When you smile, do your upper teeth stick out too far? Or does your lower jaw sit ahead of the upper? In everyday language these two situations go by different names. In English-language sources they are called overbite and underbite. Clear aligners can correct some of these, but not all. Let us explain clearly where the limit lies.
What do overbite and underbite mean?
An overbite is when the upper front teeth cover the lower teeth too much. It comes in two forms. The first is a deep bite: the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth too much. The second is the upper teeth tilting forward. Sometimes the two are seen together.
An underbite is the opposite. When you close your mouth, the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth. The lower jaw may be forward, or the upper jaw may be set back.
There is a critical distinction here: is the problem in the teeth or in the jaw? A mismatch related to the tilt of the teeth and a mismatch that comes from the bone structure are solved with different methods. Telling them apart is the dentist's job and requires an X-ray. For bite types, you can also look at the page on bite classes.
Dental or skeletal?
These two words are the ones that decide the treatment.
- Dental mismatch: The jaw bones fit each other, but the teeth are not in place. Moving the teeth is often enough.
- Skeletal mismatch: The upper and lower jaw bones do not match in size or position. The teeth can only compensate to a degree.
Two different causes can lead to the same appearance. In two people who look similar in the mirror, the treatment plan can be completely different. This is why looking at photos online and guessing your own situation is misleading.
What can clear aligners do?
In mild and moderate cases of dental origin, clear aligners are a promising option. For example:
- If the upper teeth tilt slightly forward, aligners can help bring them back.
- In a deep bite, movements can be planned to balance the height of the front teeth. The details are on the page about deep bite.
- If the lower teeth tilt slightly forward, it may be possible to bring the teeth into a proper alignment.
In some cases small helpers are added to the aligners: tooth-colored attachments or elastics. Elastics pull the upper and lower teeth toward each other and support correction of the bite. We have explained these helpers separately on the attachments page.
Where do the limits begin?
An aligner moves teeth; it does not make the jawbone larger or smaller. So in marked skeletal differences it may not be enough on its own. The dentist may suggest one of the following:
- For children still growing, appliances that guide jaw development. For this, there is information on the pages about a receding lower jaw and a protruding lower jaw.
- For adults, braces, or the use of an additional appliance together with aligners.
- For a marked bone difference, orthodontics planned together with jaw surgery.
When surgery comes up, there is no need to be afraid; it only comes into question in marked cases, and the dentist explains it to you with the reasons. The decision is not made in haste.
| Situation | What can clear aligners do? | What does the dentist evaluate? |
|---|---|---|
| Mild deep bite | Can be corrected with tooth movement in many people | Height of the front teeth, bite angle |
| Forward tilt of the upper teeth | A movement to bring the teeth back can be planned | Space, whether extraction is needed |
| Mild underbite | Correction can be attempted if it is of dental origin | Bone structure, jaw position |
| Marked skeletal difference | May remain limited on its own | Need for an additional appliance or surgery |
| Child who is still growing | Jaw development is usually guided first | Bone age, growth period |
What complaints do people come with?
Patients usually say things like these: when I smile, my upper teeth show too much; when I bite, my lower teeth almost hide my upper teeth; when I eat, my front teeth do not meet fully; my jaw seems to slide to one side. Each of these can point to a different cause. This is why the complaint and the inside of the mouth need to be evaluated together.
What is done at the examination?
The dentist first looks at your face and profile. Then they examine the inside of your mouth and your bite. If needed, they request a panoramic and a lateral profile X-ray. With these records they separate the dental and skeletal share. They tell you whether aligners are suitable for this, and if not, what the alternative is.
If aligners are suitable, the treatment plan is shown on screen. You see in what order the teeth will move and how the bite will change. At this stage it is important to talk openly with the dentist about your expectations. Someone whose jaw is markedly forward cannot change their facial profile with aligners; they can only correct the fit between the teeth. We covered the question of how much aligners can affect jaw structure separately on the jaw structure page.
Things to watch for during this process
- Wear the aligners for the recommended time. Following the wear schedule is especially important in bite corrections.
- If elastics are recommended, wear them regularly. Every day you skip can delay the plan.
- Go to your check-ups. Bite movements should be monitored often.
- Use retention at the end of treatment, otherwise the bite can return to how it was.
During aligner treatment there may be some feeling of pressure in the first days; this is normal and eases quickly in most people.
If you are curious about the planning details of the same subject from the Invisalign system's point of view, you can look at the planning side page.
This information is general; the treatment that suits you is decided after an examination.