Dental versus skeletal
The same visible bite can arise from tooth positions, jaw relationships or both, which is why records and examination matter.
01 · Wonder · Kamloops
Overbite and underbite are not mirror-image problems
An overbite describes vertical overlap of the front teeth. An underbite generally means lower teeth sit ahead of upper teeth. Both can range from tooth-position problems to larger jaw relationships.
The plain answer
Appliance choice depends on the source and severity of the bite discrepancy.
A deep overbite may involve front-tooth angulation, eruption, arch shape or jaw growth. An underbite may involve tooth compensation, a lower jaw that shifts forward or a skeletal difference. Treatment options change with age, growth remaining and the degree of correction required.
Ask whether the problem is mainly dental, functional or skeletal; whether growth affects timing; what bite change is realistically expected; and what happens if the preferred appliance cannot deliver it.
What matters
Three things to evaluate before acting
Growth
A growing child and a non-growing adult may require different timing and treatment options for a similar-looking bite.
Function
Tooth wear, trauma risk, chewing pattern and a jaw shift can influence urgency and goals beyond appearance.
01
Where this fits
Recognize signs that justify an orthodontic assessment.
The Wonder stage is about noticing, not diagnosing. Crowding, spacing, bite changes, tooth wear, difficulty cleaning, or relapse after past treatment can justify an assessment. In children, timing matters because tooth eruption and jaw growth change what can be observed and when treatment may be useful.
Invisalign may be used for selected dental bite corrections and can incorporate attachments or elastics. It cannot make every jaw discrepancy disappear, and significant skeletal problems may require orthodontic specialist and surgical assessment.
Questions people ask
Useful answers before a consultation
Can Invisalign correct an overbite?
It can correct many selected overbite problems, but the achievable change depends on cause, severity, planned mechanics and wear.
Can Invisalign correct an underbite?
Some dental underbites can be treated with aligners. Larger skeletal underbites may need specialist assessment and sometimes surgery.
Does every deep bite need treatment?
No. The decision depends on severity, tooth wear, gum trauma, function, stability and patient goals.
References
Sources for this topic
External sources can change. Verify current regulatory, professional, manufacturer and local information at the linked publisher; these sources do not replace an individualized examination.
Presented by Blue Bird Dental, Hillside Dental and River City Dental. Last reviewed September 5, 2026. This content is educational and is not a substitute for an individualized examination, diagnosis or treatment recommendation. For pain, swelling, trauma, breathing difficulty, uncontrolled bleeding, infection or an appliance causing injury, contact a local dentist, treating provider or emergency service directly.