Can Braces Actually Fix An Overbite

When you have an overbite and you want to get a beautiful smile, you start looking for a solution. Can braces fix an overbite?

Braces are one of the best options to fix an overbite. You get brackets, wires, rubber bands, and springs to apply a force on the teeth. This pressure encourages the forward movement of upper teeth and backward movement of lower teeth and straightens them to correct the overbite.

But, if you aren’t comfortable with metal braces, you can go for Invisalign clear aligners. However, you may need surgery in severe cases. After the surgery, braces may also help you to fix an overbite.

Compare braces and Invisalign before you decide.

But, you may wonder, how can braces correct an overbite? Can braces fix all overbite cases? Should you get braces if you have an overbite?

In this article, you will get all the answers to your questions.

When can braces fix an overbite?

Can Braces Actually Fix An Overbite

Braces can be helpful in most overbite cases. To know when you can get the braces for these problems, first of all, you need to know about overbites.

Overbites are two types in general terms, such as a horizontal and vertical overbite. In orthodontics, a horizontal overbite is actually named an overjet whereas a vertical overbite is named an overbite.

Overbite ain’t bad if it remains in the normal range (2-3 mm). When it exceeds the range, you may have to face functional and aesthetic problems.

An overbite can be caused by a developmental problem of the jaw bone or a bad oral habit like using pacifiers, nail-biting, poor chewing habits, finger sucking, or tongue thrusting.

Braces can fix the bite that occurs due to those habits. When the jaw bone is underdeveloped or overdeveloped genetically, braces alone may not help you in all cases.

So, you need teeth extraction or jaw surgery before getting braces. Even if you don’t have surgery in those cases, still braces can make the condition better.

Learn: Is it bad to have an overbite?

Here are the cases when you can get braces for overbite:

Bring the protruded teeth back

When your upper teeth are more protruded than the lower teeth, it’s called an excess overjet or horizontal overbite.

On the other hand, when your top teeth overlap the bottom teeth more than normal, it’s called an excess vertical overbite or deep bite.

Braces are one of the best options to correct these issues. In fact, braces can correct those errors perfectly.

Even in severe overbite cases

You can get this treatment in mild to severe cases. Whether it’s a 5 mm or 10 mm overjet, it can give you a better smile by correcting them.

Correcting any type of deep bites

If we talk about the deep bite, braces can work finely and quickly to solve the problems.

Bring the protruded teeth back

Braces can bring your protruded teeth backward easily compared to other techniques. In that case, you need rubber bands or springs along with braces.

Overbite due to bad oral habits

An overbite can result from bad oral habits such as thumbsucking or tongue thrusting habits. This treatment is a great option to solve the issue.

Tooth extraction to fix the excess bite

You bring your teeth back or rearrange them in a proper position, you need space in your mouth.

When the arches of the jaw that hold the teeth have no space, you may require tooth extraction before moving the teeth.

In those types of cases, braces are the best to close the extraction gaps as well as fixing the bite.

Some skeletal cases

Some people have overbites due to jaw bone problems. Though these cases need surgery, braces can also be beneficial if you don’t want to have the surgery.

How fast do braces fix an overbite?

Braces move teeth faster than the other methods to fix an overbite and correct all orthodontic issues. On average, it may take 1 year to 2 years to complete the treatment.

Learn – How long braces take to fix an overbite depending on various factors.

When do you need more than braces?

In some complicated cases, you may need other alternatives to braces or braces alone can’t be 100% effective.

Overbite isn’t always for the problem with your teeth. You may have it for the growing problem with your jaw.

Some people have a bigger upper jaw and some have a smaller lower jaw than normal. In some patients, they have both problems.

Because of that, there is an excess of overbite. This is the skeletal overbite case.

In severe jaw bone problems, you need jaw surgery. This surgery fixes the issue with your jaw bone and brings the jaw in a normal position and corrects the overbite.

However, in some cases, you need to wear braces after you are healed from surgery. So, you can see how important braces are.

Here are some benefits of getting braces for overbite correction:

Cheaper than others

The cost of braces is lower than Invisalign. Ceramic braces cost you more than traditional braces. But, ceramic braces match the shape of your teeth. So, it’s less noticeable.

No surgery

Braces treatment doesn’t need surgical innervation. In some cases, tooth extraction can be enough for it.

Treating any case

Braces are the only treatment option that can correct maximum orthodontic cases including any kind of overbite.

Should I get braces if I have an overbite?

You should go for braces to fix an overbite without any doubt if your case is suitable for it.

Braces can not only correct bite problems but also reposition misaligned and crowded teeth properly with the help of different types of tooth movement and attachments such as brackets, wires, elastics, and springs.

However, if other alternatives like Invisalign clear aligners are also effective for your case, you may pick that.

Invisalign gives you a better look than braces while wearing them. It’s also very comfortable compared to braces.

But, keep in mind that braces can fix most cases, even some serious cases. However, skeletal cases may need surgery.

Also, check out putting braces on small teeth.

Can Braces Alone Fix Overbite?

Braces alone can fix the overbite in minor cases. In moderate to severe cases, you may need a tooth extraction for braces.

If you have a skeletal overbite, jaw surgery may be necessary before the orthodontic treatment.

Teens usually don’t need the surgery, instead, they can have orthodontic headgears or palatal expanders.

Getting braces treatment doesn’t mean that you will only have those brackets and wires.

You also need elastic bands, springs, and other attachments to fix the overbite and misaligned teeth.

Check out the ways how you can fix an overbite.

How do braces work for an overbite?

Here are the ways how braces work for overbite correction.

Putting an appropriate force on teeth

You get brackets on teeth as well as wires. These wires are tightened to produce a force on the teeth.

