An overbite is corrected by moving the upper teeth back, the lower teeth forward, or repositioning the jaw itself, depending on whether the problem originates in the teeth or the bone structure beneath them. Mild to moderate overbites are typically fixed with braces or clear aligners over 12 to 36 months, while severe cases rooted in jaw misalignment may require surgery. The right approach depends on your age, the severity of the overlap, and what’s actually causing it.
Dental Overbite vs. Skeletal Overbite
Not all overbites are the same, and the distinction between a dental overbite and a skeletal one shapes the entire treatment plan. A dental overbite means the teeth themselves are out of position: the upper front teeth flare too far forward, or the lower teeth have drifted backward. The jaw bones are fine, and moving the teeth is enough to fix the bite. A skeletal overbite means the upper jaw grew too far forward, the lower jaw didn’t grow far enough, or both. No amount of tooth movement alone can correct a bone-level mismatch.
Your orthodontist determines which type you have using X-rays that measure the relationship between your upper and lower jaws. This is usually the first thing assessed before any treatment begins, because it rules certain options in or out entirely.
Braces With Elastics
Traditional metal or ceramic braces remain one of the most effective treatments for moderate to severe overbites. Treatment typically lasts 18 to 36 months depending on severity. The brackets and wires do much of the heavy lifting by straightening and aligning individual teeth, but the overbite correction itself relies heavily on rubber bands (elastics) that you hook between the upper and lower arches.
For overbite correction, these elastics usually run from the upper canine area to the lower molars. The tension pulls the upper teeth backward and the lower teeth forward simultaneously, creating a force that braces alone can’t generate. Over time, this sustained pressure triggers a remodeling process in the bone: cells break down bone in the direction the tooth is moving while new bone fills in behind it. It’s a slow, biological process, which is why consistent elastic wear matters so much. Skipping them extends treatment significantly.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners work well for mild to moderate overbites and typically take 12 to 24 months. They use a series of custom trays that apply gradual pressure to shift teeth into new positions, and newer aligner systems can incorporate small attachments or elastics to address bite issues more effectively than earlier versions could.
The limitation is straightforward: if the overbite is severe or caused by jaw misalignment rather than tooth position, aligners alone won’t be enough. In those cases, your orthodontist might recommend braces, jaw appliances, or a combination approach. Aligners also depend entirely on compliance. They need to be worn 20 to 22 hours per day to stay on schedule.
Tooth Extractions
Sometimes there simply isn’t enough room in the mouth to pull the upper front teeth back into alignment. In those cases, removing premolars (the teeth between your canines and molars) creates the space needed. This is more common than many patients expect, and it doesn’t leave a visible gap. The orthodontic treatment that follows gradually closes the extraction space as the front teeth retract into it.
Extraction cases tend to produce greater backward movement of the front teeth compared to non-extraction treatment. Without extractions, crowded teeth can press against each other unpredictably, sometimes pushing sideways rather than moving where they need to go. Removing premolars gives the orthodontist more control over the final result.
Growth Modification in Children
Children and young teens have an option that adults don’t: functional appliances that take advantage of active jaw growth. Devices like the Twin Block or Herbst appliance are designed to encourage the lower jaw to grow forward, reducing the overbite at a skeletal level. These are typically used in patients aged 10 to 14, during the peak growth period.
The results, however, are more modest than many parents assume. Research consistently shows that most of the correction from functional appliances comes from tooth movement rather than true skeletal change. There is some jaw growth stimulation, but it’s a small component. Most patients still need a phase of braces or aligners afterward to fine-tune the alignment. The real advantage of early treatment is that it can reduce the severity of the problem enough to avoid surgery later.
Jaw Surgery for Severe Cases
When the overbite stems from a significant jaw size discrepancy, orthodontics alone can’t fully correct it. Jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) physically repositions the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both. It’s performed after jaw growth is complete, which is around age 16 to 18 for females and 18 to 21 for males.
The process isn’t quick. Most patients wear braces for several months before surgery to align the teeth within each arch, then have the surgical procedure, then continue with braces afterward to settle the bite into its final position. The total treatment timeline from start to finish often spans two to three years. Surgery itself involves a hospital stay, and full recovery from the procedure takes several weeks, with a period of restricted diet and gradual return to normal jaw function.
Jaw surgery goes beyond cosmetics. It can resolve difficulty chewing, speech problems, chronic jaw pain, and even obstructive sleep apnea caused by a recessed lower jaw.
What Happens if You Don’t Treat It
A mild overbite may never cause problems. But a significant one tends to get worse with time rather than better. When the upper and lower teeth don’t meet properly, the teeth that do make contact bear more force than they should. This leads to uneven wear, chipping, and in some cases cracking of the enamel over years. The front teeth in a deep overbite can even contact the gum tissue behind the upper teeth, causing chronic irritation and tissue damage.
Jaw joint problems are another common consequence. When the bite is off, the muscles and joints that control jaw movement compensate in ways that can produce clicking, pain, headaches, and difficulty opening the mouth fully. These issues tend to develop gradually and worsen over time.
Retention After Treatment
Correcting an overbite is only half the challenge. Keeping it corrected requires retention, and the first year after treatment is the most critical window. Research tracking patients over three years found that roughly 80% of any relapse in tooth position occurred during the first 12 months. After that first year, the correction tends to stabilize significantly.
Most orthodontists prescribe a retainer to be worn full-time initially, then transitioned to nighttime-only wear. Some patients receive a permanent wire bonded behind the front teeth for added insurance. Skipping retainer wear, especially in that first year, is the single most common reason overbites partially return after treatment. The bone around newly positioned teeth needs time to fully consolidate, and without a retainer holding things in place, teeth drift back toward their original positions.