How to Fix a Scissor Bite Using Clear Aligner Therapy
If you've been told you have a scissor bite — or you've noticed that some of your upper back teeth sit completely outside your lower teeth rather than meeting them properly — you may be wondering what it means and what can be done about it. A scissor bite is a relatively uncommon type of malocclusion (bite misalignment) that many patients haven't heard of until a dental professional identifies it during an examination. It's not always painful or immediately obvious, which is why people often search online for more information once it's been mentioned to them.
Understanding how to fix a scissor bite is important because, left unaddressed, this type of bite irregularity can contribute to uneven tooth wear, jaw discomfort, and difficulty chewing effectively. The good news is that for many patients, clear aligner therapy offers a discreet and effective approach to correcting a scissor bite — gradually moving the affected teeth into a more functional and comfortable position without the need for traditional metal braces.
This article explains what a scissor bite is, what causes it, how clear aligners may help correct it, and when a professional assessment is recommended. Treatment suitability always depends on the individual case, so a clinical examination is the essential first step.
Can Clear Aligners Fix a Scissor Bite?
Can clear aligner therapy correct a scissor bite?
In many cases, clear aligners can fix a scissor bite by gradually moving the upper teeth inwards and the lower teeth outwards to establish proper contact and overlap. Aligner therapy uses controlled, sequential forces to reposition the affected teeth over a series of custom-made trays. The suitability of aligners depends on the severity of the scissor bite and the individual's overall bite relationship, which a clinical assessment determines.
What Is a Scissor Bite?
Understanding the anatomy of this bite condition helps explain why treatment may be beneficial.
Definition and Anatomy
A scissor bite — known clinically as a buccal crossbite or Brodie bite — occurs when one or more upper back teeth (premolars or molars) sit entirely outside the corresponding lower teeth. In a normal bite, the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth slightly, with the inner cusps of the upper teeth fitting into the grooves of the lower teeth. In a scissor bite, this relationship is disrupted: the upper teeth are positioned so far outwards that they bypass the lower teeth completely, with no functional contact between the biting surfaces.
The term "scissor bite" is descriptive — when the teeth come together, they slide past each other like the blades of scissors rather than meeting and interlocking as they should.
How It Differs From a Standard Crossbite
A standard posterior crossbite involves the upper teeth sitting inside the lower teeth — the opposite of where they should be. A scissor bite is essentially the reverse problem: the upper teeth are too far outside. Both conditions involve a disruption of the normal transverse (side-to-side) relationship between upper and lower teeth, but they require different treatment approaches because the teeth need to move in opposite directions.
Single Tooth vs Multiple Teeth
A scissor bite can affect a single tooth (most commonly an upper second molar) or multiple teeth on one or both sides. The severity and complexity of treatment depend largely on how many teeth are involved and whether the issue is dental (related to tooth position) or skeletal (related to jaw width discrepancy).
What Causes a Scissor Bite?
Several factors can contribute to the development of a scissor bite, and understanding these helps explain why the condition varies between patients.
Genetic and Skeletal Factors
The most common underlying cause is a discrepancy in the width of the upper and lower jaws. If the upper jaw (maxilla) is wider than average relative to the lower jaw (mandible), the upper teeth may be positioned too far outwards to meet the lower teeth properly. This width discrepancy is largely genetic — inherited from parents — and develops during childhood as the jaws grow.
Tooth Position and Angulation
In some cases, the jaw widths are normal, but individual teeth have erupted at an unusual angle or in an unusual position. An upper molar that tips outwards (buccally) or a lower molar that tips inwards (lingually) can create a scissor bite relationship even when the underlying jaw dimensions are proportionate. This type of scissor bite — caused by tooth position rather than skeletal discrepancy — tends to be more responsive to aligner therapy.
Tooth Loss and Drift
When teeth are lost and not replaced, the remaining teeth can drift and tilt over time. An upper molar that tilts outwards after the loss of an adjacent tooth, or a lower molar that tilts inwards, can gradually develop a scissor bite relationship with its opposing tooth. This acquired form of scissor bite is relatively common in adults who have experienced tooth loss.
