An overbite is a bite where your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth vertically when the back teeth are closed. A small overbite is normal and healthy yet a deep overbite that covers too much of the lower teeth can wear enamel, strain the jaw, plus injure the gums. This guide explains what an overbite is, how a normal overbite differs from a deep bite, what causes it, plus the real correction options. It draws on current research and on cases treated at International Plus in Istanbul.
Key Takeaways
- A normal overbite covers about 2 to 4 millimeters of the lower front teeth while a deep overbite passes roughly 4 to 6 millimeters (Cleveland Clinic, 2024).
- Overbite is vertical overlap whereas an overjet is horizontal protrusion so the two terms are not interchangeable.
- The main causes are genetics, a short lower jaw, teeth grinding, missing back teeth, plus childhood oral habits, backed by a 2016 analysis of deep bite cases (Bhateja et al., 2016).
- A deep overbite can wear teeth, injure the palate, plus strain the jaw joint; a 2025 study linked it to altered condyle position (Chen et al., 2025).
- At International Plus, a Diagnostic Council measures overbite depth on CBCT and intraoral scans before choosing correction or restoration and only consented patient results are shown.
What Is an Overbite?
An overbite is the vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth when the back teeth meet. Almost everyone has one and roughly 2 to 4 millimeters of overlap is considered normal and even necessary for the teeth to function together.
Dentists file the trait under malocclusion, the umbrella term for a bad bite. A 2018 systematic review of global data found malocclusion traits are among the most common dental findings worldwide so an overbite by itself is not unusual (Alhammadi et al., 2018). The concern begins when the overlap grows deep enough that the lower teeth vanish behind the upper ones or press into the palate. At International Plus, cosmetic dentist Dr. Eren Gülbahar separates a dental overbite, where only the teeth tip inward from a skeletal one, where the jaw relationship drives the depth because that reading decides the whole plan. Each bite is measured on records taken the same day rather than judged from a photo.
Normal Overbite vs Deep Overbite: How Much Is Too Much?
A normal overbite sits around 2 to 4 millimeters while a deep overbite, also called a deep bite or severe overbite, starts once the overlap passes 4 to 6 millimeters and the upper teeth cover most of the lower ones. Depth, not appearance, sets the line.
The deepest form is an impinging overbite, where the lower incisors bite into the gum behind the upper teeth or into the palate itself. A 2014 study of deep overbite patients traced the pattern to both skeletal and dentoalveolar features rather than a single cause (Fattahi et al., 2014). Our clinicians record the exact depth in millimeters because a 3 millimeter overbite and a 7 millimeter one lead to very different plans. Age matters as well: the bite tends to deepen over the years so a mild overbite in a young adult is worth watching before it becomes a deep bite that damages teeth.
Overbite vs Overjet: What Is the Difference?
Overbite is vertical overlap while overjet is horizontal protrusion so the two describe different problems even though people mix them up. Overbite measures how far the upper teeth cover the lower teeth from top to bottom while overjet measures how far the upper teeth stick out in front.
Many people say overbite when they actually mean overjet, the trait behind protruding buck teeth. An underbite is the reverse again, where the lower teeth sit ahead of the upper ones. All three belong to the malocclusion family and can appear together in the same mouth yet each is measured and treated on its own terms. Reading them correctly changes the route so our team records both the vertical overbite and the horizontal overjet on the same scans. The table below sets the three apart at a glance.
| Bite type | Direction of the problem | Common name |
|—|—|—|
| Overbite | Vertical overlap of front teeth | Deep bite |
| Overjet | Horizontal protrusion of upper teeth | Buck teeth |
| Underbite | Lower teeth sit in front | Underbite |
Bottom line: overbite is about depth, overjet is about how far teeth stick out, plus an underbite means the lower jaw leads.
What Causes an Overbite?
An overbite is caused mainly by genetics, a short lower jaw, teeth grinding, missing back teeth, plus childhood oral habits. Inherited jaw and tooth size set the starting point and other factors then deepen the bite over time.
