Overbite Treatment in Shelby Township: How to Fix an Overbite
*For new patients only. Patients transferring from another orthodontist: $250 consultation fee, credited toward treatment if they start here.
Types of Overbite: Dental, Skeletal or Both
Dental overbite
The overlap comes from where the teeth sit.
Dental refers to the teeth.
Skeletal overbite
The overlap comes from the size or position of the upper or lower jaw.
Skeletal refers to the jaw bones.
Dental and skeletal
Both the teeth and the jaws play a part in the overlap.
This is also called a combined overbite.
Early Treatment for a Child’s Overbite
Dr. Fredal is an advocate of early treatment, also called Phase 1, when a child needs it. He decides not only how to treat but when treatment should begin. He weighs growth, dental development, skeletal relationships (how the jaws relate) and the goals of treatment. Fredal Orthodontics treats children from age 7.
What Is an Overbite?
Overbite and deep bite
An overbite is how far your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth from top to bottom. A deep bite is an overbite where the upper front teeth cover too much of the lower front teeth.
How Dr. Fredal looks at an overbite
Every case at Fredal Orthodontics is diagnosed in 3D with an i-CAT CBCT scan and an iTero digital scan. Dr. Fredal uses them to check the roots, the bone around them, how the jaws relate and the airway, not only the crowns (the visible parts) of the teeth.
What he finds can change his plan. Examples are whether to guide growth, use braces, Invisalign or both, or recommend surgery.
Overbites in adults
Fredal Orthodontics routinely treats complex adult cases. These include severe bite problems, orthodontic retreatment and orthodontic preparation for jaw surgery.
How to Fix an Overbite at Fredal Orthodontics
| Treatment | What It Is | At Fredal Orthodontics |
|---|---|---|
| Damon Ultima Braces | Passive self-ligating metal brackets that hold the wire without elastic ties | They use lightweight shape-memory wires. For comprehensive (full) braces, Dr. Fredal plans bracket positions in 3D with DIBS AI software. |
| Invisalign | Removable clear aligners | Invisalign and Invisalign Teen are offered, and Invisalign First for children in Phase 1. |
| Braces, Then Invisalign | Braces first for the hardest tooth movements, then Invisalign to finish | Not needed for every patient. Dr. Fredal decides case by case. |
| Herbst or MARA | Appliances worn inside the mouth | Dr. Fredal prefers the Herbst and also uses the MARA. |
| Bite Turbos | Small bite blocks bonded to the back teeth | Can be added to braces or Invisalign cases. |
| Jaw Surgery + Braces | Orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, with orthodontic treatment before and after | Fredal Orthodontics coordinates the orthodontic side with the surgeon. |
When Does an Overbite Need Jaw Surgery?
Whether an overbite needs orthodontic treatment alone or orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) depends on the case. Dr. Fredal looks at how severe the skeletal (jaw) difference is. He also weighs facial balance and profile, the bite, tooth position, function and your treatment goals.
Surgical orthodontic treatment may be discussed when the jaw difference cannot be properly treated by moving the teeth alone.
Treatment Timeline and Visits
| Stage | How Long | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Braces or Invisalign | About 12 to 18 months for many comprehensive cases | Time varies with case complexity, the movements needed, growth and how well you follow your treatment instructions. Dr. Fredal gives you an estimate for your case after your diagnostic evaluation. Braces visits are every 6 to 8 weeks. With Invisalign, you switch to a new aligner every week and visit every 10 to 12 weeks. |
| Between visits | Throughout treatment | You can text photos and questions to the team through Weave. The clinical team reviews them during business hours and replies with next steps. |
| Jaw surgery cases | 6 to 12 months before surgery and 3 to 9 months after | Orthodontic treatment before surgery, then detailing (fine-tuning the bite) after surgery. |
| Retainers | After treatment | One set of Essix retainers (clear plastic retainers) is included with comprehensive treatment. The optional Retainer Insurance program costs $790. For 7 years, you can buy each new retainer for a $40 copay and receive one new set per quarter. |
What to Expect at Your Consultation
-
Records.
A free CBCT scan (a 3D X-ray) on the i-CAT FLX V17, an iTero Lumina digital scan of your teeth and clinical photographs. -
Your recommendation.
