Overjet can be a concerning, confidence-sapping condition. For some, however, wearing a mouth full of hardware for a year or more raises even more concerns. The good news is that this bite misalignment is treatable at any age, and home teeth alignment is quickly becoming one of the most popular treatment options available.
Companies that deliver clear aligner treatment directly to your home have become a convenient and affordable option for mild cases of overjet. Keep reading to learn more about how home aligners work, a few of the best providers on the market, and some alternatives in case home teeth alignment isn’t right for you.
Table of Contents
What Is Overjet?
Overjet is a type of bite misalignment that represents an excessive protrusion of your upper front teeth. Overjet doesn’t present any immediate medical issues, but because it alters your bite, it can cause uneven enamel wear and lead to tooth and gum decay down the road. Not to mention, having an overjet might make you feel less comfortable with your smile.
Other common overjet symptoms can include:
- Jaw discomfort and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD)
- Difficulty chewing
- Speech issues
- Irregular facial appearances
- Headaches
- Toothaches
Overjet vs. Overbite
These two conditions are closely related and often coexist, so it’s easy to confuse them. However, overbites are vertical misalignments, while overjets are horizontal. In other words, with an overbite, your top teeth still point straight down, but an overjet sticks out at an angle.
Either way, however, at-home aligners might be a good option, since they can treat some cases of overbite as well.
What Causes Overjet?
Some cases of overjet are hereditary, while others come from overcrowded teeth or a late eruption of permanent teeth. However, it can also come from certain childhood habits. Thumb sucking, pacifier use, or bottle use beyond age three can potentially cause bite issues, as can excessive tongue thrusting. They most often appear in children as the teeth and jaw develop, but can persist into adulthood as well.
How Do Home Teeth Aligners Work?
Home teeth aligners are exactly what they sound like: aligners designed to treat dental concerns from home, without the added cost or hassle of making regular trips to the dentist. But what does the process of home teeth alignment actually entail?
To get the ball rolling, you’ll usually take impressions of your teeth using a kit from your provider (though some offer in-person scans as well). Then, you’ll mail the impressions back to them for their team of dentists to review. If the dentist in charge of your case determines that home aligners aren’t the right fit for you, the company will often refund you for the cost of the kit — usually around $49–$99.
After this step, your provider will use your impressions to design a series of custom aligners, and you should receive them in about one month. From there, it’s up to you to wear your aligners for 22+ hours each day — or ten hours if you choose a nighttime-only plan — keep up with your oral hygiene routine, and progress through the series of aligners as directed.
Can Home Teeth Aligners Fix Overjet?
In certain cases, yes. While home some aligner companies say their treatments are primarily for crowding and spacing issues, they can correct certain overjet cases as well, depending on the cause and severity.
Overjets are often purely dental, which means they affect the teeth, but not the jaw. These cases typically stem from upper teeth that erupt at an angle and protrude out instead of down. However, other times, the condition is skeletal — related to jaw positioning or growth. Overjet can result from an underdeveloped lower jaw or a difference in upper and lower arch length.
Home aligners can only treat mild bite conditions, and typically, these cases are dental, not skeletal. Home aligner treatments don’t include the consistent one-on-one attention from an orthodontist that’s necessary to correct severe jaw misalignments or development issues. So, if you’re looking for a large-scale jaw or facial transformation, you should look into more robust treatment options (such as braces).
That said, if your case of overjet falls on the mild end of the spectrum, home aligners might be a perfectly viable option for you.
The Best Home Aligners for Overjet
Home teeth aligners are part of an evolving industry, but one that’s backed by research and proven results. Several companies have sprouted up over the past few years, but not all of them offer bite correction as part of their program. We’ve thoroughly researched the options for you and compiled a list of the best home aligners for overjet treatment:
#1: Byte
Byte is one of the most innovative aligner treatments on the market. They provide a high-frequency vibration device called HyperByte — which is intended to reduce discomfort — and claim their average treatment plan length is just 4–5 months. Plus, they put a lifetime guarantee on your smile, and for those who’d prefer not to wear aligners all day, they offer “At-Night” aligners designed with thick, grind-resistant plastic.
Byte Pros
- Byte claims their average treatment plan length is just 4–5 months.
- Byte includes their high-frequency vibration device, the HyperByte, in the cost of your aligner bundle. There’s evidence that devices like this may provide a more comfortable aligner fit and faster dental shifts for some people.
