Why You Should Correct Your Overbite 

Fixing a severe overbite now can help you avoid bigger problems in the future. If an overbite is severely deep, it can even create jaw issues. The teeth must slide together in a deep path, putting undue pressure on the temporomandibular joint and muscles.

A mild overbite is not usually a cause for concern. However, a severe, or “deep” overbite that goes untreated can lead to:

• Problems in the structures supporting the teeth
• Stress and wear on the teeth
• Problems with chewing
• Trauma to the roof of the mouth

How is an Overbite Treated? 

There are several treatment options available to correct an overbite depending on the severity of your overbite. Although treatments vary, some established options for correcting an overbite include:

• Braces
• Surgery
• Invisible aligners

1. Toothfairy™ Aligners

For some, invisible aligners are the best option for correcting an overbite without braces. Toothfairy’s clear aligners can correct dental issues in a way that is both effective and visually appealing. They’re normally prescribed for mild-to-moderate alignment issues, but a Toothfairy™ dentist or an orthodontist will be able to tell you if they’re right for you.

To prepare for your invisible aligner treatment, your Toothfairy™ dentist will take a mould of your teeth. Using the mould, they’ll create aligner trays that you’ll wear in a series. Each aligner will apply gentle force to the teeth ligaments to shift them into the desired position.

You’ll wear the aligners approximately 22 hours a day, and the recommended span of treatment can last from 3-6 months depending on your specific case. You’ll usually only remove the invisible aligners to eat or brush your teeth.

2. Braces 

Although every overbite is different, you should expect to wear braces for a couple of years at least. If your overbite is severe, you may have to keep them on for longer. After that, you’ll wear a retainer to keep your teeth in place so your overbite doesn’t return. 

3. Surgery 

You can get surgery to correct an overbite, but it’s usually only done in extreme cases.

If your teeth overlap by 3.5 millimeters or more, your dentist might recommend corrective surgery. During this process, a surgeon pulls back your cheeks and makes incisions inside the jaw. Then, they’ll physically move your jaw, which changes your chin shape and aligns your teeth. You’ll be in the hospital for about 2 days post-operation.

Surgery is usually performed if less invasive methods, like braces, fail to fix the overbite, and can be quite expensive.