Braces Vs. Invisalign for Overbite/overjet

Question

I am 21 years old and in college and have never worn braces before but have a big overbite and overjet. Based on these pictures, do you think I could benefit from braces? If so, is it possible to tell what kind of treatment I would be looking at? Would I be able to wear invisalign or do I probably need regular braces?

Scott LeSueur, DDS · Answer

Invisalign is definitely possible, but is it the ideal?  A consult with and Invisalign provider with him submiting a proposal called a clincheck would give you some good answers on time and difficulty.  If it is too difficult then do traditional.  You might want more the one opinion too.

Daniel Noor, DMD, PC · Answer

Generally speaking, overbites are difficult to treat using any types of orthodontics especially in adults. Time and patience are needed simply because we are intruding anterior teeth (pushing front teeth back into dense bone) and extruding posterior teeth (pulling back teeth out of the bone) &ndash; Furthermore, not all overbite cases are simple teeth problems and could be of skeletal problems as well which refer to irregular amount and angulation of skeletal bone.  We take digital panoramic and cephalometric x-rays to determine much info before starting treatment.
	
	What I have found when treating overbite cases with invisalign is as follows:  Typically, the results we see on invisalign computer modeling called clincheck, looks better with more of the overbite gone by the end of treatment.  Although this seems to be a bad thing, we have learned over the years and thousands of cases that in order to battle this issue, we perform what is called an over-correction.  Basically, if we want to reduce 50 to 60% overbite which seems to be the case here, we NOT only reduce overbite to ideal on the computer model but we continue ordering more aligners beyond ideal final results and purposely create a virtual open bite of about 1mm on the computer model.  More happens in clincheck and less in the mouth so we will still end up where we want and we simply stop treatment once ideal overbite has been achieved!
	
	Keep in mind the key to successful orthodontic treatment is anchorage and compliance. Anchorage comes from tiny little composite resin buttons called attachments.  We at our office place good number of both facial and lingual attachments to insure proper anchorage especially in overbite cases.  Patient compliance and wear is very important in achieving successful results.
	
	Also from your photos, it seems you have what is called a class II bite meaning uppers are more forward than they should be.  We use tiny invisible circular elastics just as used in braces to pull uppers back and lowers forward into ideal class I bite.
	
	Proper diagnosis and treatment planning along with great attachments and use of elastics and great compliance on your part will give you ideal results with invisalign.  If you think, you will not wear aligners properly, you may as well go for braces which would require much less compliance on part of the patient.
	
	The clincheck computer modeling below is an example of how overbite is corrected. Please note overbite video.
	
	***Online Answers should NEVER be substituted for a complete clinical exam and following advice of your treating doctors based on proper and full diagnosis and treatment planning.   There is no way anyone can properly diagnose and treatment plan a patient online without an in office exam.

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

My suggestion would be to make an appointment with an invisalign provider who has lots of experience and have him work the case up with invisalign to determine if that would be the best way to address your needs.  It certainly looks like you would be a good candidate but I would get multiple recommendations .

Lawrence Singer, DMD (in memoriam) · Answer

You have a gummy smile which I think is bothering you more than the overjet or the overbite.  Braces would fix this.  Find a clinician who will do this treatment without any extractions.  DO not extract any teeth.  You would do really well with conventional braces and TADs (temporary anchorage devices)  they would move the teeth quickly accurately and get a good result.  Invisalign would get some result too, but if you were my relative I would go with convdntional clear braces with TADs.

Braces Vs. Invisalign for Overbite/overjet

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Answer: Braces Vs. Invisalign

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Braces Vs. Invisalign for Overbite/overjet

Answers (4)

Answer: Braces Vs. Invisalign

Answer: Braces Vs. Invisalign

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