Can Invisalign Correct Overbite In Adults?

If you have an overbite, it might feel uncomfortable and sap your confidence, but there’s good news: you don’t have to live with it. Multiple treatments can correct it effectively — and Invisalign is one of the most popular. Although braces have long been considered the most reliable method for correcting bite issues, Invisalign offers similar results at around the same price, and with no metal in sight.

Read on and you’ll find a lot more details about treating overbite with Invisalign, as well as some alternative clear aligners with significantly smaller price tags.

What Is Overbite?

Overbite, or “deep bite”, occurs when the upper teeth significantly overlap the lower ones. Most cases are mild — hardly noticeable and easily treated — but some can be severe. Rarely is overbite a dire medical concern, although it can make dental hygiene and eating difficult, accelerate enamel damage, cause jaw discomfort, and make you hesitant to show off your pearly whites.

An overbite doesn’t always come with symptoms, but it can cause:

• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
• Discomfort while eating
• Earaches
• Headaches
• Speech impediments

Since they cause the teeth to make contact in atypical locations, overbites can also cause uneven wear on your teeth and gums. Left untreated, this wear can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and even tooth loss. Some cases of untreated overbite can also cause obstructive sleep apnea.

Overbite or Overjet?

Many people confuse these two conditions, and for good reason. They look fairly similar, and they both stem from the top and bottom arches not lining up. However, overbites are vertical misalignments, while overjets are horizontal. In other words, with an overbite, your top teeth point straight down, but with an overjet, they protrude diagonally.

Either way, however, Invisalign is a good option, since it can treat overjet as well.

What Causes Overbite?

Genetics often play a role in any dental or jaw misalignment, including overbite. If your lower jaw is too small, your upper jaw is too large, or your teeth are crooked, it could cause an overbite. However, your habits can be equally responsible. Thumb-sucking or pacifier use past age three are other common causes, as are tongue thrusting, excessive nail-biting, or frequently chewing on objects like pens.

Is Invisalign Effective for Treating Overbite?

Yes. Invisalign is a versatile technology that can correct a variety of dental conditions, including overbite.

At one time, Invisalign produced simple clear aligners that functioned mainly to straighten teeth, but not correct more complex alignment issues like overbite. With the advancement of dental technology in the past two decades, dentists can supplement these aligners with elastics and “Smartforce” attachments to allow for more complex tooth and jaw adjustments. This gives your doctor a whole toolbox of options for correcting your overbite.

Invisalign may not produce sufficient results if you have a severe overbite caused by a significant misalignment of the two jaws. These cases might require jaw surgery to produce drastic facial transformations. But again, for most overbites, Invisalign will work exceptionally well when administered by an experienced provider.

That said, Invisalign isn’t the most affordable option on the market. Even though you might receive insurance coverage (depending on your plan), the average cost of Invisalign is $3,000–$8,000. Yet given their power, quality, and long track record of stunning results, that cost might just be worth it for you.

What’s It Like to Wear Invisalign?

Adults often favor Invisalign over braces because they’re 1) clear, and 2) removable. This means that they’re much less noticeable, and you can take them out to eat, brush your teeth, or attend an important meeting or other special occasion. If your treatment plan includes Smartforce attachments, they’ll stay on the entire time — but again, they’re hardly noticeable.

Invisalign is also typically more comfortable than braces. Since they’re made of plastic, clear aligners irritate the cheeks and tongue far less than metal wires and brackets. Of course, moving your teeth always causes a little discomfort, no matter which treatment you pick. But ‌Invisalign offers more comfort and flexibility than conventional braces.

On the flip side, Invisalign treatment requires a lot more discipline than traditional braces. Since Invisalign trays are removable, you have to wear them for 22 hrs each day to align your teeth and jaws successfully. If you’re not motivated enough to play through the pain for the long-term payout — or frequently forget to wear them — Invisalign might be TOO flexible of an option for you.

If you think you’d have trouble integrating Invisalign into your day-to-day routine, consider braces instead. These days there are many more options available than the traditional metal braces you remember from your childhood. We cover the types of braces that exist today (and much more) in our guide to correcting overbite with braces.

But if you’ve read this far and you’re intrigued by Invisalign, check out our in-depth review for all the info you need to decide if they’re right for you.

