Overbite: what it is and how to fix it

Page updated October 14, 2026. Medically reviewed by Dr. Abraham Thomas and Dr. Jennifer Loucks-Buren.

An overbite is when your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth more than they should, usually by more than 2 to 4 millimeters. In children it can often be fixed with orthodontics alone; adults are usually treated with braces or aligners, and severe cases may need jaw surgery as well. The cost depends on which of those you need.

What an overbite is

An overbite is a type of malocclusion, or "bad bite". Your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth more than they should (Cleveland Clinic). Some overlap is normal and necessary for healthy function; it becomes an overbite when the overlap is more than about 2 to 4 millimeters (Cleveland Clinic). People also call it a deep bite (AAO).

Overbite vs overjet vs underbite

These terms are easy to mix up, and they mean different things (Cleveland Clinic) (full comparison: overbite vs underbite):

What causes an overbite

Cleveland Clinic lists several causes (Cleveland Clinic):

• Genetics: traits such as jaw shape run in families and affect how teeth line up.
• Tongue-thrusting: the tongue pressing too far forward.
• Thumb-sucking or pacifier use past age 3.

The AAO adds that an overbite can also follow tooth loss (AAO).

Why it's worth fixing

A severe overbite isn't only about appearance. Left untreated, it can lead to oral health problems such as jaw pain, worn tooth enamel and gum disease (Cleveland Clinic), and the AAO says it may cause tooth wear or need restorative work later (AAO). Fixing it before that happens can avoid paying for dental repairs on top of orthodontics.

How an overbite is fixed in children

Children's bones are still growing and softer, and their teeth move more easily, so dentists can often fix an overbite in kids with orthodontics alone (Cleveland Clinic). Treatment can include braces, palate expanders used during growth spurts, and removing baby teeth to make room for adult teeth (Cleveland Clinic). The AAO recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7 (AAO), which can catch a developing overbite while growth can still help.

How an overbite is fixed in adults

Adults still benefit from orthodontic treatment, and sometimes it's all that's needed (Cleveland Clinic). Options include (Cleveland Clinic):

• Traditional or clear braces to move the teeth into place.
• Removing some teeth to give the others more room.
• Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) for severe cases where the jaws themselves are out of position.

The AAO says adults can correct an overbite with braces, clear aligners or sometimes surgery (AAO).

If your orthodontist suggests removing teeth to make room, see tooth extraction for braces.

Treatment options by age

How much it costs to fix an overbite

There's no single price for "fixing an overbite"; you pay for the treatment you need. Using published figures:

Can Invisalign fix an overbite? Clear aligners can treat some mild to moderate bite problems, but aren't an option for everyone (Cleveland Clinic), and the AAO says they typically treat light to moderate alignment issues (AAO). An orthodontist decides whether your overbite is suitable. Compare both on Invisalign vs braces, or estimate your price with the calculator.

How long it takes to fix an overbite

With braces, most people are in treatment for 12 to 24 months (AAO), and adult treatment can take slightly longer because adult bone changes more slowly (AAO). When jaw surgery is needed, the whole process, with braces before and after, usually takes 2 to 3 years (Cleveland Clinic). Children treated while still growing can sometimes be corrected with orthodontics alone (Cleveland Clinic).

Does insurance cover overbite treatment?

If your dental plan includes orthodontics, it usually pays a percentage or fixed amount up to a lifetime maximum (AAO); see dental insurance for braces. For children on Medicaid, braces are covered when they're medically necessary, which generally means a severe bite or alignment problem (National Health Law Program). Jaw surgery to correct a bite is billed to health insurance and is more likely to be covered when it's medically necessary rather than cosmetic (Healthline).

Keeping it fixed

After treatment, a retainer holds the teeth in their new positions. Cleveland Clinic says you'll likely wear it full-time for at least four to six months and then at night for the rest of your life (Cleveland Clinic). Skipping it lets teeth drift back toward where they started (AAO). See retainer costs.

If you're not ready for treatment yet

Cleveland Clinic suggests ways to reduce the risk of complications in the meantime, such as wearing a night guard if you thrust your tongue or grind your teeth while you sleep (Cleveland Clinic). For young children, it advises against traditional sippy cups with spill-proof valves, citing the ADA, because the sucking they require can cause dental development problems (Cleveland Clinic).

For parents: catching an overbite early

Because children's bones are still growing, an overbite is often easier to treat in childhood (Cleveland Clinic). Habits that can contribute, such as thumb-sucking or pacifier use past age 3 and tongue-thrusting (Cleveland Clinic), are worth raising with your dentist. The AAO recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7, often at no cost (AAO). See braces for kids and teens.

Signs of an overbite

The main sign is upper front teeth that cover too much of the lower front teeth when you bite down (Cleveland Clinic). A severe overbite is more noticeable than a mild one (Cleveland Clinic), and your dentist is usually the first to spot it, sometimes with X-rays, before referring you to an orthodontist (Cleveland Clinic).

Questions to ask

• How severe is my overbite, and is it the teeth, the jaw, or both?
• Can braces or aligners fix it alone, or would I need surgery?
• How long will treatment take, and what does the quote include?
• Does my insurance cover treatment for a bite problem?