Overbite Treatment in Frisco & The Colony, TX
Diagnosis, Causes & Correction by Dr. Baharvand & Dr. Kang — Braces, Angel aligners,Invisalign & Growth Appliances
📞 972.538.4343
Overbite correction at Elate Orthodontics — diagnosed with full digital records and treated based on the underlying cause
Overbite — Frisco & The Colony, TX
When Top Teeth Sit Too Far Forward, the Whole Bite Pays the Price
An overbite is a bite condition where the upper front teeth extend significantly past the lower front teeth, either horizontally (called overjet) or vertically (called deep bite, where the uppers cover too much of the lowers). A small amount of overbite is normal and protective. Excessive overbite is a different story. It can cause speech problems, increase the risk of dental trauma to the front teeth, accelerate enamel wear, and signal an underlying skeletal jaw size discrepancy that becomes harder to address with age.
At Elate Orthodontics, Dr. Kevin Baharvand and Dr. Julia Kang treat overbites in children, teens, and adults across Frisco, The Colony, Prosper, and Little Elm. The treatment plan depends entirely on what is causing the overbite and the patient’s stage of growth. A 9-year-old with an overbite caused by a small lower jaw is treated very differently from a 35-year-old with the same bite. We diagnose first, then treat.
As an ABO board-certified practice with a published clinician on staff, our diagnostic approach reflects the depth of training that distinguishes specialty orthodontic care. We take comprehensive records at every consultation and explain exactly what we see using your own digital scans, panoramic X-rays, and clinical photos.
The Two Types of Overbite (And Why the Difference Matters)
Overjet (Horizontal Overbite)
Overjet is the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth when biting down. A normal overjet is around 2 millimeters. Anything significantly larger means the upper teeth are angled or positioned too far forward relative to the lowers. This is often what people mean when they say “buck teeth.”
Excessive overjet is most commonly caused by a small or recessed lower jaw, but it can also result from thumb sucking, prolonged pacifier use, or a tongue thrust habit. Children with significant overjet are at much higher risk of dental trauma if they fall or are hit in the mouth, which is one reason early treatment is often recommended.
Deep Bite (Vertical Overbite)
A deep bite is the vertical version of overbite. Instead of measuring how far forward the upper teeth sit, deep bite measures how much the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth when biting down. In severe cases, the upper teeth can completely hide the lower teeth, and the lower teeth may bite into the gum tissue behind the uppers.
Deep bites accelerate enamel wear, can cause tissue trauma, and are commonly associated with TMJ strain and jaw fatigue. Many adults with chronic jaw clenching or unexplained tooth wear have an undiagnosed deep bite as a contributing factor.
Many patients have both excessive overjet and deep bite at the same time. Diagnosing which component is dominant determines the treatment approach.
Underlying Causes
What Causes an Overbite?
The most common cause of significant overbite is a size or position mismatch between the upper and lower jaws, usually a smaller or set-back lower jaw. This is genetic and develops during growth. The earlier it is identified, the more effectively it can be addressed using growth modification appliances.
Sometimes the jaws are well-positioned but the teeth themselves are tipped forward, creating an overbite that looks skeletal but is actually dental in origin. Dental overbites are usually simpler to correct with braces or clear aligners and do not require growth modification or surgery.
Prolonged thumb or pacifier use past age 4 to 5 can push the upper front teeth forward and prevent the lower jaw from developing properly, creating both dental and skeletal components of an overbite. Stopping the habit is the first step. Once the habit has stopped, orthodontic correction can address the structural changes.
When the tongue pushes forward against the front teeth during swallowing or at rest, it can drive the upper teeth forward and contribute to overbite. Tongue thrust often coexists with overbite and must be addressed (often with myofunctional therapy) for treatment results to be stable.
When back teeth are missing or have been lost without replacement, the front teeth often take on more of the bite force and gradually shift, deepening the bite over time. This is a common cause of acquired deep bite in adults and a reason replacing missing teeth matters beyond aesthetics.
Jaw shape, tooth size, and bite patterns are strongly inherited. If one or both parents had a significant overbite, their children have a higher likelihood of developing one as well. This is why we often recommend evaluating siblings of patients with skeletal overbites.
