Can Invisalign Fix Overbite? Procedure, Timeline and Cost
Overbite is a common dental issue where the top teeth protrude too far over the bottom teeth. Some cases are mild, while others can be more severe. Read this article to learn about Invisalign and if it can fix your overbite.
All of us love a good before and after story, don’t we? We especially love it when it tackles someone’s journey to an amazing transformation.
Fixing an overbite, or any kind of malocclusion is a huge confidence booster. Not only that, it provides multiple functional advantages to patients with overbite.
So the question is, can Invisalign fix overbite? The answer is yes! But it’s a case-to-case basis. It usually depends on the severity of your case.
In this article, we’re going to answer the question associated with Invisalign and overbites so that you can make the best decision for your smile.
Let us have a look at overbite, shall we?
How Does Invisalign Work to Correct an Overbite?
Invisalign is fabricated using cutting-edge 3D computer imaging technology to achieve the desired course of teeth movement.
Once you’ve been fitted for Invisalign, you will be given a series of clear aligners to wear. Each clear aligner is designed based on the dental impression of your teeth. And you will be under strict instructions to wear your Invisalign for 22 hours daily.
You should only remove them when eating, drinking, or brushing teeth.
A specific order of trays over the course of your treatment will be determined to address your overbite. The trays will apply gentle pressure on your teeth to gradually shift them into the desired position.
As you progress through the treatment, you will notice a change in your bite and alignment.
How Long Does It Take to Correct Your Overbite Through Invisalign?
The average Invisalign treatment time is 6 – 36 months depending on the classification of your overbite.
Normal overbites with 2 – 3 mm of overlap may only need 6 months of treatment time, while severe overbites with 5mm – 10mm of overlap may take up to 3 years.
Age is also a factor in the duration of Invisalign treatment. Adults’ jawbones are fully developed, which means the teeth can be moved faster.
For growing children, whose bones are still developing, average treatment may take longer as the Invisalign must accommodate for future growth.
TIP: How do you know if you may have an overbite? Close your mouth and take a side picture of your face smiling. A normal bite has a slight overbite with the upper teeth touching the lower teeth. An overbite is when your top teeth overlap or protrude with little to no contact with the front of your bottom teeth.
Does Overbite Cause Problems?
Once an overbite develops, it can result in a number of physical problems. Some of the main physical issues that overbites have the potential to cause include:
- Difficulty chewing food or swallowing
- Constant jaw pain or headaches
- Wearing down of the back teeth
- Increased risk for gum disease and tooth decay
- Speech problems or awkward lisp
Know the Severity of Your Overbite: How Bad Is It?
Is your overbite causing you to experience pain in your jaw? Do you find it difficult to chew or speak properly? Do you feel insecure with your side and front profile?
We recommend speaking to an experienced dentist to better understand the severity of your overbite and what treatment options are available to your case.
TIP: A good dentist can tell whether your mouth's protrusion problem is a dental or skeletal issue. If you feel like you've been overprescribed or overly diagnosed, it helps to have a second, third, or fourth opinion to know the best option for you.
The skeletal overbite is caused by the upper jaw being positioned too far forward. This genetic issue may involve jaw surgery, depending on the severity of your overbite.
The dental overbite, on the other hand, is the teeth on the upper jaw protruding too far forward. This does not require invasive treatments and can be fixed with the help of Invisalign clear aligners.
In general, there are three different types of overbites: mild, moderate, and severe. Here’s a quick breakdown of each:
Type of Malocclusion | Description |
Class one | A normal type of malocclusion. In a class one bite, the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth by less than 2mm – 3mm. |
Class Two | A class two bite is when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth by more than 3mm. This is called an overbite. |
Class Three | A class three bite, also called underbite, is when the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. This is a severe type of malocclusion and may require surgery to fix. |
Overbite Correction for Teens
Do you have teens who have mild occlusions?
Invisalign with mandibular advancement feature is an option for tweens and teens. It works on treating many kinds of dental concerns including overly crowded teeth wide gaps, crossbites, overbites, and underbites.
This looks and functions just like the regular Invisalign system, except that it has an additional precision wings feature. This feature helps apply controlled force to align the jaw and simultaneously straighten the teeth.
TIP: If your child is ready for orthodontic treatment, you must discuss with your orthodontist which type of treatment will be best for him or her. A good orthodontist will discuss with you the detailed planning of the treatment. This includes the number of days or weeks needed for each successive set of aligners, how the teeth will move, and in what order.
We recommend you rely on an Invisalign specialist or orthodontist to tell you these things. We promise you we’ve encountered young patients who’ve hurried into Invisalign, and they were not good candidates for it.
How Much Pain is Associated with Invisalign?
Slight discomfort is to be expected when you first start wearing Invisalign. After all, your teeth are slowly being shifted into a new position. However, this discomfort is nothing compared to the pain associated with traditional braces. In fact, most patients report that they don’t feel any pain at all after a few days of wearing their Invisalign aligners.
Overbites are often caused by a misalignment of the jaw, and this can lead to a lot of pain in the form of headaches, earaches, and even neck pain. Invisalign can actually help to alleviate this pain by moving your teeth gradually, allowing your jaw to readjust over time.
How Does Invisalign Compare to Braces?
In terms of function, Invisalign requires willpower of discipline, whereas braces have maximum patient compliance because they hold your teeth 100% of the time.
Let’s look at some of the benefits of Invisalign for overbite compared to traditional braces:
|
Invisalign |
Braces |
|
|
Appearance |
Virtually invisible |
Very visible |
|
Comfort |
Slight discomfort at the beginning |
You may experience mouth sores |
|
Oral Hygiene |
You can brush and floss as normal |
Brushing and flossing may be difficult |
|
Food Restrictions |
No food restrictions |
Avoid hard and sticky foods |
|
Treatment Effectiveness |
Invisalign can’t fix: Severely rotated teeth Misshapen teeth Extrusion |
Metal braces are effective in repositioning severely rotated teeth. It also works with severe malocclusions. |
|
Duration of Treatment |
Depends on your condition |
Depends on your condition |
|
Follow-up visits |
Every 8 to 12 weeks |
Requires monthly visits |
|
US Price |
$5,250 |
$5,000 |
|
Mexico Price |
$3,500 |
$1,500 |
Have you been quoted $5,000 – $7,000 for Invisalign treatment alone? The location where you live is one of the biggest factors why Invisalign costs this much.
Plus, most of the local clinics back home would want a full payment upfront, and this dampens the motivation of many patients.
If you want to save on your treatment, you can get Invisalign in Mexico. Mexico dental tourism is a popular option among western patients. This is attributed to the high-quality dental care, world-class infrastructure, simple travel passages, and low cost of dental care.
Add to that, you can get an opportunity to couple your dental travel with a beach vacation as well. Consider Cancun, Tijuana, or Los Algodones which are some of the most visited dental tourism destinations in Mexico.
And with the influx of dental offices in Mexico, we know it can be quite a headache to choose the best one for your needs. Plus, we’ve heard all about the horror stories of dental tourists getting sub-standard treatment.
Book An Appointment with the Best Invisalign Dentist in Mexico
Dayo Dental can connect you with the best invisalign dentist in Mexico. We work only with the most reputable clinics that maintain the highest standards of safety and quality. Our partner dental practices are not the “in the pocket of” type of practice. This means they will not try to upsell you dental treatments that you don’t need.
To book an appointment, call Dayo Dental today at 877-987-32960. We look forward to helping you achieve the beautiful, straight smile you’ve always wanted!
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