Overbite Treatment in Kent and Sammamish
Deep bite correction at Freelove Orthodontics starts with the cause, not just the cosmetic result. At the free consultation, digital records, photographs, and clinically indicated imaging classify the case as dental, skeletal, or combined, and show whether growth modification, intrusion mechanics, or surgical coordination is the right path. You leave with a written plan, an exact fee, and a clear explanation of the difference between an overbite and an overjet.
Reviewed and approved by Dr. Cameron Freelove, DDS, MS · Last updated
Overbite vs. Overjet: What Most People Get Wrong
Overbite and overjet are two different measurements that people often combine into one complaint. Both are recorded at every new-patient exam.
- Overbite is the vertical relationship: how far the upper front teeth cover the lower front teeth when the back teeth are closed. A normal overbite is about 2 to 4 millimeters, or 25 to 30 percent coverage of the lower incisors. More than about 50 percent coverage is called a deep bite.
- Overjet is the horizontal relationship: how far the upper front teeth sit in front of the lower front teeth. A large overjet is what most people picture as "buck teeth," and it is measured and treated separately from overbite.
A patient can have a deep overbite, a large overjet, or both, and the treatment plan depends on which one (or both) is present and why.
How Severe Is Your Overbite?
Severity is measured directly from the bite registration and 3D scan. The classification below is what Dr. Freelove uses at the consultation to set treatment time and decide whether growth modification, camouflage, or surgical coordination is the right path.
Mild (4–6 mm)
Upper teeth cover 50–75% of lower teeth. Usually no symptoms. Primarily a cosmetic concern. Frequently correctable with clear aligners.
Treatment time: 12–18 months
Moderate (6–8 mm)
Lower teeth barely visible when smiling. Beginning to wear on the back surfaces of the upper front teeth. Jaw fatigue and early TMJ strain are possible.
Treatment time: 18–24 months
Severe (8+ mm / Complete)
Lower teeth contact the palate or gum tissue behind the upper teeth (traumatic overbite). Wear, chipping, and TMJ pain are likely. A skeletal component is common.
Treatment time: 18–24+ months, sometimes with jaw surgery.
Dental Overbite vs. Skeletal Overbite
The most consequential classification at the overbite consultation is whether the case is dental or skeletal, because the treatment plans and the long-term stability differ.
Dental overbite is caused by tooth position alone. The jaws are in a normal relationship, and the front teeth have erupted past their expected vertical position, often because the back teeth did not fully erupt or because grinding wore the lower incisors. It is corrected by moving teeth.
Skeletal overbite comes from the jaw relationship itself, usually a lower jaw set back relative to the upper. In a growing child it can be guided with a growth-modification appliance; in an adult a severe skeletal deep bite may need orthodontics combined with jaw surgery.
When Phase 1 Treatment for an Overbite Makes Sense (10 and under)
Phase 1 helps children who need early intervention for issues like crossbite, harmful habits, tooth impaction from crowding, airway concerns when the upper jaw is not developing enough, and cases that pair with myofunctional therapy for proper tongue function. Not every child who could benefit needs to start early. When waiting for the adult teeth to come in would achieve the same result in one phase instead of two, Freelove Orthodontics recommends watchful observation rather than unnecessary early treatment. Phase 1 should solve a specific problem that would be harder or impossible to fix later.
What Happens If a Deep Bite Is Not Treated
Deep Bites Get Worse With Age
As the lower incisors wear down from repeated contact with the upper teeth, they become shorter, which deepens the bite further. Lost back teeth remove posterior support, causing the bite to collapse vertically. Nighttime grinding accelerates the cycle. A deep bite that is manageable at 25 can become a functional problem requiring restorative dentistry by age 40 or 50.
Lower Tooth Wear and Chipping
The lower front teeth contact the back surfaces of the upper front teeth with every bite. Over years, this wears the enamel thin and leads to chipping, fracture, and sensitivity. Eventually, restorative work (bonding, crowns, or veneers) is needed, but without correcting the bite first, those restorations will fail for the same reason the original enamel did.
Gum Damage (Traumatic Overbite)
In severe cases, the lower front teeth bite directly into the gum tissue behind the upper teeth, causing chronic irritation, recession, and even ulceration. This is a traumatic overbite, and it is an indication for orthodontic treatment regardless of cosmetic concern.
TMJ Problems
A deep bite restricts forward movement of the lower jaw. Over time, that restriction can strain the temporomandibular joints and contribute to jaw pain, clicking, and headaches, especially in patients who also grind their teeth at night.
How Freelove Diagnoses and Treats Overbite
Freelove Orthodontics treats a deep bite by diagnosing the cause first, then choosing the mechanics that correct it with the lightest practical forces.