Habits and Developmental Factors
Certain childhood habits — such as prolonged thumb-sucking or abnormal tongue posture — can influence how the jaws and teeth develop, potentially contributing to transverse discrepancies that manifest as scissor bite in some cases.
How Clear Aligner Therapy Addresses a Scissor Bite
Clear aligner treatment can correct many cases of scissor bite through carefully planned tooth movements that bring the upper and lower teeth back into proper contact.
The Treatment Approach
Correcting a scissor bite with aligners typically involves two complementary movements: moving the upper teeth inwards (palatally) and the lower teeth outwards (buccally). By narrowing the position of the upper teeth and widening the position of the lower teeth at the affected site, the teeth are brought back into a functional relationship where the biting surfaces meet and interlock as they should.
Each set of aligner trays is designed to achieve a small, precise increment of movement — typically 0.2 to 0.25 millimetres per tray. Over the course of treatment, these small movements accumulate to produce the total correction needed.
The Role of Attachments
Many scissor bite corrections require the use of composite attachments — small, tooth-coloured bumps bonded to specific teeth to give the aligner trays better grip and more controlled force delivery. For the inward movement of upper teeth and outward movement of lower teeth, attachments are particularly important because these movements require precise force vectors that smooth aligner plastic alone may not achieve effectively.
Treatment Duration
The duration of aligner treatment for a scissor bite depends on the severity of the condition and how many teeth are involved. Mild cases affecting a single tooth may be corrected in as few as three to six months, whilst more complex cases involving multiple teeth may take twelve months or longer. Your dental professional provides an estimated timeline during treatment planning.
The Clinical Science Behind Bite Correction
Understanding how teeth move and how bite forces work helps explain why correcting a scissor bite matters for long-term dental health.
Normal Occlusion and Force Distribution
In a healthy bite, the upper and lower teeth meet in a way that distributes chewing forces evenly across multiple teeth simultaneously. The cusps and grooves of the premolars and molars interlock like gears, guiding the jaw into a stable, comfortable position during biting and chewing. This balanced force distribution protects individual teeth from excessive stress and supports the health of the surrounding bone and gum tissue.
What Happens When Teeth Don't Meet
When a scissor bite prevents upper and lower teeth from contacting properly, the chewing forces that those teeth should be sharing are redistributed to other teeth — which may then bear more load than they're designed for. Over time, this can contribute to uneven wear patterns, increased sensitivity in the overloaded teeth, and potential strain on the jaw joints (temporomandibular joints).
Additionally, teeth that don't contact their opposing teeth can continue to erupt slightly (a process called over-eruption), as there's no opposing force to hold them in position. This can further complicate the bite relationship and make future correction more complex.
Bone Remodelling During Treatment
All orthodontic tooth movement works through bone remodelling — the biological process where bone is gradually broken down on one side of a tooth and rebuilt on the other, allowing the tooth to move through the jawbone. This process is triggered by the sustained gentle pressure from the aligner trays and is managed by specialised cells: osteoclasts (which resorb bone) and osteoblasts (which build new bone). The controlled, incremental forces used in aligner therapy work within the body's natural remodelling capacity, allowing teeth to be repositioned safely and predictably.
Signs You May Have a Scissor Bite
A scissor bite isn't always immediately obvious — it typically affects the back teeth, which aren't visible when you smile. However, several signs may suggest a scissor bite is present.
Difficulty Chewing
If food doesn't seem to break down properly when you chew, or if you find yourself favouring one side of your mouth because the other side doesn't feel effective, a bite irregularity such as a scissor bite may be a contributing factor.
Cheek Biting
When upper teeth sit too far outwards, they can catch the inner cheek tissue during chewing, causing recurrent cheek biting. If you frequently bite the inside of your cheek on one side — particularly towards the back of your mouth — this can sometimes be related to the position of the upper molars.