Why an Untreated Overbite Is Worth Addressing
An overbite is not just cosmetic. The bite is the foundation of how the teeth function, how the jaw joints (TMJs) work, and how forces are distributed across the entire dentition. When the bite is off, the consequences accumulate over years and decades.
Many of the patients we see in their 30s, 40s, and 50s with worn-down front teeth, chipped enamel, or chronic jaw pain had a deep bite or excessive overjet that was never corrected in childhood. The damage is cumulative and largely preventable.
What Happens If Overbite Is Left Untreated
Accelerated wear and chipping of the front teeth
Increased risk of dental trauma from falls, sports, or accidents (especially in children with significant overjet)
Tissue trauma from the lower teeth biting into the gums behind the upper teeth (deep bite)
Speech difficulties, particularly with sounds that require front teeth contact
TMJ strain, jaw fatigue, and chronic clenching
Self-consciousness about smile appearance, which can affect social and professional confidence
More limited and more invasive treatment options if the overbite is allowed to persist into adulthood, especially for skeletal cases
Treatment Approach
How We Treat Overbite at Every Age
The right treatment for an overbite depends almost entirely on the patient’s age and stage of growth. Treatment options expand significantly during childhood and adolescence and become more limited in adulthood. This is why early evaluation matters.
Children (Ages 7–10)
In growing children, overbites caused by a small lower jaw can often be addressed with growth modification appliances that encourage the lower jaw to develop forward. This is Phase 1 (early interceptive) treatment. The window is narrow but powerful: catching a skeletal overbite during active growth often eliminates the need for jaw surgery later.
Not every child with an overbite needs Phase 1 treatment. Many do better with watchful waiting until permanent teeth erupt. We evaluate each case individually and tell you honestly when early treatment is needed and when it can wait.
Teens (Ages 11–17)
The teen years are the prime treatment window for most overbites. Permanent teeth are in, growth is still active, and patients respond well to both braces and clear aligners. For teens with skeletal overbites, growth modification can still be effective during the pubertal growth spurt, often combined with braces.
For dental overbites in teens, traditional braces, clear braces, or Invisalign Teen all produce excellent results. Treatment time is typically 18 to 24 months for most cases.
Adults
In adults, growth modification is no longer an option since the jaws are fully developed. Dental overbites in adults are highly treatable with braces or clear aligners, often with no need for extractions. Mild to moderate skeletal overbites can also be camouflaged orthodontically with strategic tooth movement.
For severe skeletal overbites in adults where camouflage will not produce a stable result, we coordinate with an oral surgeon for orthognathic (jaw) surgery combined with orthodontic treatment. This is reserved for cases where the bite cannot be corrected by tooth movement alone.
Treatment Options
Treatments We Use to Correct Overbite
Traditional Braces
The most versatile option for moderate to severe overbites. Braces give us precise control over tooth movement and work well in combination with elastics that bring the lower jaw forward and the upper teeth back. The gold standard for complex bite corrections.
Clear Braces
Same effective mechanics as traditional braces with tooth-colored brackets that blend with natural enamel. A great option for teens and adults who want the predictability of braces with less visibility.
Invisalign
Clear aligners can correct mild to moderate overbites in cooperative patients. Modern Invisalign protocols include precision attachments and elastic-driven mechanics that effectively reduce overbite. Best for dental cases rather than severe skeletal ones.
Angel Aligners
A clear aligner system we offer at Elate Orthodontics for appropriate cases. Like other clear aligner brands, Angel Aligners can correct mild to moderate dental overbites with a treatment plan tailored to each patient.
Growth Modification Appliances
For growing children and teens with skeletal overbites caused by a small lower jaw, functional appliances encourage the lower jaw to develop forward during active growth. These are typically used in Phase 1 treatment or alongside braces during the pubertal growth spurt.
Orthognathic Surgery (Severe Cases)
For adults with severe skeletal overbites where camouflage treatment will not produce a stable, healthy bite, we coordinate with an oral surgeon for jaw surgery combined with orthodontic treatment. This is uncommon and reserved for cases that truly require it. We will tell you honestly if your case falls into this category.
