Overjet is a fairly common dental issue in which the top row of teeth extends horizontally beyond the bottom ones. In an “ideal” smile, the top and bottom teeth line up almost perfectly. But for any number of reasons—genetics, thumb-sucking too long as a toddler, or pushing on the teeth with the tongue—an overjet can appear.
Thankfully, an overjet rarely causes any serious issues if you decide not to treat it. That said, overjet can contribute to teeth misalignments, worn enamel (due to grinding your teeth at night), and in rare cases, bacteria build-up. Some people don’t like how their overjet makes their smile look, either.
In today’s advanced world of orthodontics, there are lots of different ways to fix a crooked smile, including clear aligners (also called invisible braces). Invisalign is the most well-known clear aligner option available. But can Invisalign fix overjet? In this guide, we’ll cover everything there is to know about Invisalign and overjet.
Worried about Invisalign’s high price tag? If you have a minor case of overjet, we recommend using Byte. Byte is an online clear aligner service that ships custom aligners to your door for a fraction of the cost of Invisalign.
How Does Invisalign Work to Fix Overjet?
Can Invisalign fix an overjet? The short answer is, yes! Invisalign is one of the best treatment options for overjet (aside from braces). Since Invisalign is a very customizable treatment method, your orthodontist can address the root cause of your bite issue. Generally, overjet occurs when the top teeth are pushed forward—by prolonged thumb or pacifier sucking or even overcrowded teeth. Thankfully, Invisalign can correct your overjet, no matter the cause.
Technically speaking, Invisalign and braces are equally effective methods to treat an overjet because they accomplish the same thing. But instead of using brackets and wires, Invisalign uses clear trays that are molded to match your teeth, and by wearing your aligners, you gradually move your teeth into new, aligned positions.
But Invisalign actually takes it a step further: they offer elastics and their proprietary tooth-colored add-ons called SmartForce attachments. These can be fixed directly to your teeth, exerting more force on your teeth than clear aligners alone. That extra “oomph” allows Invisalign to move both your teeth and, if needed, your jaw itself. That’s why Invisalign can fix most bite issues.
Of course, your new perfect smile comes with a price: you’ll have to endure a little discomfort and wear your aligners religiously. If you don’t, your treatment won’t be effective. A lot of people like the convenience of removing their aligners to eat, drink, and clean their teeth. But if you’d be tempted to take them out in order to reduce your discomfort, then you may want to choose a more permanent method like traditional or clear braces.
How Long Will Invisalign Take To Correct My Overjet?
That’s a good question, and it’s a little tough to answer. The length of your treatment largely depends on what your overjet looks like today. If your overjet is pretty minor, you’ll spend much less time wearing your Invisalign aligners than someone with a more severe overjet.
For example, a “normal bite” allows for 1-3 millimeters of space between the two rows of teeth. If your overjet falls at the 3 millimeter mark, your case will take much less time to align than someone with a 6 millimeter overjet. The treatment process will look nearly identical, but the 6 millimeter case will take significantly longer.
That said, in general, most people can expect to wear their Invisalign aligners for 12 to 18 months. That’s the time it typically takes to move your teeth and your jaw as needed.
There’s an exception, though. If you’re a candidate for Invisalign Express (essentially a smaller, cheaper version of Invisalign), your average treatment will last just 6 months.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix an Overjet With Invisalign?
Let’s be clear: whatever method you use to correct your smile, you’ll be making a significant investment. A perfect smile doesn’t come cheap, and Invisalign is no exception.
Since Invisalign is administered in person by individual orthodontists, it’s tough to nail down an exact price for Invisalign treatment. Of course, your orthodontist will charge you for the aligners themselves, but they will also add on the labor costs of preparing your aligners, your check-up appointments, and so on. Those fees vary from one orthodontist to another. On average, though, most people spend between $3,000 to $8,000 for Invisalign.