Uneven Tooth Wear
Teeth that don't meet properly may show unusual wear patterns. Some teeth may appear more worn than others, reflecting the uneven distribution of chewing forces caused by the bite discrepancy.
Jaw Discomfort
Whilst a scissor bite doesn't always cause jaw pain, the compensatory movements the jaw makes to work around teeth that don't meet properly can sometimes contribute to tension, fatigue, or discomfort in the jaw muscles or temporomandibular joints.
When Professional Assessment Is Recommended
If you suspect you have a scissor bite or are experiencing any of the signs described above, a professional assessment provides the clinical evaluation needed to confirm the diagnosis and explore treatment options. Consider booking a consultation if:
- You've been told by a dentist or hygienist that your bite isn't meeting correctly on one or both sides
- You experience recurrent cheek biting, particularly towards the back of your mouth
- You notice that your back teeth don't seem to touch when you bite together
- You have difficulty chewing food effectively or find yourself favouring one side
- You're experiencing jaw discomfort, clicking, or fatigue during eating
- You're interested in orthodontic treatment and want your bite assessed comprehensively
Your dental professional can examine your bite relationship, take any necessary records (including digital scans and photographs), and determine whether a scissor bite is present, how severe it is, and which treatment approaches are suitable for your individual case. Not every scissor bite requires intervention — in mild cases with no symptoms, monitoring may be appropriate.
When Aligners May Not Be Suitable
Whilst clear aligners can correct many scissor bite cases, there are situations where alternative approaches may be recommended.
Severe Skeletal Discrepancy
If the scissor bite is caused by a significant difference in width between the upper and lower jaws — rather than just the position of individual teeth — the correction may exceed what aligners can achieve through tooth movement alone. Severe skeletal discrepancies may require surgical intervention or specialised orthodontic appliances.
Complex Multi-Tooth Involvement
Cases involving scissor bite on multiple teeth across both sides of the mouth, particularly when combined with other bite issues, may benefit from fixed braces or a combination of appliances that provide greater control over complex three-dimensional tooth movements.
Active Dental Disease
Any orthodontic treatment — including aligners — should be undertaken on a foundation of healthy teeth and gums. Active decay, untreated gum disease, or compromised teeth in the affected area would need to be addressed before orthodontic correction begins.
Maintaining Results After Scissor Bite Correction
Once a scissor bite has been corrected, maintaining the result requires attention to retention and ongoing oral health.
Retainer Wear
After active treatment, retainers hold the teeth in their corrected positions whilst the bone and supporting tissues stabilise. Without consistent retainer wear, teeth can drift back towards their original positions. Your dental professional advises on the most appropriate retainer type and wear schedule for your situation.
Ongoing Oral Hygiene
Maintain thorough daily oral hygiene — brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth with interdental brushes or floss. Teeth in their corrected positions are typically easier to clean than they were before treatment, supporting better long-term gum and tooth health.
Regular Dental Check-Ups
Routine dental examinations allow your dentist to monitor your bite stability, check the condition of your teeth and gums, and identify any early signs of relapse or new dental concerns. Professional cleaning helps maintain optimal oral health and protects the investment you've made in treatment.
Key Points to Remember
- A scissor bite occurs when upper back teeth sit entirely outside the lower teeth, preventing proper biting contact
- Clear aligner therapy can correct many scissor bite cases by moving upper teeth inwards and lower teeth outwards
- The condition can contribute to uneven wear, cheek biting, chewing difficulty, and jaw discomfort if left unaddressed
- Treatment suitability depends on whether the scissor bite is dental or skeletal in origin, and how many teeth are affected
- A clinical assessment is essential to diagnose the condition accurately and determine the most appropriate treatment approach
- Retainer wear after correction is critical for maintaining the improved bite relationship long-term
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a scissor bite the same as a crossbite?
