Overbite Treatment: 5 Options You Should Consider

An excessive overbite occurs when your upper teeth overlap too far over your lower teeth. While a slight overlap is normal, having the upper teeth completely cover the lower teeth is referred to as a malocclusion or misalignment.

An overbite can be uncomfortable and difficult to manage. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to treat it.

In this article, we’ll give you a breakdown of the different treatment options available for an overbite.

What are Overbite Correction Treatment Options?

There are several orthodontic treatment options available for an overbite:

1. Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction may be necessary for young children with overbites. Removing teeth creates room for the rest of the teeth to grow straight.

This option is generally for baby teeth. Unless the problem is severe, adults with overbites may not require the removal of permanent teeth.

2. Braces

Braces are a popular treatment option for correcting an overbite. They use brackets, wires, and elastic bands to press on the teeth and bring them into proper alignment.

The cost of braces averages between $4,000 and $10,000, and treatment will take anywhere between six months and two years to complete. Afterward, you must wear a retainer or use a permanent wire to keep the teeth in place.

However, if the overbite is caused by an issue with jaw alignment, children and teenagers may need additional treatment, such as orthodontic headgear. On the other hand, adults may need jaw surgery.

3. Clear Aligners (Invisalign)

Clear aligners are plastic trays that work similarly to braces. They apply constant pressure to the teeth to gradually move them into a better position. 

Clear aligners, which cost between $1,200 and $8,000, can help with mild to moderate overbites. They need to be worn for at least 22 hours a day, including during sleep.

However, because they’re removable, you can take them off before eating, brushing, and flossing. After two weeks, you’ll switch to another set of aligners in your treatment plan.

Depending on the severity of the overbite, it can involve up to 26 trays. This would include one tray every two weeks for 12 months.

4. Functional Appliances 

For an effective overbite treatment, you may need to combine braces with functional appliances. They also exert pressure to align your jaw but are typically used for specific types of overbite.

Common functional appliances include:

• Herbst appliance ⁠— Treats overbites and overjets by bringing the lower jaw forward.
• Orthodontic headgear ⁠— Treats overbites and overjets by holding the upper jaw and teeth in place, giving space for the lower jaw to grow

Functional appliances average between $1,000 and $9,000. You may consider them an additional cost to braces treatment, and your insurance may cover the expense.

5. Overbite Surgery (Jaw Surgery)

Some extreme cases of skeletal overbites may require orthognathic surgery, which costs an average of between $20,000 and $50,000. This surgery repositions the jaw when other orthodontic treatments cannot.

Orthognathic surgery corrects the relationship between the upper and lower jawbones. It also improves the jawbone’s function for better eating, breathing, and talking.

Severe overbite correction surgery is often reserved for adults because their jaws are no longer as developed or flexible as children's. However, if your jaw is still growing, your dentist may recommend orthodontic appliances.

What are the Signs of an Overbite?

The symptoms of overbites can range from uncomfortable to really painful. The longer you leave an overbite without treatment, the worse these symptoms can get.

These symptoms include:

• Crooked teeth
• Teeth that stick out
• A protruding upper jaw
• Cavities
• Toothaches
• Headaches
• Discomfort or pain while eating
• Difficulty talking
• Trouble fully opening or closing your mouth
• Sleep apnea
• Gum disease

What Causes an Overbite?

Oftentimes, people have a genetic predisposition to developing an uneven jaw. In other cases, children can develop an overbite from excessive thumb-sucking, pacifier use, or bottle drinking.

Meanwhile, adolescents may develop an overbite from nail biting and chewing on objects. However, you can also develop an overbite due to mouth injuries that result in tooth loss, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), or teeth grinding.

What are the Complications of an Overbite?

Leaving an overbite or overjet untreated may increase the risk of further problems, such as:

• Injury to the protruding front teeth
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD)
• Speech problems
• Psychological stress

The nature and severity of these complications depend on the cause and extent of the overbite. You can prevent them by treating the overbite as soon as possible.