AAO Recommendation
Catch Skeletal Overbites During Growth
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Skeletal overbites caused by a small lower jaw are one of the most important reasons for this recommendation. Caught at age 7 to 10, these cases respond beautifully to growth modification appliances. Caught at age 25, the same case may require jaw surgery to correct fully.
Most children evaluated at age 7 do not need treatment yet. We are simply identifying which children should be monitored, which will benefit from Phase 1, and which can wait until adolescence for full treatment.
See Real Outcomes
Overbite Cases From Our Practice
Our before-and-after gallery includes real overbite corrections at Elate Orthodontics, ranging from mild dental cases corrected with clear aligners to significant skeletal cases corrected with growth modification and braces. Each case shows the diagnosis, the appliances used, and the final result.
Common Questions
Overbite FAQ
Overbite refers to vertical overlap (how much the upper teeth cover the lower teeth when biting down). Overjet refers to horizontal distance (how far the upper teeth stick out in front of the lower teeth). The two often coexist but are different measurements and can require different treatment approaches. The general public uses “overbite” to mean both, which is why we always specify which one we are addressing in your treatment plan.
Yes, for mild to moderate dental overbites in cooperative patients. Modern Invisalign protocols include precision attachments and elastic-driven mechanics that can effectively reduce overbite. For severe skeletal overbites or cases requiring growth modification, braces combined with other appliances usually produce more predictable results. We will give you an honest assessment at your consultation.
Some overbites in young children improve naturally as the permanent teeth come in and the lower jaw catches up to the upper jaw during growth. Others worsen over time, especially when caused by a true skeletal discrepancy or persistent habits like thumb sucking. The only way to know which category your child falls into is an orthodontic evaluation. The age-7 evaluation is designed exactly for this.
Treatment time depends on the severity, the cause, and the appliances used. Most overbite corrections take 18 to 24 months. Phase 1 treatment in young children typically lasts 9 to 12 months, with a second phase in adolescence if needed. Adult cases involving skeletal corrections or surgery may take longer.
For the vast majority of patients, no. Most overbites can be corrected with braces or clear aligners alone, sometimes combined with elastics or growth modification appliances. Jaw surgery is reserved for adults with severe skeletal discrepancies where orthodontic treatment alone cannot produce a stable, healthy bite. We evaluate this carefully and only recommend surgery when it is truly indicated.
Most PPO dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits that apply to overbite treatment, especially when there is a documented functional concern. Coverage varies by plan. We are in-network with most major PPO carriers and offer flexible financing through Cherry to make treatment accessible regardless of insurance coverage.
Why Frisco & The Colony Families Choose Elate Orthodontics for Overbite Correction
Overbite is one of the most common conditions we treat, but no two cases are identical. Some are simple. Some are complex skeletal cases that require careful timing of growth modification, elastic mechanics, and finishing. The difference between a good outcome and a great one is the depth of the diagnosis and the experience of the orthodontist guiding the case.
Dr. Baharvand and Dr. Kang are a husband-and-wife orthodontic team based in Frisco, with three convenient locations serving families across Frisco, The Colony, Prosper, and Little Elm. Dr. Baharvand is ABO board-certified and a published clinician whose work has appeared in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
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Our Locations
5605 FM 423, Suite 600
Frisco, TX 75036
FM 423 & Lebanon Rd — next to the UPS Store
4713 Highway 121, Suite 304
The Colony, TX 75056
FM 423 & Hwy 121 — next to Ross
2155 University Dr, Suite 110
Frisco, TX 75033
On 380 across from Cook Children’s Medical Center Prosper
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00am–5:00pm | 972.538.4343
Concerned About an Overbite? Let’s Take a Look.
Free consultations at all three Elate Orthodontics locations include a complete diagnostic workup: digital scans, panoramic X-rays, clinical photos, and a clear explanation of the type and cause of your overbite. No pressure, no surprises, no commitment to treatment.
Also see: All Conditions We Treat | All Treatments | Before & After | Meet Dr. B & Dr. Kang