If your upper teeth stick out farther than your lower teeth when your mouth is closed, you have an overbite. Not all overbites threaten your oral health — but it’s not always easy to know when you need orthodontic treatment.
Having a small overbite of about 10-20% is actually healthy, because it protects your front teeth from excessive wear. However, you could be at risk of orthodontic problems if your bite extends much farther than that.
The good news is that overbites are fixable, and you might not even need traditional metal braces to do it. Clear aligners are an effective alternative to straighten teeth and fix bite problems. Walied Touni, DDS, MSD, and our team at Touni Orthodontics in Sunnyvale, California, can help you decide if this popular option is right for your smile.
Overbites can be caused by genetics, habits like thumb-sucking, and other oral conditions. Not all overbites cause problems, but severe overbites can lead to a number of dental issues, like wear and tear on your lower front teeth, jaw pain, and difficulty biting and chewing.
Fortunately, clear aligners can fix many of the most common dental issues, including overbites. Aligners work by applying gentle, constant pressure to gradually shift your teeth into a more desirable position.
The system uses a series of custom-made aligners that you wear for about two weeks before moving to the next set. Each set moves your teeth a little bit more until your teeth are all in their proper places. Clear aligners can correct a mild to moderate overbite by moving your upper teeth back, your lower teeth forward, or a combination of the two.
One of the main advantages of clear aligners is their ability to correct an overbite discreetly and comfortably. Unlike traditional metal braces, clear aligners are virtually invisible, so you can straighten your teeth and fix your bite without anyone knowing.
Clear aligners are also more comfortable and convenient. They don’t have any metal brackets or wires that can irritate the inside of your mouth, and you can remove them to eat and clean your teeth.
Many of our patients find that clear aligners make it much easier to maintain good oral hygiene during treatment, which is important for both the health of your teeth and the success of the treatment itself.
Clear aligners are a great option for many children, teens, and adults who need orthodontic treatment, but a personalized consultation is the only way to know if it’s right for you.
Dr. Touni and our team specialize in clear aligner treatment. We examine your mouth, take X-rays and/or impressions of your teeth, and create a customized treatment plan for you.
We often recommend clear aligners for people with mild to moderate orthodontic misalignments. In some cases, traditional metal braces or other orthodontic treatments may be needed to achieve your desired results.
If you choose clear aligners, we use your dental impressions to create a series of custom-made aligners that will gradually shift your teeth into the correct position.
Your treatment time will vary depending on the severity of your overbite and other factors. Plan for 12-18 months on average, but you may begin noticing a difference in your teeth after just a few weeks of treatment.
Ready to find out if clear aligners could be the solution to your overbite? Schedule a consultation at Touni Orthodontics by calling our office or requesting an appointment online today.
