If you have ever looked in the mirror and thought something about your bite seems off without being able to name it, you are in the right place. Overbite, underbite and crossbite are the three most common ways teeth fail to line up, and all three are treatable. Here is what each one means, how to spot it and what our Beaverton office does to correct it.
What Are Overbites, Underbites and Crossbites?
Overbite, underbite and crossbite are three forms of malocclusion, the clinical term for a bite that doesn’t line up the way it should. An overbite means the upper front teeth overlap the lower ones too far. An underbite means the lower teeth sit in front of the uppers. A crossbite means upper teeth close inside the lowers. All three are common, all three are treatable, and all three get diagnosed the same way: with a close look at how your teeth and your jaws actually work together.
What each of these means, and how it gets fixed, rests on one question. Did the teeth drift out of position, or did the jaws grow at different rates?
What Is an Overbite?
Some overlap is normal and healthy. In a well-aligned bite, the upper front teeth cover the lowers by roughly 2 to 4 millimeters. When that overlap deepens and the lower teeth start to disappear behind the uppers or strike the roof of the mouth, it’s called a deep bite.
What Is an Underbite?
An underbite shows up when the lower teeth close ahead of the upper front teeth. Sometimes only one or two teeth are involved. Other times the lower jaw itself sits forward, which changes the profile as well as the bite.
What Is a Crossbite?
A crossbite can appear in the front (anterior) or the back (posterior). Kids with a posterior crossbite often shift the lower jaw to one side just to chew, which is why Dr. Matthew Tsai watches for this pattern closely in younger kids.
What Related Terms Are Worth Knowing?
- Overjet: how far the upper front teeth stick out horizontally, often confused with overbite
- Open bite: the front teeth don’t touch at all when the back teeth close together
What Causes These Bite Issues?
- Genetics and inherited jaw shape
- Upper and lower jaws growing at different rates
- Thumb sucking or long-term pacifier use
- Baby teeth lost too early, letting neighboring teeth drift
- Tongue thrusting and chronic mouth breathing
How Each Bite Problem Gets Corrected
Bite correction starts with an exam, digital scans and X-rays to determine whether teeth or jaw growth caused the misalignment. From there, braces or clear aligners move the teeth, while elastics, bite ramps or expanders change how the jaws meet. Most bite corrections take 12 to 24 months.
The process usually runs like this:
Diagnosis first. At your first visit, Dr. Matt takes digital scans (no goopy impressions), photos and X-rays. Those records show whether the issue lives in the teeth, the jaws or both. That answer shapes everything that follows. Harvard-educated and board-certified, Dr. Matt reads those records himself and walks you through them on the screen before anything gets recommended.
Correcting an overbite. Deep bites respond well to elastics, bite ramps or aligner attachments that let the back teeth settle while the front teeth ease apart. Braces and clear aligners both work here. The goal is opening the bite so the lower front teeth stop hiding.
Correcting an underbite. In growing kids, an expander paired with elastics or a growth-guiding appliance can redirect how the upper jaw develops. Timing matters enormously with underbites. Adults with a significant skeletal difference may need Dr. Matt to coordinate care with an oral surgeon, though many milder cases improve with braces or clear aligners alone.
Correcting a crossbite. Widening the upper arch is usually step one. A palatal expander creates the width the upper teeth need to close outside the lowers again, and how expanders work and why early detection matters is worth reading if this applies to your child. Once there’s room, targeted tooth movement finishes the job.
Choosing your appliance. Metal braces, LightForce clear braces and clear aligners all move teeth. Brackets and aligner attachments give Dr. Matt the control needed for bigger bite changes, which is why appliance choice depends on your diagnosis rather than looks alone. If you are weighing those options, we break down how braces and clear aligners compare in more detail.
Staying on schedule. Most bite corrections run 12 to 24 months, with checkups every 4 to 8 weeks. Mild corrections finish faster. Cases involving jaw growth take longer because biology sets the pace.
Why Correcting a Bite Problem Matters
A misaligned bite isn’t only about appearance. Teeth that meet unevenly wear down in ways that are hard to reverse.
- Less enamel wear and chipping. When contact is lopsided, certain teeth absorb far more force than they should.
- Easier on the jaw joints. Bite imbalance is commonly linked to jaw strain, clicking and tension headaches.
- Better chewing and clearer speech. Front teeth that don’t meet properly can affect how you bite into food and pronounce certain sounds.
- Simpler brushing and flossing. Straight, well-spaced teeth are easier to clean, which lowers the risk of decay and gum disease.
- Healthier growth in kids. Correcting a posterior crossbite early helps prevent the lower jaw from developing asymmetrically.
