Overbite Treatment UK

Not always. A small overbite is considered normal — the upper front teeth typically overlap the lower front teeth by 1–3mm vertically. Treatment becomes relevant when the overbite is deep enough to cause the lower teeth to bite into the gum behind the upper teeth, cause significant tooth wear, affect confidence about the smile, or create jaw discomfort. A clinician can measure the depth of your overbite and advise whether it falls within a normal range or requires correction.

Clear aligners can treat mild-to-moderate overbites, particularly those that are primarily dental in origin — where the teeth, rather than the jaw, are the main cause. Aligners can intrude (push down) the back teeth and apply controlled forces to reduce overbite depth. More severe overbites, or those with a significant skeletal component, often respond better to fixed braces which can apply more targeted forces, sometimes alongside bite turbos or other auxiliaries.

Overbite correction can subtly change the lower face appearance, particularly the relationship between the upper and lower lips and the chin position. Reducing a deep overbite may allow the lower jaw to rotate slightly forward, improving the profile for some patients. Significant skeletal changes are more likely in growing patients and in cases requiring jaw surgery. For most adult orthodontic cases, the aesthetic changes are modest but can still be meaningful.

Treatment time for an overbite depends on the depth of the bite and whether other issues are being corrected simultaneously. A mild overbite alongside general alignment can often be treated within 12–18 months. A deeper overbite requiring significant bite intrusion or jaw repositioning may take 18–24 months. Skeletal cases requiring surgical correction have longer overall timelines including pre-surgical orthodontic preparation. Your orthodontist will estimate treatment time after a full assessment.

Overbites are often hereditary — jaw size and tooth position patterns tend to run in families. Contributing factors can include thumb sucking or dummy use in early childhood, which can increase the depth of the overbite. In some adults, overbites deepen over time due to tooth wear or forward drift of the lower front teeth.

A significant overbite can cause the lower front teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth or the gum behind the upper front teeth, causing discomfort or gum damage over time. Deep overbites can also contribute to excess wear on the lower front teeth. More severe overbites carry these longer-term risks if left uncorrected.

NHS orthodontic treatment is available for under-18s in England who meet the IOTN grade 4 or 5 threshold. A deep overbite — particularly one where the lower teeth bite into the palatal gum — can contribute to a grade 4 or 5 DHC score, especially when combined with crowding or a large overjet. Adults are not routinely eligible for NHS orthodontics unless the overbite is part of a case requiring jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery). Your dentist can assess whether your overbite meets the clinical threshold and make a referral if it does.