Can Aligners Fix Overjet?

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Can Clear Aligners Fix an Overjet?

An overjet—commonly referred to as “buck teeth”—occurs when the upper front teeth project too far forward over the lower front teeth. While a slight overjet is normal, a pronounced one can affect both appearance and function, leading to bite issues, speech problems, and even increased risk of dental trauma. Yes, clear aligners like Invisalign can be effective in reducing overjet, particularly when the condition is caused by dental misalignment rather than skeletal discrepancies. As with any orthodontic treatment, success depends on the severity of the case and patient compliance.

What Is Overjet?

Overjet refers to the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth. It’s different from an overbite, which measures vertical overlap. In cases of overjet:

• The upper teeth stick out farther than the lower teeth

• The lips may not close comfortably over the teeth

• The bite may feel unbalanced

• There’s a higher risk of chipping or trauma to the front teeth

This condition can result from habits like thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or simply from the way the teeth and jaws developed.

How Clear Aligners Treat Overjet

Aligners work by applying gentle, controlled force to shift the teeth into better alignment. In overjet cases, aligners can:

• Move upper front teeth backward (retraction)

• Move lower front teeth forward (protrusion)

• Improve the way the upper and lower arches fit together

• Correct related spacing or crowding issues

A digital 3D scan is used to design a personalized treatment plan that guides the sequence and direction of tooth movement with precision.

Factors That Affect Treatment Success

Clear aligners are most effective for mild to moderate overjet caused by tooth misalignment. Treatment success depends on:

• Severity of the overjet

• Age of the patient (earlier treatment often produces faster results)

• Whether the overjet is dental or skeletal in origin

• Compliance—wearing aligners 20–22 hours a day as prescribed

• The need for attachments, elastics, or other auxiliary tools

In more severe cases—especially those caused by jawbone discrepancies—additional interventions like braces, growth modification, or even orthognathic surgery may be needed.

What to Expect During Treatment

Patients typically see results over 6 to 18 months, depending on case complexity. During the process:

• You’ll switch to a new set of aligners every 1–2 weeks

• Attachments may be placed on certain teeth to aid in movement

• Progress will be monitored through regular check-ins or remote tracking

• Retainers will be needed post-treatment to maintain the new alignment

Dr. Bak’s Expert Approach to Overjet Correction

With over 25 years of orthodontic experience, Dr. Bak Nguyen uses advanced 3D modeling to evaluate and treat overjet cases with aligners whenever appropriate. His personalized treatment planning helps ensure safe, efficient, and predictable results, even for patients with complex bite needs.

Book a free virtual consultation to learn more about your case, its treatment time and cost with Dr Bak Nguyen (the real one).

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