The consultation takes 50 minutes. You spend 20 minutes of it with Dr. Fredal. He personally conducts every consultation. He reviews your complete records with you and gives his treatment recommendation. Sometimes he recommends against treatment. -
Your options.
You can talk about your treatment options, timeline and payment options. -
The exact cost in writing.
You get the exact treatment cost in writing. Before treatment begins, the team explains your orthodontic benefits. It also gives you a clear estimate of your out-of-pocket costs. -
Consultation fees.
The consultation is free for new patients. If you are in treatment with another orthodontist, a transfer consultation costs $250, credited toward treatment if you start here. A second opinion is free. A return consultation before you start is also free. It costs $100 if you missed a consultation as a no-show. -
Photo ID.
The practice asks for a photo ID at the new-patient consultation.
Before & After
How Much Does Overbite Treatment Cost?
Metal braces: from $5,280 (comprehensive)
Invisalign: from $5,280 (comprehensive)
Phase 1 (early treatment) for children: braces from $2,980, Invisalign First from $3,480.
Comprehensive fees have three levels, by case complexity: $5,280, $6,880 and $7,175. Your fee does not change with how long treatment takes. It includes every appliance your case needs, such as a Herbst or MARA, bite turbos and elastics. Hybrid treatment (braces, then Invisalign) is included too.
In-house financing has 0% interest and no credit check, with plans of up to 30 months. The lowest monthly payment the practice advertises is $179. The down payment is $750 for comprehensive braces or Invisalign, or $500 for Phase 1.
Frequently Asked Questions About Overbite
What is the difference between an overbite and an overjet?
An overbite is vertical: how far your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth from top to bottom. An overjet is horizontal: how far your upper front teeth stick out in front of your lower front teeth.
They are two different measurements, and both are measured in every new patient’s records at Fredal Orthodontics.
Can Invisalign fix an overbite?
It depends on your bite. Dr. Fredal recommends braces rather than Invisalign alone for a severe deep bite. For a significant deep bite, he may start with braces for the hardest movements and then switch to Invisalign to finish.
He gives his recommendation for your case at your consultation. If you start in clear aligners and need to switch to braces, the switch costs nothing extra.
Does every overbite need treatment?
Dr. Fredal sometimes recommends against treatment. He evaluates the whole patient when he plans a case: facial balance, the position of your front teeth (incisors), lip support, the bite and long-term stability. For a child, the answer can also be to wait until the timing is right.
Who does the jaw surgery if an overbite needs it?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon does the jaw surgery. Fredal Orthodontics provides the orthodontic treatment before and after surgery and coordinates your care with the surgeon. Surgical cases are planned with Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP), which plans the surgery on a computer.
The practice’s fee covers the orthodontic part. The surgeon and the hospital or surgery center bill separately for the surgery. Fredal Orthodontics does not offer surgery-first treatment (surgery before any orthodontic treatment).
What if there is jaw pain along with the overbite?
Dr. Fredal screens your bite, jaw joints and muscles at the consultation, free of charge. If you have active or worrying TMD symptoms (jaw joint or chewing muscle problems), treatment does not start until a qualified specialist has cleared you.
Braces and Invisalign are not offered as a treatment or cure for TMD. Once cleared, orthodontic treatment may go ahead if you need it for a separate orthodontic reason. The practice does not promise any change in TMD symptoms.
What are bite turbos, and do they cost extra?
They cost nothing extra. Bite turbos are small bite blocks bonded to the back teeth, and Dr. Fredal can add them to braces or Invisalign treatment. They are included in the comprehensive treatment fee, with every other appliance a case needs, such as a Herbst or MARA appliance and elastics. Your fee does not change with how long treatment takes.
Related Conditions and Treatments
Ready to Fix Your Overbite?
New patients can book a free visit with Dr. Fredal in Shelby Township. Community discounts take $250 off the part you pay after insurance. Military, teachers and first responders get one. So do healthcare workers, students and extra family members in treatment. Each patient can use one community discount.
*For new patients only. Patients transferring from another orthodontist: $250 consultation fee, credited toward treatment if they start here.