Most deep bites run in families because the size and shape of the jaws are inherited and a lower jaw that grows short leaves the upper teeth overlapping too far. Grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, build strong closing muscles that press the bite deeper and losing lower back teeth lets the bite collapse much like a shortened jaw. A 2016 analysis of deep bite cases confirmed that both skeletal and dental factors feed the pattern (Bhateja et al., 2016). Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use past age 3 can tip the front teeth outward and since the bite naturally deepens with age, an untreated overbite often looks worse a decade later. Knowing which factor leads the case guides prevention in children and treatment choice in adults.
Health Effects of a Deep Overbite
Beyond appearance, a deep overbite can wear the enamel, strain the jaw joint, plus flatten the side profile while also injuring the gums and palate. Plenty of mild overbites cause no trouble so treatment is a personal choice but a deep bite asks the front teeth to do work they were never built for.
The lower incisors in a deep bite grind against the back of the upper teeth. This friction strips enamel and leaves the tooth open to decay and sensitivity. An impinging bite drives the lower teeth into the palate and can trigger sores or gum recession behind the upper front teeth. A deep overbite also loads the jaw joint unevenly and a 2025 study linked deep overbite patterns to altered condyle position inside the joint (Chen et al., 2025), which helps explain the jaw ache, headaches, plus the clicking some patients describe. A pronounced skeletal overbite can shorten the lower third of the face and create a receding chin on the side profile. In our practice we flag heavy enamel wear early because worn teeth are far harder to rebuild than to protect.
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How to Fix an Overbite: Treatment Options
Overbite correction relies on moving the teeth with braces or clear aligners, guiding jaw growth in children, plus adding jaw surgery only when the case is skeletal and severe. The right route depends on whether the overbite is dental or skeletal and how deep it runs.
Braces handle the widest range and can level a deep bite curve with fine control and a 2022 randomized trial found that both bite turbos and reverse curve of Spee archwires open a deep overbite effectively (Al-Zoubi et al., 2022). Clear aligners suit many dental overbites and use attachments with elastics to intrude the front teeth. When years of grinding have shortened the teeth, our restorative team may rebuild lost height with full ceramic crown restorations once the bite is stable as in a real 28 unit zirconia smile makeover and the target is planned first on a digital smile design preview technology session. A truly skeletal deep bite in an adult may need orthognathic surgery alongside braces.
| Option | Best suited for | Notes |
|—|—|—|
| Braces with bite turbos | Moderate to severe deep bite | Levels the curve, works at any age |
| Clear aligners | Mild to moderate dental overbite | Attachments and elastics assist |
| Restorative crowns | Teeth worn down by a deep bite | Only after the bite is stable |
| Jaw surgery with braces | Severe skeletal overbite in adults | Repositions the jaw itself |
Bottom line: braces and aligners correct the bite while crowns restore what a deep bite wore down once the position holds steady.
Can Invisalign Fix an Overbite?
Clear aligners such as Invisalign can fix many dental overbites, moving and intruding the front teeth with attachments and elastics. They perform best for mild to moderate depth, where the teeth rather than the jaw create the overlap.
A 2025 systematic review reported that clear aligners reduce deep bite predictably in well chosen cases though their accuracy drops as the correction gets larger (Husain et al., 2025). That finding matches the honest limit of the tool. Clear aligners handle many dental overbites well but they are not the right choice for a severe skeletal deep bite because shifting the crowns alone cannot reposition a short lower jaw. In our practice we prefer aligners for adults with a moderate, dental overbite who want a discreet option and we add braces or surgery when scans reveal a skeletal cause. The bite is checked on records first so the plan matches the anatomy rather than the request.
Overbite Correction in Children Versus Adults
Children often benefit from early, growth guided correction while adults move the teeth or restore what the bite wore down. Timing changes what is possible because a growing jaw can be steered in ways an adult jaw cannot.
