Invisalign Question - Overbite - Dental Health Message Board

ljlucky22 · 09-07-2005, 08:20 AM

I had braces as a teenager but I dont think that they were left on long enough and I dont think my orthodontist was the greatest either (long story).

I am toying with getting braces again and was wondering whether invisalign was an option for correcting an overbite.

Any information would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

Christai77 · 09-07-2005, 08:23 AM

overbite is normal. your top teeth should hid about 2-3 mm of your bottom teeth when you close down. overjet of 1-3 mm is also normal. if you are more than that, then you are dealing with overjet not overbite. if your overbite covers more than a few mm of your bottom teeth you have a "deep bite" and then braces of any kind aren't going to help you.

as i kid i used to think my teeth were supposed to be edge to edge when i closed. nope, some overbite and overjet is normal.

ok then, let's get to invisline. yeah they look nice, however invisiline is limited in what it can do. it can not move teeth bodily in bone like braces. all invisiline can do is correct twisted teeth and also can tip teeth forward and back, but it can not move teeth in 3 dimensions as braces can, that's why invisiline is not for everyone.

it is hard to say what is right for you, b/c the terms involved are so convoluted and people inter change them unknowingly. best bet i think is to go to an orthodontist you trust and get an opinion.

ljlucky22 · 09-07-2005, 08:28 AM

Thanks for the info. And yes, now that you mention it, my dentist did say overjet....not overbite.

He did tell me that invisalign probably wouldnt work in my case but I was interested to see if anyone else had other experiences. My trust in orthos is tough based on my former experience as a teenager.

Thanks again!

Christai77 · 09-07-2005, 10:28 AM

if you have an over jet which means your top teeth stick out too far over your bottom teeth, pardon my crassness but buck toothed. it is important to determine why your teeth are like this. Is it because your lower jaw isn't as big as your upper one, what is called micronagthia. Or is it just because your front teeth are pushed out too far.

here's what might be able to be done (again ortho is best to ask)
1) have two upper teeth removed, and bring back your upper teeth. using braces.
2) have jaw surgery, they break your jaw, reset it in proper position, wire jaw shut for awhile to heal.

ljlucky22 · 09-07-2005, 01:30 PM

I must admit that I was a chronic thumbsucker when I was a kid and I dont think my first round of braces did the job they were supposed to do. I have also been told that my jaw should be reset if I want to fix the problem appropriately.

Thanks for the info - I will have to chat with my ortho about the right course of action.