Does Invisalign Help with Overbites?

Yes! Invisalign is proven and effective in helping correct overbites. Recommended for adults and teens that have complete tooth and jaw development, Invisalign can correct a variety of orthodontic issues.

Invisalign is often viewed as only a cosmetic treatment. The fact is, though, that correcting your smile alignment can have benefits that extend beyond cosmetic value. That’s why Dr. Lance Timmerman of Tukwila, WA recommends Invisalign to promote improved dental health.

An overbite refers to when the top front teeth extend beyond their normal range. This usually means that they close down vertically too far over the front of the bottom teeth. It also can refer to the teeth flaring out too much from the smile line. This is known as horizontal overbite, or more specifically, an overjet (or “buck teeth.”)

There are varying degrees of overbite severity. Overbites could be developmental. They may also be due to some forceful habit during tooth development, such as finger or thumb-sucking. Whatever the extent and whatever the cause, one thing is certain: an overbite can make you very self-conscious!

What you may not have realized before is that an overbite can pose a threat to your oral health. How so? This unnatural positioning of the teeth can:

• Increase the risk of trauma to the upper front teeth
• Allow the bottom front teeth to harm the soft tissue on the roof of your mouth
• Cause difficulty eating and speaking
• Contribute to strain on your TMJ
• Abnormally wear down tooth enamel

Clearly, an overbite is beyond worth correcting!

Much like traditional braces, Invisalign can work wonders in correcting an overbite. Also like braces, however, Invisalign is only effective in proportion with the skill of the dentist. Who your orthodontic provider is makes a huge difference in the results that you will see.

Whether you are having treatment with an orthodontist or a cosmetic dentist, you need to be sure of the skill of your care provider. Ask to see before-and-after photos of patients who have been treated with Invisalign. Ask the dentist about how much success they’ve had in treating an overbite with Invisalign.

Your dentist should be highly qualified and have plenty of experience in order to deliver excellent results. Dr. Lance Timmerman meets the qualifications because of the extensive training, certification and education he’s pursued in regards to Invisalign orthodontic treatment.

It is possible to correct many overbite cases with Invisalign. Severe cases may need to be referred to a specialist for more involved orthodontic treatment. In some extreme cases, even braces aren’t enough and surgery is needed.

The good news is that Invisalign is making great strides in the technology that it uses to treat cases such as overbites. More and more significant situations are being corrected with the help of these invisible braces.

It’s important to note that Invisalign is not recommended for children who are still undergoing vital tooth and jaw development, but it has proven very effective for teens and adults.

If you live in the Seattle area and are worried about your overbite, contact the office of Dr. Lance Timmerman for more information on scheduling an Invisalign consultation.