– An overbite? Here is how we fix it.
An overbite, or a bite where the upper front teeth protrude or cover the lower teeth too much, is one of the most common reasons people see us. Here is what it is, why it matters, and how a specialist orthodontist corrects it, with real results from our Auckland clinic.
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Reviewed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, Specialist Orthodontist. Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics), registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
Overbites and overjets, corrected
Real Milk Orthodontics patients, treated by a specialist and shared with their permission. Your own plan is designed for your specific bite.
What an overbite actually is
The two terms get mixed up constantly, so here is the plain difference. An overbite is how far your upper front teeth overlap the lower ones vertically, so a deep overbite means the top teeth hide most of the bottom teeth. An overjet is how far the upper teeth stick out horizontally, which is what most people mean by protruding or buck teeth. A small overbite is normal and healthy, it is a deep bite or a large overjet that is worth treating.
Why it happens
It is usually down to the way the jaws and teeth have grown, and habits like long-term thumb or dummy sucking can add to it. It often runs in families.
Why it is worth treating
Left alone, a deep bite or big overjet can wear down teeth, strain the jaw and gums over the years, make front teeth more prone to knocks, and knock confidence. Correcting it protects the teeth as well as the smile.
How we treat it
Braces, clear or ceramic braces, or clear aligners move the teeth into a better bite, sometimes with small elastics. In growing children we can also guide the jaws. Every plan is specialist-designed for the individual bite.
Not sure which you have? A free Smile Assessment will tell you exactly, and whether treatment is even needed. We treat overbites in children, teens and adults, with braces, clear and ceramic braces or clear aligners.
Clear pricing, no surprises
The first step is a free Smile Assessment, in the clinic or over Zoom. A full diagnostic work-up with a written plan and exact quote is $390. Simple cosmetic treatment from $7,900, comprehensive specialist treatment from $9,900 with most cases around $10,400, all-inclusive of records, appliances, appointments, retainers and aftercare. Interest-free in-house plans work out around $60 to $76 a week, and family discounts apply for siblings.
Answered honestly
What is the difference between an overbite and an overjet?
They are often confused. An overbite is how much your upper front teeth overlap the lower ones vertically, so a deep overbite means the top teeth cover most of the bottom teeth. An overjet is how far the upper front teeth stick out horizontally, which is what people usually mean by protruding or buck teeth. You can have one or both, and a specialist orthodontist can tell you exactly which you have at a free Smile Assessment.
Does an overbite need to be treated?
A mild overbite is normal and healthy. A deep overbite or a large overjet is worth treating because it can wear down teeth, cause jaw and gum problems over time, and affect confidence. Whether treatment is needed is exactly what a specialist assessment is for, and there is no cost to find out.
How do you fix an overbite or overjet?
It depends on the case. Braces or clear aligners move the teeth into a better relationship, sometimes with elastics, and in growing children we can guide the jaws. In one Milk case a 13mm overjet was corrected with the removal of two upper premolars over about 30 months, and a deep 90 percent overbite was corrected in about 16 months. Every plan is designed by a specialist orthodontist for your specific bite.
How much does overbite treatment cost?
Simple cosmetic treatment starts from $7,900 and comprehensive specialist treatment from $9,900, all-inclusive of records, appliances, appointments, retainers and aftercare, including GST. Interest-free in-house plans work out around $60 to $76 a week, with a written quote after your assessment.
Is it too late to fix an overbite as an adult?
No. Teeth move at any age, and plenty of our patients are adults. Some jaw-based corrections are easier while a child is still growing, but the tooth alignment itself can be improved at any age with braces or clear aligners.
Find out exactly what your bite needs
A free 20 minute Smile Assessment, in the clinic or over Zoom. No referral needed, no obligation, just honest specialist advice on your overbite and the simplest way to fix it.
See more before and after results, or explore other conditions we treat.