Can Invisalign Fix Underbites?

What You'll Learn

An underbite occurs when the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth when you close your mouth. Mild underbites may be barely noticeable, while severe ones can affect chewing, speech, and facial appearance. Like overbites, underbites can be dental (caused by tooth position) or skeletal (caused by the jaw bones). Dental underbites are more amenable to aligner treatment; skeletal underbites may require a more comprehensive approach.

For dental underbites, Invisalign moves the upper teeth forward and/or the lower teeth backward to bring the bite into proper alignment. Attachments — small tooth-colored bumps bonded to the teeth — help the aligners achieve the precise movements needed. Elastics (rubber bands) worn between upper and lower teeth are often part of underbite correction, providing the force needed to shift the jaw relationship. Your dentist will design a treatment plan that addresses your specific bite pattern.

Patients with mild to moderate dental underbites are the best candidates for Invisalign correction. If your underbite is primarily due to tooth position — rather than a significant size difference between your upper and lower jaws — Invisalign can likely achieve a good result. Patients with severe skeletal underbites, where the lower jaw is substantially larger or more forward than the upper jaw, may need orthognathic (jaw) surgery combined with orthodontic treatment. A thorough evaluation including X-rays will clarify which approach is right for you.

Underbite correction with Invisalign typically takes 18 to 24 months, though mild cases may be shorter. You will wear each set of aligners for one to two weeks and visit your dentist every 6 to 10 weeks for progress checks. Consistent wear — 20 to 22 hours per day — is critical. After treatment, retainers are worn to hold the corrected bite in place long-term.