Alternative Invisible Aligners

While Invisalign pioneered the mass-market clear aligner and remains among the most popular providers out there, there are a few other clear aligner brands that can match them in effectiveness and efficiency. Plus, there’s a whole new industry on the rise for at-home teeth aligner brands that don’t require a single trip to the dentist.

Whether you’re simply interested in an alternative clear aligner brand or you’re looking to correct your overbite from home, there’s most likely a solution on this list for you. Below, we’ve broken down some of the most popular alternatives to Invisalign.

In-Office Brands

Align Tech (makers of Invisalign) is no longer the only company that partners with dentists and orthodontists to provide treatment with clear aligners. Like Invisalign, these treatments include regular in-person care from your dentist or orthodontist, and they can all incorporate attachments and appliances to correct more complex jaw misalignments like overbite.

• ClearCorrect: Founded in 2006, ClearCorrect isn’t as experienced as Invisalign, but they’ve still been delivering quality results for over a decade and offer a comparable experience. They typically charge dentists and orthodontists less for lab fees, which can make their aligners slightly more affordable. Plus, they have multiple treatment plans — including one where you pay per aligner — so they can tailor your plan to your condition.

Check out our full ClearCorrect review to learn more.

• 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.

Interested? Read through our complete SureSmile review for more.

• 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. They’re 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.

Our full 3M Clarity Aligners review has a ton more information.

Home Invisible Aligners:

In recent years, several online companies have entered the industry to provide a more affordable option for adults seeking to correct mild tooth and jaw misalignments from home. Similar to Invisalign, you’ll receive a set of clear, removable aligners customized to your teeth by a dental professional. But unlike Invisalign, they don’t require any trips to the dentist’s office — and treatment often costs a lot less. They can’t handle severe misalignments or significant bite issues, but they’re convenient choices for milder cases.

• Byte: Byte claims an average treatment plan length of just 4–5 months, and with every aligner package, they include their HyperByte — a high-frequency vibration device that’s intended to reduce discomfort. Plus, they put a lifetime guarantee on your smile, and for those who’d prefer to straighten their teeth at night, they offer “At-Night” aligners designed with plastic selected specifically to withstand nighttime teeth grinding.

See our comprehensive review of Byte for an in-depth look at their services.

• Candid: Candid started as a fully remote clear aligner service, but have since shifted to a hybrid treatment that combines elements of in-office and at-home care. After an initial in-person consultation and examination with a local dentist, you’ll check in virtually via their CandidMonitoring service every 14 days for the rest of your treatment. It usually costs $3,500 or more, but you’ll get a higher level of care than other at-home options.

Our complete Candid review has a lot more important information.

• SmileDirectClub: SmileDirectClub was one of the first companies to offer at-home clear aligner treatment and continues to be the most popular option. Founded in 2014, SmileDirectClub has treated over 1.5 million patients to date. With SmileShops across the country where you can get a free teeth scan, they’ve also gone the extra mile to make the treatment process as convenient as possible. Plus, they have a lifetime smile guarantee and extensive refund policies.

Check out our SmileDirectClub review for a deep dive into their treatment.

Beyond Standard Treatment Options

The cases are few and far between, but some overbites are too severe for orthodontic treatments like Invisalign or braces. In these situations, the overbite is so pronounced that it requires jaw surgery to correct. Given the procedure’s seriousness, you should consult a dentist first to see if an orthodontic treatment might produce the results you’re seeking.

Oral surgeons perform this procedure inside your mouth, so you won’t have any visible scarring. But it’s a significant procedure that comes with up to twelve weeks of recovery, including — in some cases — additional orthodontic work. Fortunately, most cases of overbite don’t require surgical intervention, and respond well to the options discussed above. If you have a severe overbite, an orthodontist can determine if you need.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to treating overbite, there’s a lot to like about Invisalign: it’s highly effective, removable, and unobtrusive. No wonder it’s become such a popular and well-respected method for correcting common smile concerns. Still, like any other treatment, Invisalign has its downsides. It’s more expensive than many other options, like home teeth aligners, and it requires discipline and frequent dentist visits.

As you consider your options, evaluate each one’s pros and cons. Most importantly, have your condition evaluated by a dentist and/or orthodontist before choosing a treatment. They’ll provide the expertise and guidance necessary to help you find the most effective treatment. Once you’ve chosen a route, go for it! And before you know it, you’ll be flashing those pearly whites with newfound confidence.