- 3D diagnosis. A CBCT scan and intraoral scan classify the case as dental, skeletal, or combined before any brackets are placed.
- Light, controlled intrusion. Deep bites are opened gradually rather than with heavy forces, which protects the roots of the front teeth.
- Growth used when it is available. In a growing child, a Herbst appliance can address the jaw relationship so the correction holds; in an adult, a severe skeletal case is coordinated with an oral surgeon.
Treatment Options for Overbite
| Treatment | Best For | Mechanism | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Braces | Moderate to severe deep bite | Intrusion arches, reverse curve of Spee wires, Class II elastics | $5,000 |
| Clear Ceramic Braces | Moderate to severe (aesthetic preference) | Same mechanics as metal | $5,000 |
| Invisalign | Mild to moderate dental deep bite | Built-in bite ramps and proper staging open the bite | $5,000 |
| Angel Aligners ← Primary aligner | Mild to moderate dental deep bite | Bite ramps and proper staging | $5,000 |
| Herbst / Casper | Growing children with small or retruded lower jaw | Forward repositioning of the mandible during growth | +$500 add-on |
| Bite Turbos | During active aligner or braces treatment | Composite buildups prevent tooth overlap while the bite opens | Included |
| Orthognathic Surgery + Braces | Severe skeletal deep bite in adults | Surgical repositioning of the lower (and sometimes upper) jaw | Coordinated with surgeon |
For Growing Children: Growth Modification with a Herbst Appliance
A growing child with a skeletal Class II deep bite may be a candidate for a Herbst appliance that holds the lower jaw forward during the active growth spurt. The correction window is roughly ages 11 to 14 for most patients, with the best start point varying by individual maturation seen on the CBCT. The appliance is added to a comprehensive braces case, and total treatment usually runs 18 to 24 months end to end.
For Teens and Adults: Intrusion Mechanics
Deep bite correction in a non-growing patient works by controlling vertical tooth position rather than moving bone.
Intrusion, pushing the overerupted front teeth up into the bone. This is the most precise method and the most difficult to execute correctly.
Intrusion forces must be light and sustained; heavy forces cause root resorption (permanent root shortening) rather than faster movement. Dr. Freelove starts intrusion cases on the smallest practical archwire so initial forces stay within the biological range, then progresses slowly.
Posterior extrusion, bringing the back teeth down to open the bite by rotating the mandible. This is simpler mechanically but increases lower-face height, which is not desirable in every facial type. The choice between intrusion and extrusion is made on facial analysis, CBCT measurements, and long-term stability, not on whichever moves the front teeth fastest.
Bite turbos, small composite buildups that prevent the front teeth from overlapping during treatment. Turbos open the bite mechanically right away so the archwire or aligner sequence can reposition the teeth without the lower incisors hitting the upper brackets or attachments. They come off at the end of treatment.
Clear Aligners for Mild to Moderate Overbite
Invisalign and Angel Aligners can correct mild-to-moderate dental deep bites using built-in bite ramps and carefully planned staging of the sequence of aligner movements.
When Does an Overbite Need Jaw Surgery?
Dr. Freelove does not use a single rigid threshold for recommending jaw surgery. The decision depends on the severity of the skeletal discrepancy, facial esthetics, airway considerations, and the patient’s own goals. For a growing patient, growth modification can often correct a skeletal deep bite without surgery; for a non-growing patient with a severe skeletal discrepancy, orthodontics is coordinated with an oral surgeon.
When the case is severe and skeletal in a patient who is no longer growing, Freelove Orthodontics coordinates pre- and post-surgical orthodontics with a partnered oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Pre-surgical orthodontics moves the teeth into their true skeletal positions, which can temporarily change the appearance before surgery. The surgeon then repositions the affected jaw, and post-surgical orthodontics fine-tunes the final bite. The surgical fee is billed separately by the surgeon.
Typical Treatment Timeline
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Records & planning
1 visit
Aoralscan 3 digital scan, facial analysis, dental-vs-skeletal classification
-
Phase 1 (growing children only)
9–12 months
Depending on the condition, typically expansion combined with braces or clear aligners
-
Bite opening
3–6 months
Bite turbos plus intrusion or extrusion mechanics
-
Alignment & detailing
6–12 months
Level arches, refine the occlusion, close any remaining overjet
-
Retention
Indefinite nighttime wear
Includes one set of Essix retainers; optional Retainer Plan ($680) for replacement retainers
What to Expect at Your Consultation
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Digital intake
Medical history, TMJ screening, wear-pattern review, and what the patient or parent wants corrected.
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Comprehensive records
Aoralscan 3 digital intraoral scan, clinical photos.
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Diagnosis with Dr. Freelove
Overbite and overjet measured on-screen; dental, skeletal, or combined identified and explained in plain language.