If your overjet falls outside the “normal bite” range of 1 to 3 millimeters, you can reasonably expect to pay more. You’ll need more aligners than someone with a simpler case, and in some cases, your orthodontist may need to add in extra attachments and elastics to help pull your teeth back. The extra aligners and attachments take more time and more consultations with your orthodontist. Naturally, that costs more.
Can I Use an At-Home Clear Aligner Like Smile Direct Instead?
Ultimately, it depends on your specific case. Compared to home-based clear aligners like Byte and Smile Direct Club, Invisalign is a more powerful method that can correct nearly any overjet. At-home clear aligner products can correct some overjets, but not all.
Why? Because overjets are caused by two primary issues: the teeth themselves don’t line up, or the jaw bone isn’t aligned correctly. Moving the jaw so it lines up is possible, but it (understandably) requires more force. Home teeth aligners can only exert force on the teeth themselves, not the jaw. Invisalign—with the help of attachments added by your dentist—can do both. So, Invisalign is more effective at correcting moderate-to-severe bite issues than home teeth aligners.
That said, you’ll usually wrap up treatment much sooner with home-based clear aligners than Invisalign — plus they’re significantly more convenient. All in all, at-home clear aligners are worth considering if you only have a minor overjet.
The Best Home-Based Clear Aligners For Overjet
Smile Direct may be the most well-known home-based aligner company, but they’re honestly not our first pick. Our two favorite home-based clear aligners are Byte and Candid. Both are younger than Smile Direct and Invisalign, but they’ve already proved themselves as effective treatment methods for minor cosmetic cases of malocclusion and overjet.
#1|Byte
Our all-time favorite home aligner is Byte. They’re an all-around good option. And if you’re eager to see your perfect smile, Byte has the shortest treatment lengths on the market; most treatments last just 4 months. In contrast, most other home aligner companies last 6 months.
These quick treatments are largely thanks to Byte’s HyperByte device. Some orthodontists will offer a similar contraption at extra charge, but Byte includes it as a complimentary part of your treatment. Here’s how it works: you use the HyperByte for approximately five minutes a day. The HyperByte sends gentle, microscopic vibrations through your teeth and up to your roots. Not only does this help shift your teeth, but it also stimulates blood flow and helps reduce your treatment discomfort.
The HyperByte system is one of the main reasons Byte is our favorite treatment for mild cases of dental overjet. The high frequency vibration therapy keeps things quick and (relatively) painless.
#2|Candid
Candid began as a fully remote clear aligner provider, but has recently shifted to “CanidPro,” a hybrid at-home/in-office treatment option. Your treatment will be administered by a local dentist in the Candid network, and overseen remotely thanks to the sophisticated CandidMonitoring system.
Using your smartphone and a special imaging device included in your treatment bundle, you can upload progress photos to the Candid app every 10-14 days. The Candid team and/or your dentist will review these images, and make any necessary tweaks to your treatment. In some cases, you may be given the go-ahead to switch a near aligner early. This high level of oversight has the potential to shorten your treatment length a bit.
If you’re interested in the convenience of home aligners, but want the robust oversight of in-office care, look no further than Candid for help correcting a mild case of overjet.
Candid and Byte are our top-rated clear aligner services, but they aren’t the only options, either. If you’re considering at-home clear aligners to treat your overjet, check out our comparison of the top 4 home teeth straightening services.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a treatment method, we urge you to carefully consider all your options, and why you feel the need to correct your overjet to begin with. Overjet might make your smile look a little different, but odds are most people don’t even notice. So remember, whether you correct your overjet or leave it be, your future is still bright!
Thankfully, you have time on your side (since overjet rarely causes medical issues, you don’t have to rush to fix it). Since you have that time, our recommendation is to chat with your dentist about the best options for treating your overjet. And if you’re interested in at-home treatment, consider ordering an impression kit from one of the providers above to see if you’re a candidate!
We recommend Byte to anyone looking to correct a minor case of underbite. They offer the best-value clear aligner system & great customer support at a fair price ($1,895).