Understanding Overbite Treatment in Los Angeles
Do you have an overbite? You're not alone. An overbite is one of the most common orthodontic problems, where the upper teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth. While many think it's only a cosmetic issue, an untreated overbite can lead to serious dental health concerns like jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and wear on your teeth.
At Textbook Orthodontics in Los Angeles, we specialize in correcting overbites in children, teens, and adults. Whether your overbite is mild or severe, our expert orthodontist can help you understand the cause and choose the right treatment plan to improve your bite and smile.
Overbite vs. Overjet – What's the Difference?
When it comes to dental misalignments, many people confuse the terms overbite and overjet. While they may seem similar, they refer to different bite problems—both of which can lead to serious dental health issues if left untreated.
At Textbook Orthodontics in Los Angeles, we help patients understand these differences so they can get the right treatment for a healthier, straighter smile.
What Is an Overbite?
An overbite refers to the vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth. A normal overbite usually shows about 2–3 mm of vertical overlap (roughly 20–25%). When the upper teeth cover more than 6 mm of the lower teeth, it’s considered a deep overbite, which can cause problems like:
Jaw pain
Difficulty chewing
Worn-down teeth
Speech problems
What Is an Overjet?
An overjet is the horizontal distance between your top and bottom front teeth. When the upper teeth stick out too far in front of the lower teeth, it’s often called “buck teeth” (a non-technical term). A normal overjet is around 2–2.5 mm, but anything larger may require orthodontic treatment to correct the alignment and prevent complications.
Edge-to-Edge Bite
If there is no overbite and no overjet—meaning the top and bottom front teeth meet edge to edge—it’s called an edge-to-edge bite. While it might seem balanced, this bite pattern can cause chipping, wear, or discomfort over time.
Skeletal vs. Dental Overbites
Overbites are generally classified into two types:
Skeletal overbite – Caused by jawbone growth or development issues, often linked to habits like prolonged thumb sucking.
Dental overbite – Caused by the position or alignment of the teeth, usually the upper front teeth.
Determining which type you have is crucial for creating the most effective treatment plan.
Why Overbite and Overjet Correction Matters
Untreated overbites and overjets can increase your risk of:
Crooked teeth
Tooth decay
Gum disease (periodontitis)
Difficulty speaking or eating
Chronic jaw pain and headaches
If you notice your upper teeth protrude too far over or ahead of your lower teeth, it’s time to see an experienced Los Angeles orthodontist.
Signs and Symptoms of an Overbite
Recognizing the signs of an overbite early can lead to easier, more effective treatment. Some common symptoms of an overbite include:
The upper front teeth overlapping the lower front teeth
More than 50% of the lower teeth being hidden by the upper teeth, even in young children
Teeth that appear crooked or crowded
A bite that feels off or uncomfortable when chewing
Even if baby teeth are still present, these early signs can point to a developing overbite. Identifying and addressing the issue early—especially in children—can prevent more serious dental problems in the future.
Health Problems Caused by an Untreated Overbite
Leaving an overbite untreated can lead to a variety of oral health issues and even affect your overall well-being. When the bite is misaligned, it can place stress on the jaw joint and surrounding teeth, leading to long-term damage.
Here are some potential complications of an untreated overbite:
Jaw pain and discomfort
TMJ disorders (TMD) – caused by pressure on the jaw joint from improper bite alignment
Tooth grinding or clenching (bruxism) – leading to worn-down, chipped, or sensitive teeth
Facial pain and headaches – due to strain on the muscles and joints in the jaw
Speech difficulties – especially with certain sounds, like “s” and “t,” due to misaligned teeth
Increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease – overlapping teeth can make it hard to clean properly
Low self-esteem or lack of confidence – due to the appearance of the teeth and jaw
Deep overbites, in particular, are often linked to TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders), which can cause chronic pain and impact daily life. In many cases, the lower front teeth become crowded or chipped over time due to the pressure from the upper teeth.
Treatment Methods to Fix an Overbite
When it comes to overbite correction, there are a variety of options available. Such as braces and Invisalign, and accessory appliances such as palatal expanders, Herbst or MARA, Activators, Bionators and many others. The orthodontist will discuss the cause of your overbite and overjet and treat it accordingly.
It’s typically not difficult for a trained orthodontist to treat an overbite when it is mild to moderate. Jaw surgery may also be used in more extreme cases, especially in adult teeth and jaws, or when other orthodontic treatments have been unsuccessful to fix an overbite. A removable retainer can also be employed with the goal of slowly moving teeth back into their correct positions.