- The Byte-For-Life guarantee provides new aligners if your teeth ever shift, as long as you continue purchasing and wearing their retainers as directed.
- Their financing plans don’t require a credit check, so everyone qualifies.
- Byte-At-Night only requires ten hours of continuous wear per day instead of the usual 22.
- Byte includes one set of aftercare retainers for free.
Byte Cons
- Byte doesn’t currently have any retail locations, so you’ll need to order an impression kit to get started.
- Byte’s $1,999 price tag is just average for the industry.
Plenty of bite issues respond well to Byte’s treatment program, but the company gives no guarantee that it’s suitable for all overjet cases. Their team of dental experts will need to examine molds of your teeth before they can determine if their treatment can work for you. To really find out if you’re a suitable candidate, you will need to complete and submit an impression kit.
#2: Candid
Candid is changing the tooth alignment game by blending elements of traditional and remote care. Their hybrid at-home and in-office treatment model starts in the dentist’s chair, where you get an examination and digital scan. After that, you’ll complete regular check-ins using the CandidApp and CandidMonitoring kit — no additional office visits required.
Candid Pros
- Candid has a network of 300+ dentists, and they’re adding more all the time.
- The local dentist who examined you in-person will collaborate with Candid throughout the entire treatment process. Fully remote teeth alignment services like Byte and SmileDirectClub don’t offer this benefit.
- Since your dentist performs a 3D scan, you get to skip the impression kit.
- CandidMonitoring lets your dentist and Candid’s team evaluate your progress every step of the way, helping your treatment stay on track.
- Candid’s aligners are made from Zendura FLX plastic, so they’re flexible, durable, and powerful.
Candid Cons
- Candid treatment costs $3,500+ — which is more on par with in-office treatments than at-home ones.
- Financing varies between doctors, but isn’t always available.
A Candid-partnered dentist will have to review the condition of your teeth in person to determine your eligibility. They might be able to treat minor overjet cases, but it all depends on the severity.
#3: SmileDirectClub
SmileDirectClub is easily the best-known brand of home teeth aligners on the market. They’ve been straightening teeth since 2014 and served over 1.5 million customers to date. With over 100 SmileShops and a nighttime-only treatment option, they’re a highly convenient service. Plus, they have a lifetime smile warranty and extensive refund policies.
SmileDirectClub Pros
- SmileDirectClub has over 100 SmileShops across the U.S. where you can get a free teeth scan and skip the impression kit — plus 1,000+ partnering dentists who can also scan your teeth to get your treatment started.
- Through SmilePay, every customer can receive financing, no credit check required.
- SmileDirectClub’s Nighttime Aligners allow you to complete your treatment by wearing aligners for just ten hours per day.
- Their Lifetime Smile Guarantee will provide new aligners if your teeth shift out of place in the future, as long as you purchase two sets of retainers every year and wear them as directed.
- SmileDirectClub issues full refunds within the first 30 days of treatment and partial refunds after that.
SmileDirectClub Cons
- SmileDirectClub has a mixed track record of customer service quality.
- They charge an additional $125 fee for retainers after treatment.
SmileDirectClub evaluates bite conditions just like the previous companies: on a case-by-case basis. If your case of overjet is mild, it might be worth requesting an impression kit or visiting a SmileShop so one of the company’s network dentists can evaluate your condition.
What Are My Other Options?
You might decide that home aligners are the perfect treatment for your case of overjet, but even though they’re affordable and convenient, they aren’t a universal solution. You may find out that you aren’t a candidate, or you might be more comfortable receiving in-person care throughout treatment. Regardless, there are other options for correcting overjet.
Braces
There is no overjet treatment with a longer history of proven results than braces. A longstanding option for spacing, crowding, and bite issues alike, braces’ sturdiness and durability provide consistently impressive results. Plus, braces require regular office visits, so your dentist can supplement them with elastics, Forsus correctors, and the Herbst appliance to catalyze larger or more intricate teeth and jaw shifts.
Some adults shy away from braces because of their appearance, but like other dental technology, braces have evolved over the years and now come in discreet options like clear braces and lingual braces (which go behind your teeth). This durability and versatility, however, doesn’t come without an added cost, and braces typically cost around $3,000–$7,000.
Invisalign
Invisalign is another popular, time-tested overjet treatment that combines the robust oversight of in-office care with the low profile of clear aligners. Like braces, Invisalign is administered in person and therefore can employ supplementary appliances like elastics for more drastic alignment shifts.
