If your teeth don’t quite line up when you bite down, you’re not alone. Overbites and underbites are two of the most common types of malocclusion that orthodontists see, and both can usually be corrected with the right treatment plan.
This guide covers what causes an overbite or underbite, how they’re diagnosed, and the treatment options available in Auckland.
What Is an Overbite?
An overbite is when your upper front teeth sit significantly further forward than your lower front teeth. A small amount of overlap is normal, but a deep overbite can cause your lower teeth to bite into the roof of your mouth or your gums, leading to wear, discomfort, and jaw strain over time.
What Is an Underbite?
An underbite is the opposite: your lower jaw and lower front teeth sit further forward than your upper teeth. Underbites can affect chewing, speech, and in more pronounced cases, the shape of the jaw and face.
What Causes Overbites and Underbites?
Bite problems usually develop from a combination of factors, including:
- Genetics: jaw size and shape are often inherited
- Childhood habits: prolonged thumb sucking, dummy use, or tongue thrusting
- Early tooth loss: baby teeth lost too early can affect how permanent teeth come through
- Jaw growth patterns: the upper and lower jaw don’t always grow at matching rates
Most overbites and underbites are picked up early by a dentist or orthodontist, which is one reason an early orthodontic check for children is recommended around age seven.
Can Overbites and Underbites Be Fixed?
Yes. Both are treatable at almost any age, though treatment approach and timeline depend on how severe the bite discrepancy is and whether your jaw is still growing.
Mild to moderate cases are usually corrected with braces or clear aligners alone, gradually guiding the teeth into a better bite relationship.
Cases involving jaw growth (typically in children and teenagers) may respond well to functional appliances, which help guide jaw development while it’s still underway.
Severe skeletal cases in adults, where the jaw itself is significantly misaligned, may require a combination of orthodontics and jaw surgery. This is uncommon and only recommended after a full specialist assessment.
Treatment Options for Overbite and Underbite
Braces
Metal or ceramic braces remain the most reliable option for correcting bite problems, particularly moderate to severe cases. They give an orthodontist precise control over how each tooth and the bite as a whole moves into position.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligner systems, like Invisalign, can correct many overbite and underbite cases, particularly milder ones, without the visibility of braces. Not every bite correction case is suited to aligners — your specialist will assess whether your case can be treated this way.
Functional Appliances
For growing children and teenagers, functional appliances work with natural jaw growth to correct the bite relationship before it becomes a bigger issue in adulthood. Treating bite problems early can sometimes avoid the need for more complex treatment later.
Jaw Surgery (Severe Cases Only)
In a small number of adult cases where the jaw itself is significantly out of alignment, orthognathic (jaw) surgery combined with braces may be recommended. This is only considered after non-surgical options have been ruled out.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix an Overbite or Underbite?
Cost depends on the severity of your bite problem and the treatment type recommended. As a general guide, braces range from $6,000 to $10,000, but more complex bite corrections may be on the higher end of this range, as they involve longer treatment times and closer monitoring. Every treatment plan at Shakespeare Orthodontics is individually quoted after a specialist assessment, and our fees are all-inclusive covering consultations, adjustments, refinements, and retainers. See our full cost breakdown here.
Payment Plans
We offer interest-free payment plans across all four Auckland clinics, so treatment can start without paying the full cost upfront.
Why See a Specialist Orthodontist for a Bite Correction
Overbites and underbites involve more than straightening teeth — they involve correcting how your upper and lower jaws meet. A registered specialist orthodontist has completed additional years of training specifically in tooth movement and jaw development, which matters for getting a bite correction right the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can aligners fix an overbite or underbite?
In many mild to moderate cases, yes. Clear aligners can move teeth into a better bite relationship, but not every case is suited to aligners alone — particularly more severe or skeletal underbites. A specialist assessment will confirm whether aligners are a suitable option for your bite.
Can you fix an overbite or underbite naturally, without treatment?
No. Correcting a bite requires applying steady, controlled pressure to move the teeth and jaw over time, which is only achieved through orthodontic appliances such as braces, aligners, or functional appliances. There is no home exercise or natural method that corrects an overbite or underbite.
Does an overbite or underbite get worse if left untreated?
It can. Left uncorrected, a significant overbite or underbite may lead to increased tooth wear, gum irritation, jaw discomfort, and in some cases, worsening jaw alignment over time. Not every case needs treatment, which is why a specialist assessment is the best way to know if yours does.
Are overbites and underbites genetic?
Often, yes. Jaw size and shape are largely inherited, so a parent’s bite pattern can be passed on to their child. That said, habits like prolonged thumb sucking or dummy use can also contribute, regardless of genetics.
Book a Consultation in Auckland
If you think you have an overbite, underbite, or another bite concern, the first step is a free consultation with one of our specialist orthodontists. You’ll receive a full assessment, a clear explanation of your options, and a transparent, all-inclusive quote.
Book your free consultation at one of our Takapuna, Epsom, Howick, or Warkworth clinics today.