Orthodontists suggest a first evaluation around age 7 when the jaws are still developing and an emerging deep bite is easier to influence. Early appliances can guide the lower jaw and often reduce the need for extractions or surgery later. Correcting a deep bite early carries a social benefit too and a 2020 systematic review found a link between visible malocclusion and bullying in children (Tristão et al., 2020). In adults the jaws no longer grow so a dental overbite is corrected by repositioning the teeth and a skeletal one may need surgery. Cosmetic shortcuts that grind healthy teeth to hide a bite problem carry their own risks, which our guide to the truth about Turkey teeth explains. In our practice we stabilize the bite before any cosmetic step such as a complete Hollywood Smile makeover because a smile built on an uncontrolled deep bite does not last.
Before any cosmetic work, our Diagnostic Council reviews CBCT and intraoral scans so the plan matches the teeth rather than a photo and only consented, unretouched patient results are ever published. Whether a patient wants the bite corrected or a fuller change like understanding what a Hollywood Smile involves or a complete smile makeover, the bite is confirmed stable first. International Plus combines official Ministry of Health authorization, a 4.8/5 rating from 5,504+ verified reviews, plus more than 200,000 patients treated from over 140 countries, giving orthodontic and restorative dentistry in Istanbul a credible, verifiable home. Individual results vary and a personalized consultation confirms what your teeth and jaw can safely achieve.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an overbite?
An overbite is the vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth when the back teeth are closed. Around 2 to 4 millimeters of overlap is normal and healthy. A deep overbite past roughly 4 to 6 millimeters, can wear enamel, injure the gums, plus strain the jaw.
What is the difference between an overbite and an overjet?
An overbite is vertical, describing how far the upper teeth cover the lower teeth from top to bottom. An overjet is horizontal, describing how far the upper teeth stick out in front, the trait behind buck teeth. The two often appear together but are measured and treated as separate problems.
How deep does an overbite have to be to need treatment?
A normal overbite covers about 2 to 4 millimeters of the lower teeth. Correction is usually considered past 4 to 6 millimeters or sooner if the lower teeth reach the palate or the front teeth wear unevenly. A clinical exam with scans confirms the exact depth.
Can Invisalign fix an overbite?
Clear aligners such as Invisalign can correct many dental overbites and use attachments with elastics to intrude the front teeth. They suit mild to moderate cases where the teeth cause the overlap. A severe skeletal deep bite, driven by a short lower jaw, usually needs braces or jaw surgery instead.
Can adults correct an overbite?
Yes. Adults correct a dental overbite by moving the teeth with braces or clear aligners and a skeletal overbite may need surgery combined with orthodontics. Since the jaws no longer grow, treatment can take a little longer than in children but the results are stable and discreet options are widely available.
Reviewed by Dr. Eren Gülbahar
References
- Alhammadi MS, et al. Dental Press J Orthod. 2018. PMC6340198
- Fattahi H, et al. J Dent (Tehran). 2014. PMC4281184
- Bhateja NK, et al. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2016. PMID: 28712211
- Chen Y, et al. Cranio. 2025. PMID: 36154613
- Al-Zoubi EM, et al. Angle Orthod. 2022. PMC8691468
- Husain F, et al. Clin Oral Investig. 2025. PMID: 40394411
- Tristão SKPC, et al. Prog Orthod. 2020. PMC7459069
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This content is written, reviewed, and approved by the International Plus Medical Review Board to ensure clinical accuracy and adherence to strict editorial standards. All medical information is regularly monitored, audited and updated in light of the latest scientific advancements.
However the information provided here is for general informational purposes only and cannot be used for self diagnosis or making individual health interpretations. Results of medical treatments depend on individual anatomy and the unique healing process of each patient. This information should not replace a personal consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. To understand the best options for your specific needs and to receive a personalized treatment plan, we invite you to book a free consultation with the expert medical team at International Plus.
I am a healthcare professional with over 4 years of experience in dentistry, specializing in prosthetic dental treatment and implant-based applications. Since 2024, I have been serving as chief physician, leading clinical management, team coordination, and international patient processes. With my B2-level English proficiency, I am able to communicate effectively with international patients. I am a patient-centered, innovative, and solution-oriented dentist who prioritizes patient satisfaction.
