Did you know that 70% of the population has an overbite? This is a common condition we can treat in a variety of ways in our office. At Scott Edwards DDS, we can correct overbites and neatly align teeth with Invisalign clear aligners. If you or your child have been dealing with the symptoms of an overbite, our expert team can help! Let’s examine how this innovative system can change your smile without disrupting your life.
What Is An Overbite?
Let’s start with the basics. An overbite is when your upper teeth come too far over the lower teeth. When a deep overbite is present, the lower teeth recede so far behind the upper teeth that they bite into the roof of the mouth. Overbites are bad for your teeth and jaw joints and can impact the shape and appearance of your face.
There are two primary types of overbites. With a vertical overbite, the top teeth overlap the lower teeth more than average. The top front teeth stick out in front of the lower teeth in a horizontal overbite. Each type can have several possible causes. Overbites can be hereditary or stem from bad oral habits in childhood, like tongue thrusting, nail-biting, and prolonged pacifier use or thumb sucking. Most jaw growth happens early, meaning bad habits can lead to uneven development.
Overbites can range from minor to severe. We often describe this condition in terms of percentage. For example, a small percentage of overbite is common and won’t necessarily require correction. A more significant percentage tends to cause oral health and cosmetic issues, which we can address with dental treatment.
Benefits of Treating an Overbite with Invisalign
Besides improving your smile’s overall appearance, correcting an overbite can notably improve many symptoms, including:
- Jaw pain
- Headaches
- Tooth grinding
- Mouth breathing
- Speech problems
- Irregular chewing or biting
- Gum disease and inflammation
- Excessive wear and tear on the tooth enamel
For a long time, traditional braces were the only option for treating an overbite. Some cases will still require the stability of braces, but we can often achieve the same results with Invisalign clear aligners!
Correcting an overbite with Invisalign can be a game-changer for many patients. It’s comfortable, convenient, and visually discreet. Since they’re removable, you can take them out before meals, which provides extra flexibility!
Your compliance as our patient is a big factor in how effective your Invisalign treatment will be. The system can only work if you follow the guidelines from Dr. Edwards. If you don’t wear your aligners for twenty to twenty-two hours per day during treatment, the results can be affected. It may even add time to the treatment process.
With Invisalign, your oral hygiene routine will be as easy as ever since you remove the aligners before eating or brushing your teeth. This means there are no food restrictions. You can eat everything you usually would during Invisalign treatment, as long as you brush after every meal and floss before bed.
Every patient is unique, so there’s no “one size fits all” answer for how long you will wear your clear aligners. The average time tends to be between twelve to twenty-four months, although this can vary widely depending on the individual case. Invisalign patients will typically have in-office visits with us every twelve weeks which limits time missing school or work. Our patients can also check in with us virtually with any questions/issues.
The Invisalign Treatment Process
Your first consultation with an experienced doctor is the first step in any dental journey. When you schedule a consultation with Dr. Edwards, she will perform a thorough examination of your teeth and jaws. If your overbite is a good candidate for Invisalign, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan just for you.
Our dental plan will consider your specific needs, preferences, and goals. It will also include all the movements we want your teeth to estimate how long we expect the treatment to take. We may even be able to give you a sneak peek of what your new smile will look like once treatment is complete.
After we’ve agreed on a treatment plan, we’ll begin designing your aligners using the 3D scan of your teeth and gums as our guide. Once the first set arrives from the lab, you’ll be on your way to the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted!
Get the best from Scott Edwards, DDS
Dr. Scott Edwards and Dr. Julia Prince have forty years of experience between them. They are committed to providing the highest caliber of dental care in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for your entire family’s oral health. We treat you like you would treat you. We give you all the knowledge you need to make your best oral hygiene decisions. For any questions or more tips on helping you take care of your teeth, give us a call or schedule an appointment at our East Memphis or Midtown offices today!