Does Invisalign work for overbites?

Does Invisalign work for overbites?

Cleveland Clinic says clear aligners treat crowded or crooked teeth and some mild to moderate malocclusion, meaning the upper and lower teeth do not line up when the mouth closes, and that they are not an option for everyone. It does not mention overbite or gaps specifically, and says your orthodontist decides whether you are a candidate. Healthline lists overbite as a cause of malocclusion but does not say which device handles it better. Our existing guide on whether Invisalign fixes an overbite covers the overbite question in more detail.

How does Invisalign work to move teeth?

Cleveland Clinic says aligners are custom-made plastic trays that gently move teeth, much like braces. The orthodontist maps the planned movements from digital images and dental molds, and lab technicians make each device. You get a new aligner about every two weeks, and each shifts the teeth a little further. Small attachments bonded to some teeth help the aligners grip and move them. Healthline says each tray is used for about one week, so the change interval differs between sources.

Does Invisalign work faster than braces?

The sources disagree. Healthline says aligners may have a relatively short treatment time, about 18 months, for simple adjustments, while braces typically take longer, about 24 months. Cleveland Clinic says braces are often faster and may correct dental problems more quickly, so aligner treatment may need more time and more trays to reach similar results, though neither is a quick fix, and that treatment can take up to nine months for a few slightly crooked teeth and longer for more serious issues. The difference is probably about how complex the case is, which is our reading.

Do aligners work as well as braces?

Healthline says braces allow more precise control and are the usual choice for complex cases, may give more long-term stability, and can use added components such as expanders or spacers, while aligners handle less complicated malocclusion and cannot move severely crowded or misaligned teeth or teeth with short crowns. Cleveland Clinic says braces are often faster, and that aligners involve fewer dietary restrictions and less special oral hygiene. For an overbite, a more complex bite problem may point to braces, which is general reasoning and flagged.

Can you sleep with Invisalign?

Neither source addresses sleeping directly. Cleveland Clinic says to wear aligners 22 to 23 hours a day, removing them only for meals and for brushing and flossing, and Healthline says at least 22 hours a day, so they are meant to be worn overnight too. Our guide on whether you can drink with Invisalign covers drinking.

How many hours a day do you wear aligners?

Cleveland Clinic says 22 to 23 hours; Healthline says at least 22 hours. They agree, and the wording differs only slightly. Aligners work only if worn as directed, and Cleveland Clinic says they require discipline, with safe storage when out.

What are the downsides?

Cleveland Clinic says to expect pressure or soreness, especially with each new aligner, which usually eases within a few days, and to contact your orthodontist for sharp pain, pain lasting more than a few days, bleeding or swollen gums, or a loose or poorly fitting tray. Healthline says sugary or carbonated drinks can get trapped against the teeth, and results depend on daily wear.

Does Invisalign cost less than braces?

The sources we read do not give prices, and neither does this page. Our Invisalign cost page explains what a quote should include. Ask for a written estimate that says how many trays, any refinements and retainers are included.

Questions to ask your orthodontist

Take these to your consultation.

• Is my overbite suitable for aligners, or is it a braces case?
• How long do you expect treatment to take?
• Will I need attachments or elastics?
• What happens if my teeth do not move as planned?
• What retainers will I need afterwards?

Frequently asked questions