Malocclusion, the technical term for misaligned teeth or an improper bite, is a common issue prompting people to seek orthodontic care. An overbite, where the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth excessively, is one of the most frequently corrected malocclusions. This misalignment is not just a cosmetic concern; it can lead to problems with chewing, uneven tooth wear, and jaw discomfort. Orthodontic treatment, primarily involving fixed braces, is highly effective for repositioning teeth and correcting this vertical overlap. Whether braces can fix an overbite depends significantly on the underlying cause and severity.
Understanding the Types of Overbites
An overbite is technically defined as an excessive vertical overlap of the upper teeth over the lower teeth when the back teeth are closed. While a slight overlap of about one to two millimeters is considered normal and healthy, anything beyond this range is classified as a deep bite. The effectiveness of treatment relies heavily on diagnosing the origin of this excessive overlap.
The two principal categories are the dental overbite and the skeletal overbite. A dental overbite means the jaw structure is correctly aligned, but the front teeth themselves have over-erupted or are positioned incorrectly. This is generally the easier type to correct, as the issue is confined to the movement of individual teeth.
A skeletal overbite, conversely, stems from a discrepancy in the size or position of the jawbones. This occurs when the upper jaw (maxilla) is too far forward or the lower jaw (mandible) is underdeveloped or positioned too far back. Treating this type of overbite often requires more complex interventions because the problem lies in the foundation of the bite, not just the teeth.
The Mechanism of Correction Using Braces
Traditional fixed braces correct a deep overbite by using specific forces to achieve vertical tooth movement. The core strategy involves two reciprocal movements: intrusion and extrusion. Intrusion is the process of gently pushing the upper or lower front teeth back into the jawbone, reducing their vertical height and decreasing the overlap.
This movement is balanced by extrusion, which involves bringing the back teeth (molars and premolars) slightly further out of the jawbone. As the back teeth are elongated, the jaw is naturally encouraged to rotate open slightly, which mechanically reduces the vertical overlap of the front teeth. Both movements must be carefully controlled to maintain the proper balance between the front and back of the mouth.
Orthodontists frequently use specialized archwires, such as the “reverse curve of Spee” wire, to execute this biomechanics. This wire is pre-bent with a gentle curve opposite to the natural curvature of the lower arch. When placed into the brackets, the wire attempts to straighten, simultaneously applying intrusive force to the front teeth and extrusive force to the back teeth. This dual action efficiently levels the dental arch.
In some cases, the goal is “true intrusion,” where only the front teeth are moved into the bone without extruding the back teeth. This highly controlled movement is achieved using specific archwire loops or specialized auxiliary springs attached to the brackets. The success of these mechanics relies on applying light, continuous forces over many months to allow for the biological remodeling of the bone surrounding the tooth roots.
Adjunct Treatments and Alternative Appliances
While fixed braces provide the primary force, complex overbites, especially those with a skeletal component, often require supplemental devices. Specialized interarch elastics, commonly known as rubber bands, are routinely used to apply targeted forces between the upper and lower teeth. These elastics connect to hooks on the brackets and exert a constant, gentle pull to move the upper teeth backward and the lower teeth forward, helping to correct the jaw relationship.
For growing patients, the orthodontist may use functional appliances like the Herbst or Forsus springs, which are cemented onto the teeth. These devices actively posture the lower jaw into a forward position, encouraging proper growth and development of the mandible to reduce the skeletal discrepancy. Because they leverage the patient’s natural growth, they are most effective during the adolescent years.
For adult patients requiring maximum non-surgical tooth movement, Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) may be utilized. These are small, biocompatible mini-screws placed temporarily into the jawbone to act as fixed anchor points. TADs allow the orthodontist to apply strong, precise forces to intrude or retract specific teeth without causing unwanted movement in other teeth.
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, can also correct mild to moderate overbites by incorporating features like bite ramps and elastics to achieve vertical correction. However, for severe skeletal overbites, or those involving significant jaw misalignment, orthognathic surgery (corrective jaw surgery) becomes necessary. The surgery repositions the jawbones to a more harmonious relationship, and braces are used both before and after the procedure to fine-tune the final tooth positions.
Duration, Age, and the Retention Phase
The total duration of overbite correction with braces is highly variable, but it typically ranges from 18 to 30 months. Mild dental overbites may be corrected in as little as 12 to 18 months, while severe cases, especially those requiring skeletal modification or extractions, can approach three years. The patient’s age is a significant factor in this timeline.
Children and adolescents benefit from having jaws that are still growing, allowing the orthodontist to influence and guide bone development, which can shorten the overall treatment time. Adult bone is denser and less pliable, meaning that only tooth movement is possible without surgery, which often results in a slower process. The most significant factor influencing treatment speed is patient compliance.
Consistent use of prescribed elastics or functional appliances is essential, as these devices provide the continuous force needed to shift the bite. Failure to wear elastics as instructed, usually for 20 to 22 hours per day, can significantly lengthen the treatment time and compromise the final result.
After the active phase of wearing braces is complete, the retention phase begins. Once the teeth and jaw are in their new positions, they are under constant biological pressure to return to their original placement, a phenomenon known as relapse. To counteract this, a retainer must be worn precisely as instructed, often full-time for the first several months, followed by nightly wear indefinitely. Stability of the corrected overbite depends entirely on this post-treatment maintenance.