Elastics: Elastics use rubber bands in tandem with traditional braces to pull the lower jaw forward, bringing it to proper alignment with the upper jaw over time. Typically, elastics are used to treat mild-to-severe “overbites” and can also be used in tandem with headgear, surgery, or tooth extraction where needed.
Headgear: Designed to treat more severe “overbites” in younger children, headgear stabilizes the jaw and teeth to correct misalignment while the jaw is still developing. It is typically worn for 12-14 hours per day for 12-18 months, eliminating “overbite” issues without needing major surgery.
Jaw Surgery: For older patients with fully formed jaws that cannot benefit from headgear, jaw surgery provides an especially effective option for curing skeletal “overbites”. This involves surgically separating the jawbone and pulling the chin forward, aligning the lower and upper teeth.
Tooth extraction: Tooth extraction is a viable solution for patients with dental “overbites” caused by tooth crowding. By removing the teeth that are pushing the teeth out of alignment, orthodontists can create the space necessary to eliminate the “overbite”.
Invisalign: With Invisalign, patients with dental “overbites” caused by misalignments can get the
same benefits from braces without many downsides. Invisalign aligners are effective at gradually moving teeth into the desired positions, which can help correct the “overbite”, all in a conspicuous, convenient package.