescribed end-result location. Because overbites are influenced by all of the teeth in your mouth, the aligners will adjust other teeth in addition to the most noticeable ones at the front of your smile.

The typical Invisalign treatment takes about 12-18 months to complete, but complex cases may require up to two years. Wearing your aligners as directed will help expedite the process so that you’ll see results as quickly as possible. In instances where it’s a short-term aesthetic procedure, Invisalign may only take about six months. We’ll provide you with an individualized time estimate at the time of your consultation.

Invisalign Kearny Mesa

Landmark Dental Arts Kearny Mesa has highly qualified Invisalign providers who can provide the best care for complicated bite problems such as overbites. If you have a severe overbite, it’s important to find an Invisalign dentist in Kearny Mesa with experience in treating cases like yours.

For more information about Invisalign and to find out if you qualify, call Landmark Dental Arts today.

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Landmark Dental Arts
4540 Kearny Villa Road, Suite 116
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: 858-571-3534
Fax: (858) 571-5826

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Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
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858-571-3534