An overbite is when the upper front teeth overlap the lower ones more than they should. The word covers two things: overjet, where the upper teeth sit too far forward (often called "buck teeth"), and deep bite, where they cover too much of the lowers. It is treated with braces or aligners, and sometimes with early treatment in children.
A small overlap of about 2 to 3 millimetres is normal, and plenty of overbites are mild enough to leave alone.
What causes an overbite
Most overbites come down to inherited jaw size and growth. A lower jaw that sits a little behind the upper one is a common pattern, and it often runs in families. Habits add to it: thumb sucking or a dummy used well past the toddler years can tip the upper front teeth forward and the lower ones back, and a lower lip that rests behind the upper teeth keeps pushing them out. In adults, worn or missing back teeth can let the bite close further, so the overlap at the front gets deeper.
Why it is worth a proper look
- Upper front teeth that stick out are more likely to chip or break in a fall or at sport.
- In a deep bite, the lower front teeth can bite into the gum behind the upper teeth and make it sore.
- A heavy overlap can wear the front teeth faster than normal over the years.
- Lips may not close comfortably over prominent teeth, and many people dislike how it looks in photos.
How we assess it at Align
Your orthodontic consultation is complimentary and needs no referral. Dr Anand Srinivasa, our principal clinician, whose practice is restricted to orthodontics, has 26 years in orthodontics and more than 8,000 orthodontic cases behind him. He starts with records (photos, digital scans and X-rays where needed) and works out whether the problem sits in the teeth, the jaws or both, because that decides the plan. He then plans treatment digitally, and you leave with a written plan: the options that suit your case, how long each commonly takes and the full cost.
Treatment options by age
- Children, around 7 to 10: an early assessment sorts the children who need help now from the many who only need monitoring. If a habit is driving the problem, a habit-breaker appliance comes first. When the upper teeth are very prominent, starting early aims to reduce the risk of injury, and a second phase usually follows in the teens.
- Teens: treatment in the early teens can work with the growth spurt. Damon™ braces or Invisalign® are the usual approach, with small elastics that guide the bite into place and bite ramps that help open a deep bite.
- Adults: the jaws have stopped growing, so treatment moves the teeth instead. Many adult overbites are corrected with braces, aligners or lingual braces, and sometimes the room comes from removing two upper premolars. When the jaw difference is large, Dr Anand will tell you plainly whether braces alone can reach a healthy, stable result, or whether an opinion from an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is worth having. See adult orthodontics.
Comprehensive treatment commonly takes 12 to 24 months, depending on the size of the correction and how well elastics or aligners are worn. Early treatment is usually shorter. Larger corrections are often more predictable in fixed braces, and our guide to braces vs Invisalign compares the two.
Keeping the result
Overbites, and deep bites in particular, tend to drift back if they are not held. Every plan includes retainers, usually a fixed wire behind the front teeth, a clear retainer worn at night, or both, and retention continues long term. Our guide to retainers after braces explains the options, and the smile gallery shows cases treated here. Individual results vary.
What it costs
As a guide, comprehensive treatment in Sydney is commonly quoted at roughly $4,500 to $8,000 for metal braces and $6,000 to $9,000 for Invisalign. Early treatment for a child is usually a smaller course. You get a written quote after an examination, with payment plans across treatment, and health fund extras with orthodontic cover may contribute. The Sydney braces cost guide explains what moves the price.