Does Invisalign fix an overbite?

Does Invisalign fix an overbite?

Sometimes. Healthline says Invisalign is a brand of thin, clear plastic aligner made from a flexible thermoplastic called SmartTrack, and that overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite are listed as treatable by the manufacturer, but that aligners are best suited to mild and moderate cases. It cites a 2017 study suggesting they can help align the dental arches but may be less helpful for more severe bite problems, and says research is limited, with small samples and few control groups. Healthline's article on overbite treatments says clear aligners are best suited to minor to moderate cases because they do not apply steady enough pressure for severe overbites.

Can Invisalign fix an underbite?

The AAO says clear aligners suit mild underbites that tooth movement alone can correct, and that braces are often paired with elastics or other appliances to guide the jaw, with jaw surgery for significant skeletal discrepancies, usually in adults after growth finishes. For children, the AAO says a palatal expander with reverse-pull headgear can encourage the upper jaw to grow forward. So the answer depends on whether the underbite is dental or skeletal, which an orthodontist works out from an exam and X-rays.

When braces may be better

Healthline says complex spacing or bite problems may take longer to treat with aligners and may be less effective, and that bridgework can make Invisalign unsuitable. Its aligners-versus-braces article says aligners work best for less complicated malocclusion and for people without compliance concerns, while braces are the choice for complex cases, allow more precise control, and that aligners cannot move severely crowded or misaligned teeth and are not appropriate for teeth with short crowns.

Is Invisalign faster than braces?

Sources differ. Healthline's 2025 comparison says aligners take about 18 months for simple adjustments, while braces often take about 24 months. Healthline's 2021 article on braces duration says clear aligners were associated with shorter treatment in a 2019 study, but those patients had less severe issues, and that bite problems such as open bites, deep bites, underbites and crossbites take longer to treat. Healthline's Invisalign article gives no typical total duration and says complex cases take longer. Aligners also depend on wear: you must wear them 20 to 22 hours a day, so skipping wear delays progress.

Are traditional braces faster than Invisalign?

For simple cases, Healthline's comparison suggests aligners may be quicker, and for complex cases braces may be needed. Cleveland Clinic says braces take about two years on average, from under one year to three, and that adults may take longer. A time estimate for you depends on your plan, so ask your orthodontist to compare the two options for your bite.

How to remove Invisalign

Healthline says to remove aligners only to eat or drink, brush or floss, or clean them, and that very hot water can warp the plastic. The sources we read do not describe the technique for taking them out, so ask your orthodontist to show you, and do not pull hard on one end, which can damage the tray or your teeth.

Aligners and braces: drawbacks to know

Healthline lists tooth soreness when aligners are out, bacteria build-up and possible cavities if food or drink gets trapped inside, staining of aligners and teeth from liquids, and the need for consistent wear. Braces have their own issues, including broken brackets. Either way, a retainer is typically needed afterwards, as Cleveland Clinic says.

Questions to ask your orthodontist

Ask for a plan that compares options for your own bite.

• Is my overbite or underbite dental, skeletal or both?
• Are aligners suitable for my case, or would braces be better?
• How long should treatment take with each option?
• What will I need to do daily, and what happens if I cannot wear them enough?
• What happens afterwards, and how long will I wear a retainer?

Frequently asked questions