An overbite is when your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth more than they should — usually more than about 2 to 4 millimeters of vertical overlap. A small overbite is normal and healthy; a deep one can cause worn teeth, jaw strain, and gum irritation. Orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners corrects it by repositioning the teeth and, in growing children, guiding jaw development.
At Solana Orthodontics, Dr. Sandra Nairooz evaluates the whole picture — teeth, bite, and jaw — for every Solana family member, because a healthy bite is about function, not just appearance.
What causes an overbite?
- Genetics: jaw size and shape are often inherited.
- Childhood habits: prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use can push teeth out of position.
- Missing or crowded teeth that let others drift.
- Tongue thrusting or other muscle habits.
Is an overbite a problem?
A slight overbite is completely normal. A deep or excessive overbite, though, can lead to real issues over time:
- Accelerated wear on the lower front teeth.
- Jaw pain or strain, sometimes contributing to TMJ symptoms.
- Gum irritation where lower teeth contact the palate.
- Difficulty fully cleaning crowded areas.
How is an overbite different from an overjet?
People often mix these up. An overbite is vertical — how much the top teeth cover the bottom teeth. An overjet is horizontal — how far the top teeth stick out in front of the bottom teeth (sometimes called “buck teeth”). Treatment can address both.
How do orthodontists fix an overbite?
Treatment depends on age and severity:
- Braces or clear aligners reposition the teeth and correct the bite.
- Elastics help coordinate the upper and lower jaws.
- Growth guidance in children can steer jaw development while it’s still easy to influence — one reason early evaluation matters.
- Surgery is reserved for severe skeletal cases in adults.
In our practice we often find that overbites treated early in childhood are simpler to correct. As a board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Sandra tailors the approach to each bite. If you or your child has a deep bite, our team of experts at Solana Orthodontics in San Antonio can evaluate it and explain your options, whether that’s clear aligners or braces.
What are the different types of overbite?
“Overbite” is often used loosely, but orthodontists distinguish a few things. A dental overbite comes from the position of the teeth themselves, while a skeletal overbite stems from how the jaws are sized or positioned relative to each other. There’s also the distinction between a deep bite (excess vertical overlap, where upper teeth cover too much of the lowers) and an open bite (where the front teeth don’t meet at all). Identifying which type you have is essential, because a dental overbite is corrected differently than a skeletal one, and treatment for a growing child differs from treatment for an adult.
How is an overbite diagnosed?
Diagnosis goes beyond a quick look. At a consultation we examine how your teeth fit together, take digital scans or images, and often use X-rays or 3D imaging to see the jaw relationship and tooth roots. This tells us whether the overbite is dental or skeletal, how deep it is, and what’s driving it — information that shapes the entire treatment plan. In our practice we often find that a careful diagnosis reveals contributing factors, like a narrow arch or a habit, that a surface exam would miss.
How is an overbite treated at different ages?
Treatment is highly age-dependent:
- Children: because the jaws are still growing, we can guide development with growth-modifying appliances, sometimes preventing a skeletal problem from fully forming.
- Teens: braces or clear aligners with elastics correct most overbites efficiently while some growth may still help.
- Adults: braces or aligners reposition the teeth and bite; significant skeletal overbites may require a combined orthodontic-and-surgical approach.
This is a major reason the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7 — early detection widens the treatment options.
What happens if an overbite is left untreated?
A mild overbite may never cause trouble, but a deep or excessive one tends to worsen and can lead to real problems over time: accelerated wear on the lower teeth, chipping, gum recession or irritation where lower teeth strike the palate, jaw strain that can feed into TMJ discomfort, and difficulty keeping crowded areas clean. Addressing an overbite isn’t only cosmetic — it protects the long-term health and function of your teeth and jaw. The earlier it’s evaluated, the simpler the fix usually is.
Can you fix an overbite naturally at home?
No. Despite what you may see online, there’s no safe way to correct an overbite with DIY methods, exercises, or mail-order gadgets — attempting to move teeth without professional supervision can damage roots, gums, and your bite. A true overbite involves the position of teeth and often the jaws, which requires the controlled forces of braces or professionally planned aligners. As a board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Sandra Nairooz can correct it safely and predictably, and she’ll be honest about what your specific case needs.
What are the overbite treatment options in detail?
The right tool depends on the type and severity of your overbite:
- Braces: highly effective for correcting overbites, often paired with elastics to coordinate the upper and lower jaws.
- Clear aligners: excellent for many mild to moderate overbites, using precise, planned movements and sometimes attachments.
- Growth appliances (children): devices that guide jaw development while a child is still growing, addressing the root of a skeletal overbite.
- Orthognathic surgery: reserved for severe skeletal overbites in adults, combined with orthodontics for a stable result.
In many cases, more than one approach could work, and the best plan balances effectiveness, aesthetics, and your lifestyle.
How long does it take to fix an overbite?
Timelines vary widely with the severity and type. A mild dental overbite might improve within several months to a year, while a moderate case commonly falls in the 1-to-2-year range, similar to comprehensive braces or aligner treatment. Skeletal overbites, especially those needing growth guidance or surgery, can take longer and are often staged. At your consultation we’ll give you a realistic estimate based on your specific bite, and we’ll explain what’s shaping the timeline so there are no surprises.
Why choosing a board-certified orthodontist matters for overbite
Correcting an overbite is about function as much as appearance — done poorly, treatment can straighten front teeth while leaving the bite unhealthy. As a board-certified orthodontist and diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Sandra Nairooz has years of specialized training in exactly these jaw-and-bite relationships. That expertise means your overbite is corrected in a way that protects your teeth, jaw joints, and long-term comfort, not just your smile in photos. It’s the difference between teeth that look straight and a bite that truly works.
Overbite and long-term jaw health
A deep overbite doesn’t just affect the teeth — it can influence the jaw joints and muscles over time. When the front teeth overlap excessively, the jaw may be guided into a position that strains the temporomandibular joints, contributing to the muscle tension, clicking, or discomfort associated with TMJ problems in some patients. Correcting the overbite allows the jaw to close in a more balanced position, which can relieve that strain. This connection between bite and jaw health is one reason an orthodontist evaluates far more than how straight the front teeth look — the goal is a bite that functions comfortably for decades.
Living with an overbite before treatment
If you’re waiting to begin treatment, a few habits can protect your teeth in the meantime: avoid biting hard objects with your front teeth, address any grinding with a night guard, and keep up meticulous hygiene where lower teeth may contact the palate or gums. These steps don’t fix the overbite, but they reduce wear and irritation until treatment corrects the underlying issue. When you’re ready, our team of experts at Solana Orthodontics will map out the plan that resolves the overbite for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Invisalign fix an overbite?
Yes, aligners can correct many overbites, especially mild to moderate ones. Severe or skeletal cases may need braces or additional treatment — a consultation determines the best route.
Is it too late to fix an overbite as an adult?
Not at all. Adults correct overbites successfully with braces or aligners; the difference is that jaw growth can’t be guided, so treatment focuses on the teeth and bite.
Does an overbite need to be treated?
A mild overbite may not. A deep overbite that causes wear, pain, or gum problems should be evaluated, because those issues tend to worsen over time.