How to Fix Overbite?

What is an Overbite?

Overbite is a condition where your top front teeth overlap your bottom front teeth. A minor overbite may be something you can live with. However, you need to fix the overbite if it is severe. Tooth decay and gum disease are possible if you don’t treat a severe overbite timely.

The medical term for overbite is malocclusion. It is one of the most common oral health issues amongst kids. Therefore be aware of their thumb and pacifier sucking habits, as these habits may result in an overbite.

What are Different Types of Overbite?

Overbite can be categorized into two main types. They are:-

Skeletal Overbite

The lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw in a skeletal overbite. This becomes the reason for front teeth to extend.

Dental Overbite

Misaligned teeth are responsible for this kind of overbite. That means misaligned teeth cause dental overbite despite the perfectly aligned jaw.

What are the Health Issues Caused by Overbite?

Overbite correction is imperative as untreated overbite can cause the following health issues:-

• TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) Disorder
• Psychological & Mental Health Problems
• Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
• Speech Impediments
• Teeth Prone to Injury
• Neck Pain
• Headache
• Altered Facial Structure Due to Severe Overbite

What Causes Overbite?

Genetics and behavioral patterns like excessive thumb sucking and using a bottle or pacifier are the most common reasons leading to an overbite.

Let’s see what the other possible causes of overbite are:-

• Teeth Grinding
• Abnormally Shaped Teeth
• Aging
• TMJ Disorder
• Cleft Palate
• Skeletal Injury or Trauma

You can see here that the health problems which are caused due to overbite teeth can also be a trigger of overbite in some people. Also, more than one of these factors can contribute to your or your child’s overbite.

How to Fix an Overbite?

Before deciding how to treat overbite, an orthodontist will observe what your overbite looks like and how to sever it is. Overbite treatment for skeletal and dental overbites will also be different. Your orthodontist will run a detailed diagnosis and X-ray to diagnose your condition better. These are some of the most common treatments to fix an overbite.

• Braces

Conventional metal braces are one of the most proven treatments for straightening teeth and correcting various bite issues. It uses a metal bracket and wires snapped on teeth to move teeth in desirable conditions.
Braces are effective as an overbite treatment, but it takes time. You need to be patient for a few months or years, depending on the severity of your overbite. You also need to maintain good oral hygiene for braces treatment to be successful.

• Invisalign

Invisalign treats your misalignment the same way as braces but does it with clear plastic trays. It’s a discreet treatment as the plastic material used to make Invisalign is transparent. Orthodontists prefer Invisalign braces for overbite treatment for teens and adults as they would not want the world to know about their ongoing orthodontic treatment.

• Surgery


Orthodontists rely on surgery to fix an overbite that is skeletal or can’t be corrected by any other means. But adults can easily take the toll of surgery on their bodies, unlike kids. Therefore, surgery is not preferred till a certain age. The developing jaw and bones of kids make it easier to use braces and Invisalign to treat their overbite.

• Teeth Removal


Extracting one or more teeth is a way of overbite correction when overcrowding of teeth is responsible for your overbite. Removing the extra tooth allows the rest of the teeth to move in the correct position. And eventually, the jaw also aligns normally.

• Myofunctional Device

This is one of the newest ways to fix an overbite. It works by putting pressure on the muscles to the jaw, cheeks, and tongue. The pressure is used to bring the teeth and jaw into the correct position. This can be an alternative to braces and Invisalign. But still, further research is required to find out its effectiveness.

If your overbite is causing problems, don’t wait and suffer. Book an appointment today with us at Putnam Orthodontics, a trusted orthodontist in Carmel with over 14 years of experience.

We can help you prevent potentially severe implications at a later stage. Moreover, while the problem is still developing, orthodontic treatment is much less complicated and cost-effective, and you have more treatment options available. So, call now and know the best treatment option for you based on your needs.