Once treatment for an overbite has concluded, many people find that wearing retainers is necessary in order to prevent their teeth from shifting out of place again. Retainers help ensure long term stability after corrective measures have taken place by holding the newly aligned position securely of permanent teeth until they become stabilized naturally.
Using retainers post correction should always be discussed thoroughly between patients and dentists alike before making any decisions about future care plans regarding your teeth alignment maintenance.
Braces and Invisalign Clear Aligners
Braces and orthodontic appliances are a reliable method to treat minor overbite to severe to a full correction, moreso during childhood and adolescence than for adults. We can correct even extreme overbite and overjet in youngsters, but in adults a complete correction is more difficult.
This approach works by rearranging the teeth for correct alignment, modifying the upper jaw in position as well as supporting with special rubber bands or devices designed to move forward the lower jaw in the proper position in order to address this issue. It can also involve extractions of upper permanent teeth in the case of extreme overjet, when the esthetics of this alternative is favorable. Sometimes, surgical orthodontics (jaw surgery combined with braces) is the best option.
Clear braces offer an invisible solution when compared with traditional metal types, while still serving its purpose of correcting overbites successfully. Speaking it can take between one year and two years until completion combined with costs varying from $1,800 up to $7000 dollars depending on certain circumstances which could involve using elastic bands alongside their respective appliance for better effectiveness moving forward with fixing this problem on your lower jaw region.
For those with slight overbite to moderate overbite cases, Invisalign clear aligners are an innovative orthodontic treatment solution. Thanks to advancements such as the Mandibular Advancement feature, these braces offer a versatile option for correcting bite problems. Invisible in most situations, cleaning and removal is easy making them ideal especially for school-aged wearers who might become targets of bullying when seen wearing metal brackets and wires. Costing between $2,650-$7000 it’s important not to rely on mail order forms of this type of an orthodontic treatment appliance which can lead to subpar outcomes or even dental injury due to their lack of expertise during fitting and ongoing monitoring.
Surgical Intervention
Skeletal overbites can be severe issues of irregular jawbone development and are usually accompanied by severe deep bite (excessive overbite) In order to fix severe overbites and overjet, especially when the entire growth period was accompanied by bad habits such as mouth breathing, thumb sucking and lip traps, jaw surgery, may be required.
This type of procedure involves realigning the jaw bones in combination with other orthodontic treatments both before and after the operation. These steps guarantee improved alignment of teeth for a successful result. Patients are asked to stay overnight at hospital following this kind of treatment as well as taking 2-4 weeks off school or work during recovery time period afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes an overbite?
An overbite can be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In many cases, it's inherited through family traits, but certain habits during childhood can also play a big role in developing an overbite. These habits include:
Thumb sucking
Extended pacifier use
Nail biting
A lip trap (where the lower lip gets caught behind the upper teeth)
Tongue thrust or speech issues
These behaviors can impact the way the jaw grows, especially during early development, potentially leading to a severe overbite or other bite problems.
How is an overbite fixed?
The best way to correct an overbite depends on the severity and cause. Common treatment options include:
Braces with rubber bands – gradually align the teeth and jaws
Bite pads or bite blocks – small acrylic or bonded materials placed to help guide jaw movement
Clear aligners like Invisalign – a discreet, effective alternative to metal braces for mild to moderate overbites
Orthodontic appliances – such as expanders or Herbst appliances to encourage proper jaw development
Jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) – recommended for severe skeletal overbites or extreme overjets in adults
A consultation with an orthodontist is essential to determine the right treatment plan for your overbite, especially if you're seeking fast results or want to prioritize appearance.
Can an overbite fix itself?
No, an overbite will not correct itself over time. Whether the issue is dental (teeth misalignment) or skeletal (jaw misalignment), professional orthodontic treatment is needed. Without intervention, overbites can worsen and lead to other problems such as jaw pain, tooth wear, and speech issues.
Even mild cases should be evaluated by an orthodontist to prevent long-term complications.
What is an overbite?
An overbite is a type of dental malocclusion where the upper front teeth extend too far over the lower front teeth. While a small overbite is normal, an excessive overbite can cause:
Jaw discomfort or TMJ problems
Difficulty chewing or speaking
Tooth damage or gum recession
Cosmetic concerns