Braces are the popular choice to fix an overbite. But, you may not want it. So, you might ask, Can you fix an overbite without braces?
An overbite can be fixed without braces. The best alternative can be Invisalign or a clear aligner. However, surgery may be required to correct serious overbite cases. Minor issues can be solved with a removable retainer. If you don’t want orthodontic treatment, you may get a crown or veneer to fix the overbite.
In this article, we have discussed in which situation you can go for a certain alternative for braces to fix an overbite and when you can’t make the choice at all.
When are braces essential for overbite?
Overbite is a condition when upper teeth protrude forward or overlap the lower teeth more than the ideal range.
The excess protrusion is called horizontal overbite or an overjet whereas excess overlapping is called deep bite or vertical overbite.
Normally 2-3 mm overbite is ideal. When it’s more than that you need treatment to improve your appearance.
Braces are the best way to fix almost any kind of overbite. Before you know about alternative ways, you should learn more about braces for an overbite.
You need braces when overbite is excessive and other methods aren’t enough to fix it.
If you have overbite due to skeletal problems, you may need more than braces.
Still, you may go for braces if you are happy with the average improvement of your smile and don’t want surgery and.
In that case, you may need a tooth extraction.
How to fix overbite without braces?
Here are the options by which overbite can be fixed:
Invisalign
One of the best alternatives to braces to fix overbite is the Invisalign clear aligner. It’s a clear plastic aligner that is placed over your teeth just like a retainer.
This clear retainer puts a certain amount of pressure on your upper teeth and moves them backward.
As a result, your teeth become straight and overbite is corrected. Invisalign is transparent and that’s why people can’t notice that something is attached to your teeth.
Those who are concerned about their look with braces can pick this easily. An exciting thing is both teens and adults can get this device.
You have to wear Invisalign 22 hours a day. To fix an overbite it may take 9 months to 20 months. Duration varies from case to case.
Know how long you have to wear Invisalign based on various factors.
You need to wear this clear aligner regularly and follow all the advice from your orthodontist to get a better outcome.
Another advantage of its use is you can remove it anytime. So, you can also remove it while eating or brushing your teeth. You can’t do that with traditional braces.
It can fix a variety of cases, even some severe cases nowadays. That’s because of the invention of new techniques and attachments.
But, still, some serious overbite cases need braces or jaw surgery. The cost of Invisalign is slightly higher than traditional metal braces. Check out the cost of different types of braces.
Also, learn more about Invisalign for an overbite.
Removable retainer
Though this is an old technique, you can ask your orthodontist to fix a minor overbite. But, you can’t have this in most cases.
It’s not so effective, especially in adults. In growing children, it can be helpful to some extent.
In mild cases, you may wear the removable retainer for a few months to fix the horizontal overbite or overjet.
This is the same retainer that people get after braces treatment. But, this variety is activated to put pressure on the teeth.
You have to wear it for a certain period of day as your orthodontist recommends. You should learn all the processes to maintain it.
In case of minor vertical overbite or deep bite, you can get the removable retainer with a bite plate. It’s a specially designed retainer to fix the deep bite.
Learn more about retainers for an overbite.
Jaw Expanders
This technique is helpful in growing children, not adults. When a child develops a malocclusion or an excess overbite due to a narrow or small upper jaw, the orthodontist can use a jaw or palatal expander.
The orthodontist attaches two pieces of expanders to the upper molar teeth with the help of bands.
They are connected to the middle with an expansion screw. He applies force on your jaw using the screw.
This moves the expanders apart over time. As a result, the palate or upper jaw widens.
This creates more space for teeth to get themselves organized properly in the mouth and overbite is fixed as well.
Jaw Surgery
In severe cases like skeletal overbite, jaw surgery may be required to correct an overbite in adults. The name of this surgery is orthognathic surgery.
Skeletal overbite is a condition when your upper jaw is more protruded than the lower jaw because of the developmental problem of the upper jaw.
The size of the upper jaw bone may be bigger or more forwardly placed as compared to the lower jaw.
Sometimes, the lower jaw can be developmentally shorter than the upper jaw. One or more of these reasons can be responsible for your overbite.
In adults, you can’t modify the growth of the bone, but in children, we can do that. In these situations, braces or Invisalign may not be 100% effective for adults.
So, the surgery became necessary to reposition the jaw. After the surgery, the teeth come back to normal position and the bite is fixed.
It may require wearing braces or Invisalign depending upon cases after recovering from surgery.
Veneer
If you don’t want braces or any surgery, you may go for another option, which is getting a porcelain crown or veneer. But, How can veneer or crown fix an overbite?
The dentist builds thin porcelain or veneer crown over the outer or biting surface of the responsible teeth.
This can fix the overbite and give you straight teeth. However, minor cases can be corrected by this method. Severe overbite needs braces, Invisalign, or surgery to fix it.
Orthodontic Headgear
In growing children, an overbite can be fixed or prevented with the help of orthodontic headgear or braces headgear.
It controls the growth of the jawbones by preventing or encouraging them to grow.
The underdeveloped or overdeveloped jaw bone is one of the most important causes of overbite.
If we detect developmental problems at an early age, we can get the best result. Headgear can fix the overbite by aligning your jaw to a perfect position.
This device applies tension to the teeth and jaw through elastic bands, coils, and hooks.
Reshaping of teeth
Some minor overbite can be corrected by reshaping or bonding the teeth. But, in most cases, the result isn’t so satisfactory.
Exercises
If you or your children have a bad habit and it’s responsible for the overbite, you can perform techniques to minimize the effects.
An example of that is the tongue thrust exercise to prevent tongue thrust and reduce overbite.
However, you still need the braces, headgear, or Invisalign if you have an abnormal overbite.
You should also prevent other habits like nail-biting or finger-sucking.
Check our other article to know how to prevent overbite and perform the exercise at home.
You can also know about other treatment options to fix an overbite.
Is it possible to treat overbite without braces at home?
Sadly, overbite can’t be corrected at home. You need to seek an orthodontist to treat the overbite without any side effects.
If you try to perform anything to move your teeth for an overbite, it will damage your teeth, gums, and jaw.
Keep in mind that you need a certified orthodontist to fix the bite and misaligned teeth.
Takeaways
You don’t need braces in all cases to fix an overbite. If you have minor overbite you may not go for any correction at all or you may get a removable retainer.
If you need more than that, you can get Invisalign or a clear aligner which is the best alternative to braces.
In severe cases such as fixing skeletal overbite, you need surgery to correct the issue.
However, consult with your orthodontist to know which option can be the best for you.
