Correcting An Overbite Or Underbite With Dental Implants

by Andrew Mueller, DMD, MD | Feb 20, 2024

Did you know that approximately 20% of the U.S. population has deviations from the ideal bite? Simply put, this means that one in five Americans is at risk of suffering from the numerous negative outcomes associated with malocclusions (misaligned teeth).

Appearance may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about misaligned teeth, but in reality, aesthetic concerns are just one component of this much larger overarching dental health challenge. Malocclusions can contribute to tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, damaged tooth enamel, and other oral health issues. They can affect speech, the ability to chew or consume certain foods, and the overall health of the jaw. Of course, poor alignment of the teeth can also impact confidence and make individuals self-conscious about smiling, eating, or speaking in public.

Common types of malocclusions include:

  • Overbite – The upper front teeth project beyond or overlap the lower teeth.
  • Underbite – The lower front teeth project beyond or overlap the upper teeth.
  • Crossbite – The teeth don’t line up properly when the mouth is closed; upper teeth may sit inside of lower teeth or vice versa.

Early corrections for malocclusions include orthodontic interventions such as braces and headgear or, in more severe cases, orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery). Malocclusions that are not treated effectively early in life are likely to stabilize and may cause discomfort and damage over time.

If you live with an untreated malocclusion, such as an overbite or underbite, there is a likelihood that your dental health has suffered over time. Your teeth may have experienced accelerated wear or other damage, and multiple teeth may be failing or lost entirely. If this describes your situation, you may be wondering if full mouth dental implants could offer a viable solution for your oral health issues.

At Doctors Implants, we can proudly confirm that we have helped countless patients overcome bite issues and gain the beautiful, functional, and healthy smiles they always dreamed of. While dental implants are often thought of as a restoration for missing teeth, the truth is that they can also restore dental health in many other ways.

Below, we’ve provided answers to some of the most common questions we receive from patients about full mouth dental implants and malocclusions. If you have an overbite, underbite, or other malocclusion and are wondering about the feasibility of full mouth dental implants, we strongly encourage you to contact us at Doctors Implants and schedule your free doctors consultation after reading this article.

Does an Underbite or Overbite Impact Candidacy for Dental Implants?

Full mouth dental implants can offer a successful solution to lifelong overbites, underbites, and crossbites, and our exceptional surgical team has expertly designed new smiles for patients presenting with even the most complex of malocclusions.

In general, an underbite or overbite will not impact your candidacy for dental implants at Doctors Implants. That being said, every case is unique, and your personal treatment plan will be tailored to your exact needs and circumstances. Speak directly with one of our doctors for more information.

How Does Having Dental Implants Affect Malocclusions?

Having the opportunity to redesign, craft, and install beautiful new smiles that revolutionize patients’ lives every day is what our leading team of doctors loves most. Some of our most memorable success stories have involved patients with severe malocclusions that had negatively impacted their quality of life since childhood and whom we were able to help move forward with incredible transformations. Our world-class team would welcome the opportunity to help you next.

To see examples of malocclusion cases successfully treated at Doctors Implants, visit our gallery.

Are There Special Implants for People With Bite Problems?

Dental implants are not typically the first line of defense for correcting bite problems. Orthodontic treatment options commonly include braces, headgear or Invisalign treatment. In severe cases, jaw surgery may be indicated.

That being said, many individuals face barriers to proper malocclusion treatment or miss the window of opportunity in their younger years and find themselves suffering the worsening consequences of misaligned teeth later in adulthood. While replacing one or a few teeth with dental implants will not fix an overbite or underbite, full mouth dental implants can be highly effective.

Investing in full mouth dental implants at Doctors Implants can restore failing and missing teeth while simultaneously helping you overcome dental misalignments. Speak with one of our experienced doctors to learn more about how our groundbreaking 6 Hour Smile may be the oral health solution you’ve been looking for.

Do Bite Problems Change the Dental Implant Procedure?

At Doctors Implants, we tailor treatment plans to the unique needs of each and every patient. That being said, bite problems do not usually fundamentally change the progression of the 6 Hour Smile.

While careful planning and exceptional precision may be required to properly place implants when correcting an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, patients with malocclusions will still undergo tooth extraction (if necessary) and implant placement under sedation.

Is Jaw Surgery Required To Fix Malocclusions?

In the vast majority of cases, no. Our highly trained and experienced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are able to expertly resolve most malocclusions solely with the installation of full mouth dental implants.

In rare instances, however, patient outcomes may be improved when full mouth dental implant treatment is combined with other interventions, such as jaw surgery. For more details, speak directly with one of our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Contact the Experts at Doctors Implants To Set Up a Free Consultation

Ready to learn more about how full mouth dental implants can help resolve your overbite or underbite while also offering a tooth replacement solution that looks, feels, and functions just like natural teeth?

Contact us at Doctors Implants today to set up your free consultation and get started on your journey toward better oral health! We look forward to meeting you.

About the Author

Andrew Mueller, DMD, MD

Dr. Andrew Mueller loves being an oral and Maxillofacial surgeon. After completing both dental and then medical school, he did a general surgery residency and an oral/maxillofacial surgery residency (both at Parkland hospital in Dallas, Texas). He has performed countless general anesthetics in the operating room, learning how to safely put patients to sleep and wake them back up.