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.
Table of Contents
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.
Customer Ratings
- Results: 1 through 10 out of 15 results← Previous PageNext page →Lyndsey R.Lexington, SC1 year ago
Before
ProgressMy teeth have always been crooked. For a long time, I simply didn’t care. It was one of the few things about myself that didn’t make me self conscious. But once I turned 30, I started to feel like I had the smile of a middle schooler and I became a lot more conscious of it. So I finally decided to take the plunge and do it. I’m glad I did. I’m only on tray 11 of 33, so my progress is by no means amazing, but I can see that my arch has widened and my teeth are moving. I can’t wait to have straight teeth. The first week of Invisalign is awful, but it doesn’t take long to adjust and now I barely notice my aligners. They’re only a minor inconvenience. Discomfort has been minimal and so far I seem to be tracking as expected. The only complaint I have is that it seems providers aren’t as forthcoming or transparent about certain aspects of treatment. Many patients don’t know about attachments, the lisp, the possibility of IPR or bands, rescans and tracking issues, refinements (!!), and retainers for life. I knew a few of these things from my own research, but the dentist’s office didn’t tell me any of this ahead of time. And judging from the Invisalign support group I’m a member of on Facebook, this seems to be a trend across the board, not just with my provider. So my advice is to do your research and most of all comply with all the guidelines. It takes some discipline, but it’s worth it for pretty teeth!
Valentina T.Norfolk2 years ago
After
Before
ProgressI have been very unhappy with my smile for a very long time. I would always hide my smile because I didn’t want anyone to see the gaps that I had. I was born without my lateral incisors so basically I have two missing teeth which has created large spacing through my smile. I have always been so insecure and as I’ve gotten older it has gotten worse because I always wish I could have fixed my teeth when I was younger.
Now that I’m my own adult I’ve looked into so many options and didn’t know that Invisalign was something I could do. Turns out that Invisalign really can fix anything!! I’ve made so much progress in a short amount of time. If you look at my before and after pictures you can see that my front two teeth are coming closer together and the rest of my teeth are being pushed back to create a space for implants. It has definitely exceeded my expectations because I didn’t expect these type of results especially so quick. Everyone was really great and supportive and there for me if I had any questions.
I really recommend anybody to try any type of clear aligners because there really isn’t a limit on what they can and can’t do. As the spaces for my implants have been forming I thought that it would be another hurdle and insecurity to deal with such huge gaps. Luckily, they filled in the gaps with a wax to make it look like a complete smile. That way I do not feel embarrassed or feel uncomfortable and instead feel more confident until I’m able to get my implants which I think is great. So there are a lot of options in a lot of ways that people can get what they need done and have it done right!
Danica C.Saint Johnsbury, Vermont2 years ago
Before-ProgressI had been self conscious about my smile all of my life. I should have had braces as a teen, but it was not in my family’s budget. I am getting married in October of 2021 and I decided to finally get a smile I love before my wedding. My main concern was crowding and over jet. I read other reviews about clear aligners and decided to go with Invisalign through a local orthodontist. The impression process was very quick and easy. The tech took a digital impression of my teeth to send to Invisalign and then I received my aligners in about 4 weeks.
I have attachments (or buttons) on most of my teeth, which make the aligners a little more noticeable than I would have liked, but the attachments help move the teeth more efficiently. They are still far less noticeable than traditional braces and most people don’t even notice I have them until I mention it. The first week was rough. I had an extremely hard time getting the aligners off of my teeth because of the attachments.
Once you get the hang of it the process becomes much more manageable. I can now pop my aligners out in a few seconds. I change my trays once a week and my teeth are usually sore the first day of a new tray. For me it is very manageable with Tylenol. I am only 13 weeks in of my initial 30 trays and I LOVE the results I see so far. My top front teeth were the ones I have always been the most self conscious about. They already look so much better! I don’t have insurance and am paying out of pocket. The price for me was pretty steep at $7500.
My orthodontist allows me to make monthly payments that are manageable for me. The price includes my initial treatment, all my office visits, and refinements if needed. Overall, I feel it is worth it to be confident in my smile. I highly recommend Invisalign through an experienced orthodontist!
Stephanie K.Lakewood CO2 years ago
Before
ProgressI was told by a few different dentists that I had TMJ and an overbite slightly from that. I also grind my teeth at night and my enamel was wearing off so the aligned would help train my jaw to separate my teeth from grinding and my jaw to go back to being aligned straight again.
I chose my dentist and this company because my dentist was an acclaimed Invisalign expert and he has a patent on modifiers that are added into my trays to help my jaw, where I can’t get that anywhere else. The process for getting the best results and proper treatment was much more through than a mail at home kit. It is much pricier than other companies but I can already feel my jaw alignment has changed in a few weeks alone. I can see and feel progress in my jaw especially.
Monali P.Glassboro, NJ1 year ago
Before
Before
ProgressFor me, I never has braces as a kid. While my teeth were not horrible, I did have one tooth that was crooked that prevented me from taking picture with my left side prominent. I always loved a beautiful smile and thought I needed to focus on mine. I chose Dr. Bowen bc she is an orthodontist and she was nice with a brand new office and fair pricing. I did have issues with cankersores in the beginning but those resolved after a few trays. I am pleasantly surprised at how easy they are to wear and I am happy I went with them.