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Treatment options and timeline
Braces, Invisalign, Angel Aligners, Herbst, and surgical coordination all discussed when they apply. Phase 1 recommendations for children include a written rationale.
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Exact pricing
Insurance estimate, financing options, and any family, teacher, or military discount applied right there. No same-day contract required.
Treatment Examples
See more overbite corrections in the Freelove smile gallery.
How Much Does Overbite Treatment Cost?
Metal braces: from $5,000 (comprehensive)
Clear ceramic braces: from $5,000 (comprehensive)
Angel Aligners: from $5,000 (comprehensive)
Invisalign: from $5,000 (comprehensive)
Herbst add-on: +$500 when indicated by a skeletal Class II pattern
Phase 1 growth-modification fees for children are quoted at the consultation once the dental-vs-skeletal classification is made.
Insurance & Financing
Most PPO orthodontic plans cover a portion of the comprehensive case that the deep-bite treatment is part of. When jaw surgery is required, the surgeon bills that fee separately, and it is often covered by medical (not dental) insurance when functional indications are documented.
Freelove Orthodontics verifies your dental benefits at the consultation. Payment options include In-House Financing (from $199/month), CareCredit (0% APR promotional financing, $0 down for approved credit), and a 5% discount for paying in full. HSA and FSA funds are accepted.
Common Appliances Used at Freelove
Correcting a deep overbite uses KLOwen custom braces to level the bite by moving teeth vertically, a more complex mechanical task than simple alignment. When the overbite is driven by a Class II jaw relationship in a growing patient, Dr. Freelove may add a Herbst appliance to guide the lower jaw forward during the growth window.
Frequently Asked Questions About Overbite
What is the difference between an overbite and an overjet?
Overbite is vertical, how far the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth from top to bottom. Overjet is horizontal, how far the upper teeth protrude in front of the lower teeth, measured front-to-back. Normal overbite is 2–4 mm (about 25–30% coverage). Over 4 mm or more than 50% coverage is a deep bite.
The two measurements are related but independent, and both are recorded at every new-patient exam at Freelove.
Can Invisalign or Angel Aligners fix an overbite?
Both platforms can correct mild-to-moderate dental deep bites with careful staging of aligner movements. For moderate-to-severe deep bites, especially those with a skeletal component, braces with intrusion arches or a growth-modification appliance in children are more predictable.
The Aoralscan 3 digital impression and clinical photos at the first consultation are how Dr. Freelove decides which platform is the right tool for a given case.
Does an overbite get worse with age?
Yes. The lower incisors shorten from year after year of contact, the back teeth may be lost to decay or fracture, and nighttime grinding deepens the bite further. A deep bite that is manageable at 25 can require restorative dentistry, or combined ortho-surgical correction, by 40 or 50. Earlier correction is usually simpler and less expensive.
How is a deep bite actually corrected?
By intruding the front teeth (pushing them up into the bone), extruding the back teeth (bringing them down to open the bite), or both. Growing children with a skeletal component are candidates for Herbst appliances that advance the lower jaw during growth. Intrusion forces must be light and sustained.
Heavy forces cause root resorption rather than faster movement, which is why mechanics selection matters more than the brand of bracket or aligner.
Is overbite correction painful?
Most patients report mild soreness for three to five days after each archwire change or aligner switch. Freelove always begins with the smallest practical wire so initial forces stay in the light range. Wax, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen handle the adjustment discomfort for the majority of cases.
At what age should my child’s overbite be evaluated?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7, though some children may need to be seen earlier. For skeletal deep bites specifically, Herbst appliances are most effective between ages 10 and 13, while the mandible still has active growth. Evaluating at 7 does not commit a family to starting treatment at 7.
Most children seen at that age are placed on complimentary growth-monitoring recall until the timing is right.
Will I need jaw surgery for my overbite?
Only for severe skeletal deep bites with significant facial imbalance or airway involvement, and only in non-growing patients where camouflage with braces or aligners would produce an unstable or aesthetically unacceptable result. The majority of overbites, including many that look severe from the outside, are correctable with orthodontics alone.
When surgery is the right answer, Dr. Freelove handles the pre- and post-surgical orthodontics and partners directly with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Can an overbite cause TMJ or jaw pain?
A deep overbite restricts how far forward the lower jaw can translate during chewing and speaking. That restriction loads the temporomandibular joints asymmetrically and can contribute to clicking, limited opening, morning jaw fatigue, and tension headaches, particularly when nighttime grinding is also present.
Correcting the bite often reduces these symptoms, though not every patient’s TMJ pain is driven by the bite alone. Dr. Freelove screens for TMJ involvement at the consultation rather than assuming the bite is the cause.
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