Overbite treatment with clear aligners
An overbite is one of the most common reasons people visit a dentist about straightening their teeth. The good news is that overbite treatment with aligners is often possible, especially when the problem comes from the position of the teeth rather than the jaws. This guide explains what an overbite actually is, how clear aligners correct it, and what your dentist will look at before recommending treatment.
What is an overbite?
People use the word "overbite" for two slightly different things, and the difference matters for treatment.
- Deep bite (vertical overbite): when you close your back teeth together, the upper front teeth cover too much of the lower front teeth. In some people the lower teeth almost disappear behind the upper ones, and the lower teeth may even touch the gum behind the upper teeth.
- Overjet (horizontal overbite): the upper front teeth stick out forwards, ahead of the lower teeth. This is what many people mean by "buck teeth".
A small amount of overlap is normal and healthy. It becomes a concern when it is large enough to cause wear, gum irritation, jaw discomfort or simply a smile you are unhappy with.
Why overbites happen
Overbites can come from the teeth, the jaws, or both. Common contributors include:
- Upper front teeth that are tipped forwards or lower front teeth that are tipped back
- Front teeth that have over-erupted, sitting too low or too high
- Crowding that pushes teeth out of line
- Childhood habits such as thumb sucking or prolonged dummy use
- A lower jaw that is smaller or set further back than the upper jaw
When the cause is mainly dental (the teeth themselves), aligners are often a good fit. When the cause is mainly skeletal (the jaw bones), aligners alone may not be enough.
How overbite treatment with aligners works
Every aligner in your series is a little different from the one before. Each one moves certain teeth a small, planned amount. For an overbite, the plan may include several types of movement at once.
Correcting a deep bite
To reduce a deep bite, the plan may gently intrude (push up into the gum) the upper or lower front teeth, level the curve of the lower teeth, and allow the back teeth to settle so the front teeth no longer overlap as much. Alignova plans can include bite ramps: small raised areas on the inside of the upper aligners that the lower front teeth touch when you bite. They help hold the back teeth slightly apart so the vertical correction can happen.
Reducing overjet
To bring protruding upper teeth back, space is usually needed. Your dentist may plan to close existing gaps, use interproximal reduction (IPR), where a fraction of a millimetre of enamel is polished between selected teeth, or adjust the arch shape. Read more in our guide to IPR in aligner treatment.
Attachments and elastics
Small tooth-coloured attachments give the aligner a better grip for precise movements. Where the upper and lower jaws need to be encouraged into a better relationship, the plan may include elastic cutouts or precision hooks so your dentist can add small rubber bands between the arches.
What your dentist checks first
Before any treatment, a licensed dentist or orthodontist examines you. They will usually look at:
- How much the upper and lower teeth overlap, both vertically and horizontally
- Whether the problem is dental, skeletal or a mix of both, often with X-rays
- Your gum health and any wear on the teeth
- Your jaw joints and how you bite
- Your goals and how consistently you can wear aligners
The dentist then takes a digital scan or impressions. With Alignova, these are sent to our lab, where an orthodontist-reviewed 3D setup is prepared. Your dentist reviews it, asks for changes if needed, and only approves it when it meets their clinical goals. You can learn about this in how it works.
When aligners may not be enough
Some overbites are caused by a significant difference in jaw size or position. In adults, whose jaws have finished growing, a large skeletal overbite may need fixed braces, a combination of treatments, or in some cases jaw surgery planned with a specialist. In growing children, functional appliances are sometimes used. Your dentist will explain the options honestly, and aligners will only be recommended when they are suitable.
Living with aligners during overbite correction
Overbite correction relies on steady, consistent force. That means wearing your aligners for about 20 to 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, drink anything other than water, and clean your teeth. If your plan uses elastics, wear them exactly as instructed, because skipping them slows the bite change. See how many hours a day to wear aligners for practical tips.
With Alignova cases, the patient app lets you log daily wear and send three photos in fixed poses at each aligner change, so your dentist can follow your bite as it changes. AI-assisted photo analysis is in development and not yet live; your dentist reviews the photos.
Keeping the result
Deep bites in particular have a tendency to return. Retainers after treatment are essential, and your dentist may recommend a retainer design that helps hold the bite open. Read more about retainers after aligners.
Frequently asked questions
Can clear aligners fix an overbite in adults?
Often, yes, when the overbite is mainly caused by the position of the teeth. If the cause is mainly the jaw bones, your dentist may recommend another approach or a combination of treatments.
What are bite ramps?
Bite ramps are small raised areas built into the inside of the upper aligners. The lower front teeth meet them when you bite, which helps the dentist correct a deep bite.
Will I need rubber bands?
Some overbite plans use elastics between the upper and lower aligners. Whether you need them depends on your bite and is decided by your dentist.
Is a small overbite normal?
Yes. A small overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower ones is normal. Treatment is considered when the overlap is large or causing problems.
Clear aligners are a prescription treatment. Whether they suit you is decided by a licensed dentist or orthodontist after an examination.
Take the free smile check and a partner dentist will contact you about an assessment.