Can Aligners Fix Teeth That Overlap?

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Can Clear Aligners Fix Overlapping Teeth?

Overlapping teeth are one of the most common forms of dental crowding. Whether they affect your front teeth or molars, overlapping can impact both your smile’s appearance and your ability to maintain proper oral hygiene. Yes, clear aligners are highly effective in correcting overlapping teeth. Through a series of custom-molded trays, aligners gently move each tooth into its proper place—creating space, improving alignment, and restoring balance to your bite.

What Causes Overlapping Teeth?

Teeth may overlap due to a variety of factors, such as:

• Lack of space in the jaw (dental crowding)

• Genetics (inherited jaw size or tooth size)

• Delayed loss of baby teeth

• Early eruption of adult teeth

• Previous dental work that didn’t address spacing

• Not wearing retainers after orthodontic treatment

In addition to affecting appearance, overlapping teeth can:

• Make brushing and flossing difficult

• Increase the risk of plaque buildup and decay

• Contribute to gum inflammation or periodontal disease

• Cause bite issues and jaw tension

• Lead to uneven wear or chipping of enamel

How Aligners Correct Overlapping Teeth

Clear aligners like Invisalign are designed to fix overlapping teeth through a precisely planned sequence of small movements. Here’s how they work:

1. A 3D digital scan is taken to capture your current alignment

2. A custom treatment plan is created to show how your teeth will move

3. A series of aligners are fabricated—each one slightly different

4. Aligners apply gentle, controlled pressure to shift your teeth apart and into alignment

5. Over time, the overlapping is resolved and spacing is optimized

In some cases, interproximal reduction (IPR)—a safe reshaping of enamel between crowded teeth—may be recommended to create additional space.

What to Expect During Treatment

• Treatment time: Usually 9 to 18 months, depending on severity

• Wear time: Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours per day

• Aligner changes: Every 1–2 weeks, under dental supervision

• Monitoring: Progress is tracked digitally or with in-office visits

• Retention: After treatment, retainers are essential to prevent relapse

The process is comfortable, discreet, and highly personalized.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Aligners work well for patients with:

• Mild to moderate overlapping of front teeth

• Crowded arches with slight rotation or tilting

• Previous orthodontic relapse

• Good oral hygiene and healthy gums

For severe overlap or skeletal discrepancies, your provider may recommend a combination of aligners and other orthodontic tools—or traditional braces in rare cases.

Dr. Bak’s Expertise in Treating Overlap with Aligners

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Bak Nguyen designs clear aligner plans that correct overlapping teeth with precision, comfort, and long-term stability. Using advanced 3D imaging and digital modeling, he ensures that each movement supports both function and aesthetics.

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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