Invisalign is an alternative to metal braces. It uses a series of clear, customised, removable aligners to move your teeth gradually. This dental treatment can help correct various orthodontic issues, including overbite.
Overbite is a dental condition where the upper teeth bite too forward over the lower teeth, resulting in speech impediments, difficulty eating, an increased risk of tooth wear and gum disease. In some cases, an overbite can also cause headaches or jaw pain. The reason could be genetics, thumb-sucking, long-term use of pacifiers, or improper swallowing. Overbite is a common dental misalignment. Can Invisalign be used to address it? Read on to find out more.
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Can Invisalign Correct Overbite?
Invisalign can help correct mild to moderate dental overbites. Overbites are classified as normal (1 to 3mm), deep (4 to 8mm), and severe (9mm or more). Normal overbite has a 30% severity, while deep has 50%, and severe overbite has a 100% severity.
A slight overbite under 3mm is common and sometimes doesn’t need treatment. If you have a deep bite, your dentist may recommend Invisalign to help correct it. A severe overbite may require another orthodontic treatment, such as traditional braces or surgery.
How Long Will It Take To Correct Your Bite?
Depending on the severity of your teeth’s misalignment, an average treatment time for overbite correction can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months with an Invisalign treatment. It may take less than 12 months for mild cases to achieve your desired results. However, severe overbite cases can take more than 18 months to correct.
What Factors Affect the Treatment of Overbite?
Some factors impact overbite treatment, such as:
- The severity of your overbite
The more severe your overbite is, the longer it will take for your teeth to move to their correct position.
- Your age
Children and teens respond faster to overbite correction than older adults because their bones are still growing. This means that their teeth can move more quickly into the correct position.
- Patient compliance
Invisalign for overbite works better if you follow your dentist’s instructions. This includes wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours per day and switching to the next set of aligners as directed.
You should also avoid eating hard and sticky food and chewing on ice or other objects that can damage your aligners. In addition, you have to remove your aligners when eating and drinking beverages other than water. You should avoid hot water or drinks as these can warp your aligners.
- Your dental health
If you have other dental issues, such as gum disease or tooth decay, these must be addressed before proceeding with Invisalign treatment. You may need to see your dentist more often during treatment, and your treatment time may be extended.
Final Thoughts
Invisalign is a popular treatment option for overbite correction. However, it’s worth noting that it is not recommended for an excessive overbite. Your dentist can tell you how severe your overbite is during your initial consultation. They will measure the distance between your upper and lower teeth and take x-rays to help assess the severity of your overbite. If Invisalign is not suitable for you, they will recommend another treatment option.
Do you have other questions and concerns about Invisalign for overbite? Contact us today to book a consultation with one of our clinic’s dentists.
Magical Smiles is a modern dental clinic with state-of-the-art equipment. We have a team of dentists performing Invisalign treatment for many years. During your appointment, they will thoroughly examine your mouth, including your teeth, gums, and jaw, to see if Invisalign is the right treatment for you. They will also develop a customised treatment plan for you based on the information they obtain. Most importantly, you can ask them questions about Invisalign treatment and overbites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Invisalign works by gradually moving your teeth to their correct position. This is done through a series of clear, removable trays that are custom-made for you. You will need to wear each set of aligners for about two weeks before moving on to the next set, which will move your teeth to their next position. As you progress through each stage, your teeth will move slowly until they are in the desired position.
Invisalign is most suited for patients with mild to moderate teeth misalignment, bite problems (such as overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite), crowded teeth, crooked teeth, and gaps between teeth. However, Invisalign is not recommended for patients with severe misalignment, as this requires more complex treatment. In addition, you should have good dental health, be committed to your treatment, and comply with your dentist’s instructions to achieve successful results.
The first advantage of Invisalign is that it is practically invisible when worn, which means that people will not know that you are undergoing treatment. This is especially beneficial for you if you are an adult patient who doesn’t like the appearance of having wires and brackets in your mouth. Second, it is removable, so you can take it out to eat, drink, brush your teeth, and floss. It means that maintaining dental hygiene is easier, reducing the risk of tooth decay. Third, Invisalign treatment time is usually shorter than traditional braces. Fourth, Invisalign does not require any adjustments or tightening, so you will not experience discomfort or pain and will avoid frequent visits to your dentist. Lastly, Invisalign is more comfortable to wear because no wires or brackets can irritate your gums and cheeks.
Firstly, Invisalign uses different sets of aligner trays per two weeks, while traditional braces use wires and metal brackets throughout your entire treatment. As mentioned, Invisalign is more discreet and comfortable to wear and does not require as many visits to your dentist.
The mechanisms of Invisalign and traditional braces are also different. While traditional braces move the teeth as a whole, Invisalign moves the teeth in small steps, gradually and precisely. In addition, the costs also vary as Invisalign is a little more expensive than traditional braces.