You might book an orthodontic consultation because you want straighter teeth, then hear your orthodontist start talking about your bite.
Overbite. Overjet. Crossbite. Open bite.
Suddenly, there is a little more to the conversation than whether your front teeth look straight.
So, what does bite correction actually mean, and why might it be included in your clear aligner treatment plan?
What is bite correction?
Your bite describes the way your upper and lower teeth come together when you close your mouth.
Bite correction in orthodontics means changing the position of the teeth to improve the way they meet.
For some people, this may involve relatively small tooth movements. For others, the bite may be a bigger part of their overall treatment plan.
This is why clear aligner treatment is not always simply about straightening the teeth you can see when you smile.
Why does your bite matter?
There are two parts to think about when planning orthodontic treatment.
The first is alignment, which is where each tooth sits.
The second is your bite, which is how the upper and lower teeth relate to each other.
You can have teeth that look relatively straight from the front and still have a bite concern.
That is why an orthodontic treatment plan may involve both straightening individual teeth and changing how the upper and lower teeth meet.
What are the different types of bite?
There are several bite patterns you may hear mentioned during your consultation.
Overbite or deep bite
An overbite describes the vertical overlap between your upper and lower front teeth.
Some overlap is normal. When the upper teeth cover a larger amount of the lower teeth, this may be described as a deep bite.
Overjet
Overjet describes the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth.
Increased overjet means the upper front teeth sit further forward relative to the lower front teeth.
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, overbite and overjet are different things.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when one or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside of them.
It may involve the front teeth, back teeth or both.
Open bite
An open bite is where some upper and lower teeth do not meet when you bite together.
For example, the back teeth may touch while there is still a gap between the front teeth.
Underbite
An underbite is where the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth when the teeth come together.
The type and extent of a bite concern can vary significantly from person to person, which is why treatment recommendations also vary.
Can clear aligners correct your bite?
Clear aligners can be used to address a range of bite concerns in suitable patients, including some cases of overbite, overjet, crossbite and open bite.
But not every bite can be treated in the same way.
Whether clear aligners may be appropriate depends on factors such as:
- your tooth positions
- the type and severity of the bite concern
- the relationship between your jaws
- the movements required
- your oral health
- how consistently the aligners are worn
Some orthodontic concerns are mainly related to tooth position, while others have a stronger skeletal component involving the jaws.
This is why an assessment is important before deciding whether clear aligners are suitable.
How do clear aligners correct a bite?
Clear aligners work through a planned series of small tooth movements.
Each aligner is slightly different from the one before it and is designed to apply controlled forces to selected teeth.
If bite correction forms part of your treatment plan, those movements may be designed to change how certain upper and lower teeth meet.
Your treatment may also include attachments, which are small tooth-coloured shapes bonded to selected teeth to help the aligners apply specific forces.
Some patients may also be prescribed orthodontic elastics to support certain bite movements.
Exactly what is required depends on your individual treatment plan.
Why do my teeth look straight if treatment is not finished?
This is a common question.
You may reach a point where you look in the mirror and think:
“My teeth look straight. Why do I still have more aligners?”
Often, the answer is that the visible alignment has improved before all the planned movements are complete.
Your remaining aligners may still be working on:
- how the upper and lower teeth meet
- the position or angle of individual teeth
- movements involving the back teeth
- small finishing movements
So even if your smile looks close to finished, there may still be important changes happening.
Why did bite correction come up at my consultation?
Many people start researching clear aligners because of something visible, like crowding, gaps or a tooth sitting out of line.
During your consultation, your bite is assessed as well.
At Urban Smile, your records are reviewed by a Specialist Orthodontist before your clear aligner treatment plan is designed.
This means the plan looks at more than just straightening the front teeth. It also considers how your teeth fit together and what movements may be appropriate for your individual needs.
Does bite correction make treatment longer?
It can affect the number and complexity of movements required, but treatment time varies between patients.
Someone with relatively simple alignment needs may require fewer movements than someone whose plan also involves more complex bite changes.
Other factors, including how your teeth respond and how consistently you wear your aligners, can also influence treatment progress.
At your consultation, we can provide an estimated treatment timeframe based on your individual orthodontic needs.
What if I only want my front teeth straightened?
It is completely reasonable to come into a consultation with a particular cosmetic concern.
Your orthodontist still needs to assess the rest of your teeth and bite before recommending treatment.
Moving one group of teeth can affect how they relate to others, so orthodontic planning needs to consider the mouth as a whole.
Your consultation is your opportunity to explain what you would like to change and understand what may be involved in treating it.
Do all bite concerns need treatment?
Not necessarily.
Bites vary naturally, and having a particular bite pattern does not automatically mean orthodontic treatment is required.
Whether treatment is recommended depends on the individual, including the type and extent of the concern and whether it is affecting the teeth, oral health or function. In some cases, we accept a certain bite issue if it is stable and not causing issues.
Bite correction and clear aligners at Urban Smile
If bite correction comes up during your clear aligner consultation, it does not necessarily mean something unexpected has been found.
It simply means your treatment plan is looking at how your teeth work together as well as how they look.
At Urban Smile, clear aligner treatment is planned by Specialist Orthodontists and supported by our teams in Hawthorn, Brunswick and Waurn Ponds.
Our free one-hour consultation includes digital records and an assessment of your teeth and bite, so you can understand your treatment options before deciding whether you would like to proceed.
Book a free consultation to find out if clear aligners are right for you.
Consultation required to assess suitability. Treatment recommendations, outcomes and treatment times vary between individuals.
Bite correction FAQs
What does bite correction mean in orthodontics?
Bite correction involves changing tooth position to improve how the upper and lower teeth meet.
Can clear aligners correct an overbite?
Clear aligners may be suitable for some overbites or deep bites, depending on the type and severity of the concern.
Can clear aligners correct a crossbite?
Some crossbites may be treated with clear aligners. Suitability depends on which teeth are involved and the underlying cause.
Why am I still wearing aligners if my teeth already look straight?
Your visible teeth may appear straight before all planned movements are complete. Your remaining aligners may still be working on your bite, back teeth or finishing movements.
Is an overbite the same as an overjet?
No. An overbite describes the vertical overlap of the front teeth, while overjet describes how far the upper front teeth sit in front of the lower teeth.