- Better facial balance and confidence. Bite correction often changes how the lips and chin sit at rest, and that shows in photos.
Fixing the bite protects the work you’ve already invested in your teeth, and you can see what that looks like in our patient results.
Overbite vs. Underbite vs. Crossbite: Side-by-Side
Overbite is the most common of the three and usually responds to braces or clear aligners with elastics. Underbite is less common and gives the best odds of correction without an oral surgeon when treated during childhood. Crossbite can occur in the front or back of the mouth, and arch expansion is typically the first step.
| Bite Type | What You See | Common Cause | Typical Treatment | Urgency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overbite | Upper front teeth cover the lowers excessively | Genetics, thumb sucking, jaw size difference | Braces or clear aligners with elastics, bite ramps or attachments | Moderate; treat before enamel wear begins |
| Underbite | Lower teeth close in front of the upper teeth | Lower jaw growth, inherited jaw shape | Expander, elastics, growth guidance in kids; coordinated care for severe adult cases | Higher; earlier treatment gives more options |
| Crossbite | One or more upper teeth close inside the lowers | Narrow upper arch, jaw shifting, delayed tooth eruption | Palatal expander plus targeted tooth movement | Higher in kids; can affect jaw development |
What Is the Difference Between Overbite and Overjet?
People use these terms interchangeably, but they measure different things. Overbite is vertical overlap, meaning how much the upper front teeth cover the lowers. Overjet is horizontal, meaning how far forward the upper teeth sit. You can have a deep overbite with almost no overjet, or the reverse.
One more thing worth knowing: bite issues rarely travel alone. Plenty of people arrive with a deep bite on one side and a crossbite in the back, plus some crowding. That’s normal, and a single treatment plan can address all of it.
Who Is a Candidate for Bite Correction?
Almost anyone with a misaligned bite is a candidate. Timing simply changes the toolkit, and treatment works at every age.
- Children: The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7. At that point, enough permanent teeth have arrived to reveal crossbites, underbites and crowding while the jaws are still flexible. Phase 1 treatment can guide growth before problems set in.
- Teens: Jaw growth is still active, most permanent teeth are in place, and elastics or expanders can do a lot of heavy lifting. For many families this is the easiest window to work with.
- Adults: Teeth move at any age. Many adult overbites and crossbites respond well to clear aligners or braces. Cases with a large skeletal difference may involve coordinating with an oral surgeon.
Signs worth getting checked:
- Teeth that don’t meet evenly when you bite down
- A jaw that shifts to one side to close
- Worn, flattened or chipped tooth edges
- Chronic mouth breathing or difficulty chewing certain foods
- Clicking or tightness in the jaw joints
Healthy teeth and gums come first. Active decay or gum inflammation gets treated before appliances go on. Dr. Matt Orthodontics treats kids, teens and adults from Beaverton, Tigard and across the west side, and he builds a plan around each stage of life, whether that means guiding a seven-year-old’s growth or straightening a bite that’s been crooked for forty years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bite Problems
Can clear aligners fix an overbite?
Yes, for mild to moderate overbites. Clear aligners use attachments (small tooth-colored bumps bonded to the teeth) and elastics to create the force needed for bite changes. Deep bites tied to jaw structure may respond better to braces. Your scans and X-rays give the honest answer.
How long does it take to correct an underbite?
Most underbite corrections run 12 to 24 months. Cases treated during active growth often move faster because appliances can work with the jaw’s natural development. Adult cases with a significant skeletal component typically take longer and may involve coordinated care.
Can a crossbite correct itself?
No. Crossbites don’t resolve on their own, and they tend to become more entrenched over time. In children, an untreated posterior crossbite can lead the lower jaw to grow asymmetrically, which is exactly why early evaluation matters.
What happens if I leave a bad bite untreated?
Uneven contact wears enamel down unevenly, and that damage doesn’t grow back. Over the years, an untreated bite issue is associated with chipped teeth, jaw strain, gum recession on overloaded teeth and difficulty keeping crowded areas clean.
Does bite correction hurt?
Expect mild soreness for a few days after your appliances go on and after adjustments. It feels like pressure more than anything sharp, and soft foods plus over-the-counter relief handle it well. Most people are back to normal eating within a week.
At what age should a child be evaluated?
Age 7, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. An early check doesn’t mean early treatment for every child. It simply lets Dr. Matt spot crossbites and underbites while there’s still time to guide growth instead of correcting it later.
Does insurance cover bite correction?
Coverage varies quite a bit from one plan to the next. Contact our office and our team will walk through your specific benefits with you before you commit to anything.
If you’re wondering where your own bite stands right now, a free consult is the simplest way to find out. Dr. Matt is glad to sit down and talk it through with you, with no obligation attached.