Overbite is a common problem for children, but fortunately, it can be corrected through orthodontic treatment. One option for mild to moderate overbite in children is Invisalign, a brand of virtually invisible clear plastic aligners.
The Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry office in Scottsdale, Arizona, is an authorized provider of Invisalign treatment for overbite correction and other orthodontic treatments. To learn more about Invisalign treatment as an alternative to traditional braces for overbite correction and to set up an appointment for your child with one of our pediatric dentists and orthodontists, call us at (480) 422-4544.
What are Overbite Causes and Symptoms?
In a normal, healthy bite, your upper front teeth cover your lower front teeth by a small margin. This slight overbite or protrusion enables your front teeth to cut food.
Overbite is the term dentists use to refer to a malocclusion of the front teeth, usually reflected by an overlapping gap of more than two to four millimeters( what is considered a normal overbite).
Overbite or protruding teeth take two forms:
- Vertical overbite: in this variation, the top front teeth overlap the lower teeth more than they should with a healthy bite. This is also known as a “deep bite.”
- Horizontal overbite: this kind of overbite, also known as an overjet or “buck teeth,” happens when the upper front teeth tip forward beyond the lower front teeth.
An overbite condition can be mild, moderate, or severe. Invisalign treatment for overbite is most effective for mild to moderate overbites.
verbite Causes
Overbite can come from genetic causes affecting your child’s jaw shape or teeth alignment. Other overbite causes include:
- Excessive nail biting
- Teeth grinding
- Pushing the tongue against the front teeth
- Thumb-sucking or pacifier use that persists past the age of three years
Overbite Symptoms
A mild overbite does not always require treatment. But the worse the overbite, the more likely it can lead to other problems that, if left untreated, can cause more serious problems. These problems include:
- Excessive tooth enamel wear
- Chipping or fracturing of the front teeth
- Difficulty chewing
- Jaw pain, headaches or temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders
- Speech impediments
- Gum recession
- Bone loss
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms because of an overbite, it is a good idea to fix overbites sooner rather than later.
Can Invisalign Fix An Overbite?
Although Invisalign treatment is effective for most overbite conditions, it may only be partially effective for severe overbite cases. For these more severe cases, other available overbite treatment methods include traditional braces or even overbite correction surgery.
Your child’s pediatric dentist can diagnose the extent of an overbite in your child and recommend the best treatment for severe overbite.
How Does Invisalign Fix an Overbite?
Invisalign treatment consists of a customized treatment plan that can sometimes last for six months or up to three years.
Your child’s unique Invisalign treatment begins with a free initial consultation appointment at our Scottsdale office. During this consultation, we will thoroughly scan your child’s mouth and teeth using the iTero Element® scanner, which takes 6,000 images every second to create a comprehensive map of the mouth and jaws.
Next, we use Invisalign’s ClinCheck® software to turn the electronic data from the iTero Element scan into a three-dimensional model of your child’s mouth and jaws. Based on this highly detailed model, we use treatment planning software to prepare a customized treatment plan.
Your child will wear each Invisalign aligner for a few weeks as the teeth slowly shift to their new positions. Each aligner must be worn for about 20 to 22 hours a day; they should only be removed when eating, brushing, flossing, or cleaning the aligner.
Your child will receive a succession of Invisalign clear plastic aligners throughout treatment. Each aligner will be slightly different than the one before it, and will be formed to pick up where the prior aligner left off.
During Invisalign treatment, we will have your child return to our offices so we can check on treatment progress, issue the next set of aligner trays, and answer any questions you may have.
What Are The Benefits Of Choosing Invisalign For Correcting An Overbite?
For many kinds of orthodontic issues, Invisalign treatment is popular with patients as an alternative to braces for three main reasons:
- Invisalign Aligners Are Virtually Invisible
Although they are not completely invisible, Invisalign aligners are inconspicuous when worn compared to traditional braces that use metal brackets. Invisalign aligners are an exciting option for children who would otherwise feel self-conscious and socially awkward wearing regular braces.
- Invisalign Aligners Are Removable
Once applied, braces can only be safely removed by an orthodontist. This can make it harder to keep teeth clean by brushing and flossing and can lead to teeth staining and uneven coloration. Once braces are removed, a professional cleaning and tooth whitening procedure is often necessary to make teeth uniformly white again.
Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners are easily removable by the patient. This makes it much easier to keep teeth clean and to apply over-the-counter tooth whitening products. Invisalign also does not require an “off-limits” food or beverage list.
- Invisalign Aligners Are Comfortable to Wear
Traditional braces can be uncomfortable. When something goes wrong with metal braces, like a broken archwire or a broken bracket, they can even become painful until you go to the orthodontist to fix them. Having no wires or brackets eliminates this potential for pain.
Invisalign for Overbite in Younger Patients
Invisalign treatment for overbite correction uses the Invisalign Mandibular for children 12 years or younger. These aligners have plastic wings attached to them, which help correct posture in the lower jaw.
Another technique that can be used with Invisalign is wearing elastics. Similar to the rubber bands worn with traditional braces, the elastics gradually move the bottom teeth forward while moving the upper teeth back.
What Affects How Well Invisalign Works for Overbites?
One of the main advantages of Invisalign treatment – the removability of the aligner trays – also means that you and your child must use them diligently and consistently for them to be optimally effective.
Below are some of the responsibilities your child will have to ensure he or she gets the best results from using Invisalign.
Invisalign Aligners Must be Worn for the Recommended Time
If your child is not wearing clear aligners for the recommended duration of 20 to 22 hours per day, the treatment plan will not keep up with where it needs to be. This can cause problems that will require revisiting the treatment plan, delaying your results and possibly increasing the cost of treatment.
Invisalign Aligners Require Proper Care When Removed
Another potential problem with using Invisalign aligners is that if they are not kept clean or your child does not remove them when eating or drinking a beverage other than water, they can become stained or damaged.
- Staining can happen when drinking beverages like dark-colored fruit juices, soft drinks, or coffee while wearing clear aligners or if the aligners are put back in after drinking them without first brushing the teeth.
- Because Invisalign aligner trays are made of plastic, cleaning them with too hot water can cause them to warp out of shape.
- If your child does not practice good dental hygiene when using Invisalign, the aligners can rub food particles against the teeth and gums, contributing to tooth decay and periodontal health problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Can Invisalign Fix Other Bite Problems?
Aside from overbites, Invisalign is also effective in correcting open bites, underbites, and crossbites.
Where Can I Find an Invisalign Orthodontist Near Me in Phoenix or Scottsdale?
At Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry, our orthodontists are authorized Invisalign dentists trained to use Invisalign diagnostic equipment, such as the iTero Element scanner and ClinCheck software, to determine whether your child is a candidate for Invisalign treatment and create a customized teeth straightening and smile recovery plan just for your child.
The first consultation with an experienced Invisalign doctor is free.
If Invisalign treatment is right for your child, call us today at (480) 422-4544 or reach out to us online.
We can also answer any questions about the cost of Invisalign clear aligners, including dental insurance options or other payment options, including financing with no initial payment and a monthly payment plan.