A scissor bite and a crossbite are related but opposite conditions. In a standard posterior crossbite, the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth — closer to the tongue than they should be. In a scissor bite (also called a buccal crossbite or Brodie bite), the upper teeth sit too far outside the lower teeth — closer to the cheek. Both conditions involve a disruption of the normal side-to-side relationship between upper and lower teeth, but they involve different directions of misalignment and require different treatment approaches.
How common is a scissor bite?
Scissor bite is less common than many other types of malocclusion. It most frequently affects the second molars — the teeth at the very back of the mouth — and may involve only one or two teeth. Because it primarily affects the back teeth, many people are unaware they have a scissor bite until a dental professional identifies it during a routine examination. Prevalence varies between populations, but it's generally considered one of the less frequently encountered bite irregularities in clinical practice.
Can a scissor bite cause jaw pain?
A scissor bite can potentially contribute to jaw discomfort, although not every patient with a scissor bite experiences pain. When teeth don't meet properly, the jaw may compensate by shifting or adjusting its position during chewing, which can place additional strain on the jaw muscles and the temporomandibular joints. Over time, this compensatory pattern may lead to muscle fatigue, tension, clicking, or discomfort. However, jaw pain has many possible causes, and a clinical examination is needed to determine whether a scissor bite is a contributing factor in any individual case.
How long does it take to fix a scissor bite with aligners?
Treatment duration depends on the severity of the scissor bite and the complexity of the overall case. Mild scissor bite affecting a single tooth may be corrected in three to six months of aligner wear. More complex cases involving multiple teeth, significant tooth movement, or additional alignment concerns may take twelve months or longer. Your dental professional provides a personalised timeline during treatment planning, based on digital modelling of the specific movements required. Consistent aligner wear — 20 to 22 hours per day — helps keep treatment progressing on schedule.
Will my scissor bite come back after treatment?
With proper retention, a corrected scissor bite can be maintained long-term. However, teeth have a natural tendency to drift towards their original positions — a process called relapse — particularly in the months immediately following active treatment. This is why consistent retainer wear is essential after the correction is complete. Your dental professional recommends the appropriate retainer type and wear schedule, and regular dental check-ups allow your bite stability to be monitored over time. Most patients who follow their retention plan maintain their corrected bite successfully.
Do I need to fix a scissor bite if it doesn't bother me?
Not every scissor bite requires immediate treatment. If the condition is mild, involves only one tooth, causes no symptoms, and isn't contributing to wear or functional problems, your dental professional may recommend monitoring rather than active intervention. However, even asymptomatic scissor bites can sometimes lead to gradual complications over time — including uneven wear, over-eruption of the unopposed tooth, and progressive bite changes. A clinical assessment helps determine whether treatment is advisable now, whether monitoring is appropriate, or whether the condition is unlikely to cause problems.
Conclusion
A scissor bite is a specific type of bite misalignment where upper back teeth sit completely outside the lower teeth, preventing the normal interlocking contact that supports effective chewing and balanced force distribution. Whilst less common than other bite irregularities, it can contribute to uneven wear, cheek biting, chewing difficulty, and jaw discomfort if left unaddressed over time.
For many patients, clear aligner therapy offers an effective way to fix a scissor bite — gradually repositioning the affected teeth through controlled, incremental movements until proper contact is restored. The discreet, removable nature of aligners makes them an appealing option for adults who want to correct their bite without the visibility of traditional braces.
The key to successful treatment is a thorough clinical assessment that confirms the diagnosis, evaluates the severity and underlying cause, and determines whether aligner therapy is the most appropriate approach for the individual case. If you're concerned about your bite or have been told you may have a scissor bite, booking a consultation with your dental professional provides the expert evaluation needed to understand your options and make an informed decision.
Dental symptoms and treatment options should always be assessed individually during a clinical examination.
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised dental advice. Individual diagnosis and treatment recommendations require a clinical examination by a qualified dental professional.
Written Date: 2 April 2026
Next Review Due: 2 April 2027
