An overbite, the excessive vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth, is a common malocclusion. Orthodontic treatment is highly effective for correction in adults, regardless of age. Modern techniques using braces and clear aligners successfully reposition teeth and harmonize the bite relationship. Adult treatment focuses on moving teeth within mature bone structures, requiring precise force application for lasting alignment. Success relies on diagnosing whether the issue stems from the teeth or the underlying jaw structure.
Understanding the Adult Overbite
An overbite is technically known as a deep bite, occurring when the vertical coverage of the lower teeth by the upper teeth exceeds the normal, functional range. Excessive vertical overlap is classified as a malocclusion, often associated with a Class II bite relationship. This condition should be distinguished from an overjet, which describes the horizontal protrusion of the upper front teeth.
Overbites are categorized as dental or skeletal. A dental overbite occurs when the jaw position is correct, but the teeth are misaligned due to issues like crowding or improper eruption. A skeletal overbite involves a discrepancy in jawbone size or position, typically a lower jaw that is too small or set back compared to the upper jaw. Correcting an excessive overbite is crucial because it reduces the risk of long-term problems, including abnormal wear on the front teeth, jaw joint discomfort, and soft tissue damage.
How Braces and Specific Appliances Achieve Correction
Orthodontic correction of a dental overbite in adults primarily involves carefully directed tooth movement to reduce the vertical overlap. Traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, or clear aligners serve as the foundation, applying continuous, light forces to guide teeth into new positions.
To address the vertical dimension, orthodontists employ intrusion, pushing the upper or lower front teeth deeper into the bone to reduce overlap. Conversely, mild extrusion may gently pull the back teeth out of the bone, slightly opening the bite from the rear. Moving the entire dental arch is often achieved using elastic bands, which connect brackets on the upper and lower teeth. These elastics apply continuous force, encouraging the upper teeth to move backward while urging the lower teeth to shift forward.
Specific auxiliary appliances enhance the correction of deep bites. Bite turbos (bite ramps) are small composite pads placed on the back surfaces of the upper front teeth or on the biting surfaces of the back teeth. These devices temporarily prevent the patient from fully biting down, which unlocks the bite and allows the teeth to move without interference. Spring mechanisms, such as Forsus Springs, provide a fixed, continuous force to move the lower jaw forward and the upper teeth backward more efficiently than elastics alone.
Addressing Severe Overbites and Skeletal Factors
The treatment approach for an adult overbite changes significantly when the issue is skeletal, meaning it is caused by a significant mismatch in jaw size. Unlike growing children, whose jaw growth can be guided by functional appliances, adult bone structure cannot be modified by braces alone. In these cases, the orthodontist must determine whether the skeletal problem can be camouflaged by maximum tooth movement or if a surgical intervention is necessary.
For moderate skeletal discrepancies, the orthodontist might choose to perform maximum dental compensation, or “camouflage,” by moving the teeth to align despite the underlying jaw position. This often requires advanced anchorage techniques, such as the use of Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs). TADs are small, temporary screws placed into the jawbone that act as fixed anchor points. They allow the application of greater force to move teeth more extensively than is possible with traditional braces and elastics.
When the skeletal discrepancy is severe, orthognathic surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, becomes the definitive solution. This procedure involves a maxillofacial surgeon physically repositioning one or both jaws to achieve proper alignment. Braces are used both before the surgery to align the teeth within their respective jaws and after the surgery to fine-tune the final bite. This combined approach permanently changes the underlying skeletal structure, ensuring the most stable and functional bite correction.
Expected Treatment Timeline and Maintaining Results
The duration of orthodontic treatment for an adult overbite varies widely based on case complexity. Mild to moderate dental overbites typically require 12 to 24 months of active treatment. More severe malocclusions, especially those involving skeletal camouflage, can extend this timeline to 24 to 36 months.
Cases requiring orthognathic surgery follow the longest timeline, often spanning two to three years, including phases of pre-surgical orthodontics, the surgery, and post-surgical refinement. Consistent compliance, such as wearing elastics or aligners as directed, is crucial to prevent delays and keep the treatment on track.
Following active treatment, the retention phase is necessary to maintain the corrected overbite. Since teeth tend to drift back toward their original positions, a retainer must be worn indefinitely to prevent relapse. Retention options include fixed retainers (thin wires bonded to the back of the front teeth) and removable retainers, such as Hawley or clear plastic retainers worn primarily at night. For adults, lifetime retention is typically recommended to ensure the stability of the newly achieved bite.