Overbite (deep bite)
The upper front teeth overlap the lower too much vertically. Aligners handle mild to moderate deep bites well, using pressure areas and bite ramps built into the aligners to open the bite. Severe deep bites with heavy wear may be more predictable with braces.
Overjet (front teeth stick out)
Often called an overbite by patients. In growing teens, aligners with elastics can bring the lower jaw forward and reduce the overjet, sometimes with mandibular advancement features built into the aligners. In adults with a significant jaw discrepancy, aligners camouflage by retracting the upper teeth; a large discrepancy may need surgery regardless of appliance.
Underbite
Lower teeth ahead of the upper. Mild dental underbites respond to aligners with elastics. Skeletal underbites in children are best addressed with growth guidance in early treatment; in adults, a true skeletal underbite usually needs surgery combined with orthodontics, with aligners or braces.
Crossbite
Single-tooth or front crossbites correct well with aligners. Posterior crossbites from a narrow upper jaw need expansion; in children, a palatal expander does this and aligners can follow. Invisalign First can achieve modest expansion in young children. In adults, aligners can tip teeth outward but cannot widen the jaw itself; surgically assisted expansion is the answer for a truly narrow adult jaw.
Open bite
Front teeth that do not meet. Aligners are, interestingly, one of the better tools for mild open bites in adults, because they can intrude back teeth. Severe open bites, and those driven by a tongue habit, are harder and may need braces, myofunctional therapy, or surgery.
What decides it
Whether the problem is in the teeth or in the jaws, and whether the patient is still growing. Dental problems and growing patients are the aligner sweet spot. Adult skeletal problems are camouflaged, accepted, or corrected surgically. The evaluation and x-rays tell the orthodontist which you have. See Invisalign and braces vs Invisalign.
Ready to find out what your options are?
Complimentary evaluations for children, teens and adults at myORTHODONTIST Maple Ridge on Dewdney Trunk Road. No referral needed.