Plus, Invisalign has its own customizable add-ons, like Smartforce attachments — tiny shapes affixed to tooth exteriors — and mandibular advancement, subtle “wings” built into the aligners that shift the lower jaw forward. Working together with Invisalign’s clear aligners, these attachments can efficiently and reliably facilitate substantial tooth and jaw movements. But like braces, the average cost of Invisalign is much higher than home aligners, typically around $3,000–$8,000.
ClearCorrect
If you’re set on in-office clear aligner treatment, but aren’t sold on Invisalign, look into ClearCorrect, one of their biggest competitors. Their process is almost identical to Invisalign; your dentist or orthodontist will evaluate your condition, then administer the aligners and evaluate your progress during regular office visits.
These aligners can also incorporate attachments to treat severe cases and bite misalignments. ClearCorrect isn’t as experienced or prolific as Invisalign, but they charge dentists less for lab fees and have multiple plans — including one where you pay per aligner — so your treatment might be more affordable.
SureSmile
Another one of Invisalign’s oldest competitors, SureSmile launched its clear aligners in 2007. It can treat the same scope of misalignments as Invisalign, and the company says that their patients are less likely to need refinements after treatment. Despite this, they boast lower prices and, since they don’t have a specific mandatory scanner, providers can save money and pass those savings on to you.
3M Clarity Aligners
3M — the company behind Scotch Tape and Post-Its — creates clear aligners with incredible teeth-moving power thanks to their unique attachment placement. Clarity Aligners are only available to orthodontists, who can use two different proprietary materials to deliver a treatment highly customized to your condition. Since 3M also makes Clarity Clear Braces, orthodontists can also design a combination treatment that uses them simultaneously with aligners.
Final Thoughts
Despite being relatively new, the home aligner systems outlined here might be affordable treatments for your mild overjet, and they make it incredibly easy to get started. If they determine you’re not a candidate, they will refund any money you paid for your impression kit or dental scan, so you can explore your options risk-free.
As you research various treatments, remember that it comes down to choosing the one that best meets your goals, expectations, preferences, and finances. Weigh the advantages and drawbacks of each option, and consider consulting your dentist to get a professional opinion. This way, you can make this decision with confidence and before you know it, you’ll be on a journey toward the smile you’ve always wanted!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to fix an overjet?
It depends on your specific case. Braces or in-office clear aligners like Invisalign work for many mild or moderate overjets, and at-home aligners like Byte can work for mild ones. However, overjets from severe skeletal misalignments might require surgery instead.
How much overjet is normal?
Our top teeth naturally overlap our bottom ones, so everyone has some type of very slight overbite or overjet. This overlap, however, is typically just 1–3mm. Anything more than that and it can cause oral health issues.
Can you fix an overjet naturally?
No. Correcting an overjet requires some type of professional orthodontic treatment, whether it’s braces, in-office clear aligners like Invisalign, at-home aligners like Byte, or for especially severe cases, surgery. DIY orthodontia is dangerous and can cause serious damage to your teeth and gums.
Is an overjet the same as an overbite?
No. They’re similar in that they’re both conditions where the top teeth extend too far past the bottom ones. However, overbite is a vertical misalignment, while overjet is horizontal. In other words, in an overbite, your top teeth still point straight down. But in an overjet, they stick out at an angle.
Is overjet genetic?
Some cases of overjet are hereditary, but it can also come from overcrowded teeth, late erupting permanent teeth, and extensive childhood thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, pacifier use, or bottle use.
How much do clear aligners cost?
It depends on which clear aligner treatment you choose. If you go with an in-office treatment like Invisalign, it will cost (on average) between $3,000 and $8,000. At-home aligner services like Byte and SmileDirectClub, on the other hand, are somewhat less expensive, costing $1,000–$2,500 on average.
For a detailed look at pricing, take a look at our guides to the true cost of Invisalign, Byte, and SmileDirectClub.
What are the best at-home aligners?
In our opinion, it’s Byte. They deliver efficient treatment times for many customers, provide a nighttime-only option, and put a lifetime guarantee on their results (see our full Byte review for an in-depth look). There are some other good brands on the market, and the best one for you depends entirely on your preferences and circumstances. Check out our guide to the five best at-home aligner companies for a full comparison.
Do clear aligners hurt?
When you switch to a new aligner set every two weeks, you might experience some discomfort for the first day or two, but after that, you’ll hardly notice them.
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