If you’ve been scrolling through before-and-after photos of people with perfectly straight smiles, you might be wondering if those clear trays could work for your crooked canines, your overbite, or whatever dental quirk has been bothering you. The answer is probably yes, but it depends on what’s actually going on with your bite. Clear aligners have come a long way from just fixing minor crowding, and today they can address a surprising range of orthodontic issues.
At Newport Beach Dental Center, Dr. Laura Sharbash combines her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry with cutting-edge clear aligner technology to help patients achieve healthier, more aligned smiles. She uses ProMonitoring, an FDA-cleared remote monitoring system that provides digital oversight at every aligner change, allowing her to track your progress and address any concerns before they become problems.
What Bite Issues Can Clear Aligners Correct?
Clear aligners work by applying gentle, controlled pressure to shift your teeth into better positions over time. This makes them effective for several types of bite problems.
Overbite
An overbite occurs when your upper teeth extend too far over your lower teeth, which can lead to jaw pain and extra wear on your front teeth. Clear aligners can strategically move your teeth into proper alignment, reducing this overlap.
Underbite
Underbites happen when your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth, often causing difficulty chewing and speaking. While severe underbites may need additional treatment, mild to moderate cases respond well to aligner therapy.
Crossbite
Crossbites develop when some of your upper teeth sit inside your lower teeth rather than outside, potentially causing uneven tooth wear and gum problems. Clear aligners can widen your arch and reposition these teeth.
Open Bite
Open bites create a gap between your upper and lower teeth when you close your mouth, making it hard to bite into foods. This condition often results from prolonged thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting. Clear aligners can help close this gap by moving your teeth vertically.
Crowding
Crowding happens when your teeth overlap or twist because your jaw doesn’t have enough room, while spacing issues leave noticeable gaps between teeth. Both respond excellently to clear aligner treatment.
How Severity Affects Your Treatment Options
Not every bite problem is the same, and the extent of your misalignment plays a major role in determining whether clear aligners are right for you.
- Minor bite issues: Your teeth are only slightly out of position, and you typically achieve excellent results with aligner therapy alone. These cases take anywhere from six months to a year to complete.
- Moderate bite problems: These require more complex tooth movements but still fall within the capabilities of modern clear aligners. Your treatment might last 12 to 18 months, and your dentist will closely monitor your progress to make any necessary adjustments.
- Severe bite issues: These involve significant jaw misalignment and may need a combined approach. In severe cases, you might benefit from orthodontic treatment that incorporates other techniques alongside aligners, or in rare instances, surgical intervention before starting aligner therapy.
The good news is that advancements in clear aligner technology have expanded what’s possible without metal brackets and wires. Attachments, small tooth-colored bumps bonded to certain teeth, give aligners a better grip and control for more challenging movements. Elastics, small rubber bands worn with your aligners, can help correct bite relationships between your upper and lower jaws.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, approximately one in three orthodontic patients today is an adult, showing that it’s never too late to address bite issues and achieve a healthier smile.
The ProMonitoring Difference
Traditional orthodontic treatment requires frequent office visits to check your progress, but ProMonitoring changes this dynamic entirely. This AI-driven platform allows for digital oversight at every aligner change, reducing the need for in-office checks while improving treatment outcomes. You simply use your smartphone to take photos of your teeth as you switch to each new aligner, and the system analyzes your progress.
This technology benefits you in several ways. Early problem detection means your dentist can identify and correct issues before they require major adjustments, potentially preventing the need for refinement trays. You’ll make fewer trips to the office, saving time while still receiving attentive care. The messaging and notification features keep you engaged in your treatment, and studies show this leads to better compliance and faster results.
Getting Straighter Teeth With Newport Beach Dental Center
Whether you’re dealing with crowding, spacing, or bite misalignment, clear aligners with ProMonitoring technology may help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Dr. Sharbash brings a holistic and minimally invasive approach to orthodontic care, combining her Diplomate status with the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. She’s also an official spokesperson for the AGD and serves on the Southern California AGD board, bringing expertise from her roles in dental education and leadership.
During your consultation, Dr. Sharbash will evaluate your bite, take digital scans of your teeth, and discuss whether clear aligners can achieve your goals. Schedule your appointment to learn how clear aligners with ProMonitoring technology can transform your smile.