Yasmine R.San Diego1 year ago
Before
ProgressI wanted Invisalign because I was tired of feeling insecure every time I had to smile. I chose this current office due to the friendliness of the staff and the very reasonable price for the entire treatment. Previously, I had contacted multiple offices but they did not have as great of an offer as San Diego Smile Pros did. I recommend San Diego Smile Pros and I also recommend the Invisalign treatment to those who want to feel confident when they smile. My treatment is not over yet but I am very happy with the progress. I feel happy smiling now and will be even happier once the entire process is complete. The first two weeks were the most painful but after that, everything became easy and I love that I can still eat whatever foods I want to. Something else that I love is how you have to keep your trays and teeth clean after every meal so this makes you brush your teeth multiple times a day. I love Invisalign.
Leslie H.Rapid City, SD1 year ago
Before
ProgressUsing Invisalign has been pretty easy and mostly painless. I am seeking to correct overjet, crowding, overbite, and bite issues. It’s mostly cosmetic but my confidence is already through the roof!
For me, it’s a struggle to remember to brush and put them back in immediately after drinking coffee or eating. I thought I’d have to give up eating as much or drinking coffee, but that really hasn’t been the case! Personally, i don’t think my buttons on my teeth have stained, either. As far as pain goes, the first few days in a tray (I change weekly) are a little uncomfortable but it was never unbearable.
I went through a local orthodontist for my Invisalign – although the price was pretty steep, I recommend it highly. The scan was a little uncomfortable. They take 1,000s of photos of your teeth with a little tool while prying your mouth open. For anyone who’s had to do a dental impression, it’s way more accurate and not as awful as that. No bad tasting goo!
My advice is to at least get a consultation to see how much it’ll be. And make sure you articulate your desired results to your otho/provider. It’s important that they know what you want out of this, as well!
Emily H.Atlanta GA2 years ago
Before
ProgressI have been wanting to mainly fix some crowding with my bottom row of teeth for some time now. I had braces as a kid and as I have grown, my teeth shifted and crowding became worse. I started my journey with Invisalign back in January and am currently on tray 16. So far the process has been fairly easy and I have been switching to a new tray once a week. Scanning was super easy at the beginning and I was just re-scanned to assess how well my teeth have already moved.
So happy I went with Invisalign, as most people can’t even tell when I have my aligners in place and they barely show up in photos. I am already so pleased with my results and can’t wait to see the final product!
Leslie H.Rapid City, SD2 years ago
Before
ProgressI was hoping to correct crowding, overjet, overbite, and a smaller arch. I’ve done traditional braces before but had to stop treatment for a number of reasons – Invisalign has surpassed my expectations. I’m hardly in pain, I can talk and smile with confidence, and the results are already great. I’m only halfway through, and it’s already showing results. Teeth scan was uncomfortable but nothing like impressions. Aligners came back quickly!
Nikki S.New York2 years ago
Before
Before
Progress
Progress
ProgressInvisalign was the best decision I’ve ever made for my teeth! I never had braces and my teeth have shifted in my life and I really wanted to have a straight smile. I found an orthodontist who is a top provider, got scanned, and got started! Scanning for the trays is so easy! It’s a tool that scans your whole mouth electronically to send to Invisalign to create trays to make your new smile. You can eat and drink whatever you want after you take the aligners out. Then just clean them and brush your teeth and put them back in for 22 out of 24 hours each day! I love them!
Results: 1 through 10 out of 15 results← Previous PageNext page →Frequently Asked Questions
What causes an overbite?
Overbites have several possible causes. Genetics can play a role, like if you were born with an oversized upper jaw, an undersized lower jaw, or teeth that come in crooked. However, habits like excessive nail-biting, tongue thrusting, or chewing on objects like pens can cause it as well. Children who suck their thumbs or use pacifiers past age three are also at risk.
What problems can overbites cause?
Mild overbites rarely cause any problems or require serious medical attention. But more significant ones can cause jaw pain, discomfort while eating, earaches, headaches, and speech impediments. An overbite can also cause uneven wear on your teeth and gums, eventually leading to tissue damage, tooth decay, periodontal disease, and possibly tooth loss.
When should I be concerned about an overbite?
A minor overbite probably won’t have any effect on your daily activities, but if yours causes jaw pain or stiffness, discomfort when eating or speaking, or other symptoms, visit your dentist or orthodontist.
Can you fix an overbite without surgery?
Yes, but it depends on the case. Orthodontic treatments like braces and clear aligners can correct certain jaw misalignments, including overbites, but they might not be able to handle severe cases. If orthodontic treatment isn’t an option, your dentist might recommend surgery.
What happens if you leave an overbite untreated?
If you don’t correct a severe overbite, it can cause uneven wear on your teeth and gums. Over time, that can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and even obstructive sleep apnea.
Are braces or Invisalign better for overbite?
Both can effectively correct many cases of overbite, so it comes down to your specific case and preferences. Braces are sturdy, durable, and always on your teeth, while Invisalign is less noticeable, but comes with more personal responsibility. No matter which you choose, your dentist or orthodontist might enhance them with orthodontic attachments or appliances.
How long does it take Invisalign to correct an overbite?
It depends almost entirely on the severity of your overbite. Mild cases caused by dental misalignments might just take a few months, while more significant jaw corrections can take two years. However, most cases fall somewhere in the middle, around 12–18 months.
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