Orthodontists always put an ideal force that provides constant pressure on the teeth. He uses rubber bands or forsus springs to give additional pressure on the teeth, especially to fix the overbite.

Structural changes within the jawbones

The force provides pressure on the bone that holds the teeth. Because of the pressure, changes occur within the structure of the bone.

Due to the chemical reaction, a path is created for teeth to move toward the direction of the force.

Tooth movement to the desired position

As a result of the pressure and changes in bones, teeth move gradually to desired places.

Moving the front teeth backward and fixing an overbite

Rubber bands or springs move the teeth back. That’s how overbite is corrected.

Stages of overbite treatment with braces

Overbite correction with braces treatment consists of two stages.

Stage one is the straightening of teeth and stage two is fixing the overbite. First of all the orthodontist aligns all the teeth.

He attaches brackets and wires to all teeth. After the teeth get straightened, he attaches rubber bands, coil, or forsus springs that connect the brackets of the upper and lower jaw.

This helps shift the front teeth backward, eventually fix the overbite.

After braces are off, the treatment isn’t over. You get a retainer to hold the teeth in the new position.

It’s necessary because teeth may get back to their old position and recreate the overbite without this.

Can ceramic braces fix an overbite?

Ceramic braces fix the same way as traditional metal braces. The only difference is the brackets are clear and it gives you a pleasant look.

They are less noticeable like Invisalign, but it can move your teeth a little bit faster and fix the overbite. So, if you are concerned about your look, you can choose ceramic braces.

Can lingual braces fix an overbite?

Lingual braces can fix many horizontal overbites or protruding upper teeth, but may not be able to fix the vertical overbite or deep bite.

The reason is the brackets may come off due to the deep bite. If you are a good candidate for the lingual braces, you can take all its advantages.

Brackets are placed behind your teeth in this treatment, so they aren’t visible at all.

Can I get braces for overbite and gap at the same time?

You don’t get braces to solve a single problem. Braces are used to solve any orthodontic problems from overbite to gap teeth.

So, you can also get braces for overbite and gap at the same time. It’s necessary because only fixing one problem and ignoring another can make the situation worse or create a new problem.

That’s why when you go to your orthodontist to correct the overbite, he will also close the gaps between your teeth and try to give you a better smile.

Cost of braces for fixing an overbite

On average traditional metal braces cost you from $3,000 to $6,000 for overbite treatment.

The cost of ceramic braces could be as low as $4,000 or as high as $8,000.

You may have to spend $8,000 – $10,000 for lingual braces.

The price of braces treatment varies from country to country and the severity of overbite and malocclusion. If you have dental or orthodontic insurance, the cost may be low.

What types of braces are best for an overbite?

Mainly, braces can be of three types such as metal, ceramic and lingual braces. If you think about cost, traditional metal braces are the best choice for you.

Moreover, it’s cheaper than ceramic braces and more effective than lingual braces to fix an overbite. Metal braces can correct crowding or crooked teeth and other severe malocclusions as well.

If you are concerned about your look with braces, you can get ceramic braces. Its mechanism is the same as metal braces and equally effective.

Though the cost may be high, these braces are less noticeable as the brackets are transparent.

Though lingual braces are Invisible as they are attached to the back of teeth, they can’t be much comfortable for you sometimes.

There are other special types of braces, called Damon braces. This is also made of metal, but it uses a slide mechanism to replace the elastic bands of traditional braces. This mechanism attaches wires to brackets.

Are braces necessary for overbite?

Though braces treatment is the best option to treat an overbite, it’s not mandatory. Invisalign is also very effective and that’s getting popular today.

However, depending on the cases, you may need other treatment options such as jaw surgery or headgears.

But, the correction of overbite is necessary as it can cause various problems later.

Untreated cases may be responsible for jaw pain, speech disturbance, changing facial appearance or smile, low self-esteem, TMJ issues, wearing tooth enamel, and chewing difficulty.

Alternative to braces for fixing an overbite

Here are some alternatives to braces that you prefer depending on the case.

Invisalign clear aligners

If you don’t like those metal or rough braces to carry on your mouth all time, you can go with the Invisalign.

It’s a custom-made plastic tray that you put over your teeth. As it’s clear, none can notice that you are wearing something in your mouth.

You can also remove it at any time and it’s comfortable. Most importantly, it can be effective just like braces.

Know in detail about the Invisalign for braces.

Headgear

Teen or growing children can choose orthodontic headgears. It controls the growth of the jaw bone and corrects the bite.

Palatal expander

This is also effective in growing children. This device widens the upper jaw and creates space for teeth to fix the overbite.

Surgery

Jaw surgery is necessary when you have an overbite due to skeletal problems. It can’t be fixed perfectly by other means. This treatment may or may not need braces after the surgery.

Exercises

You may learn overbite correction or habit-breaking exercises to make the situation better. However, exercises are only to prevent the overbite by eliminating the habits, not to fix it.

Learn about the habit-breaking technique and exercises.

Also, know more about treating overbite without braces.

How to fix overbite after braces?

You may have a slight overbite after braces treatment. This may happen when you need jaw surgery to fix an overbite but you correct it with braces.

As you didn’t have the surgery willingly you should not regret it. At least, you have a better smile than before now.

However, in the case of a dental overbite, braces correct it completely, But, an overbite may come back after the braces if you don’t wear retainers regularly as the orthodontist recommends.

To fix the overbite after braces, either you can get braces again or may get an active retainer or Invisalign to correct the bite. This may take less time than the first time you had the braces.

Takeaways

Braces can correct most of the overbite completely by applying pressure on the teeth and shifting them back.

Various tooth movements and components of braces help achieve this goal faster than other treatment options.

You can also choose braces if you have a surgical case and you don’t want to have the surgery.

But, the best treatment option can vary from case to case. So, consult with a certified orthodontist to know what’s good for you.