Overbite: Causes, Symptoms
and Treatment Options
An overbite refers to the vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth. A small degree of overlap is normal, but a pronounced overbite — a type of malocclusion — may affect function and comfort. Professional dental assessment helps identify contributing factors and determine appropriate management.
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Understanding the Concern
What Is an Overbite?
An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth in the vertical plane. While a small degree of vertical overlap is considered normal — typically around 2–4 mm — an excessive overbite can affect both the appearance and function of the teeth and jaws.
It is important to distinguish an overbite from an overjet, which refers to the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth. An overbite specifically describes the vertical relationship — how much the upper teeth cover the lower teeth from top to bottom.
Overbites may range from mild to severe, and the degree of overlap helps guide whether monitoring, active management or treatment is appropriate. Clinical evaluation — which may include visual examination, bite analysis and radiographs — helps determine severity, identify contributing factors and inform a personalised management approach.
Symptoms & Warning Signs
Excessive overlap of upper front teeth
The upper front teeth cover a significant proportion — or in some cases all — of the lower front teeth when biting together, beyond the normal one-third overlap.
Lower teeth contacting the palate
In more severe cases, the lower front teeth may bite into or contact the gum tissue behind the upper front teeth, which can cause irritation, soreness or tissue damage over time.
Tooth wear or enamel damage
Excessive vertical overlap can create abnormal contact patterns between the upper and lower teeth, contributing to accelerated wear of the biting edges — particularly of the lower front teeth.
Jaw discomfort or fatigue
The muscles and joints of the jaw may experience increased strain from an altered bite relationship, potentially contributing to jaw pain, tension headaches or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort.
Difficulty biting or chewing
An excessive overbite may affect the ability to bite through certain foods efficiently, as the front teeth may not meet in an optimal position for incising.
Increased sensitivity in affected teeth
Teeth subjected to abnormal forces or wear from an excessive overbite may develop increased sensitivity — particularly to temperature changes or pressure during biting.
Symptoms vary depending on the severity and type of overbite. Discomfort, tooth wear or changes in bite alignment warrant professional assessment.
Classification
Types of Overbite
Overbites are classified by severity and underlying cause. Identifying the type helps guide the most appropriate management approach and informs expectations.
Mild Overbite
A slight vertical overlap within the normal range — typically where the upper front teeth cover approximately one-third of the lower front teeth. May not require treatment but benefits from monitoring.
Moderate to Severe Overbite
Excessive vertical overlap where the upper front teeth cover more than half — or in severe cases all — of the lower front teeth. May cause tooth wear, soft tissue damage or functional difficulties.
Skeletal Overbite
Related to the positioning and proportions of the upper and lower jaws themselves. May involve a smaller or more retruded lower jaw, requiring comprehensive assessment and potentially multidisciplinary management.
Dental Overbite
Primarily related to the positioning of the teeth rather than the jaw structure. The teeth have erupted or drifted into positions that create excessive vertical overlap, even though the jaw proportions may be within normal limits.
Why It Happens
Common Causes and Contributing Factors
An overbite typically develops as a result of multiple contributing factors rather than a single cause. Identifying these factors is an important part of planning management.
Natural jaw development
Variations in the way the upper and lower jaws grow during childhood can result in a deeper bite. Where the lower jaw is positioned further back relative to the upper jaw, or where vertical jaw proportions differ, an overbite may develop as a natural part of skeletal growth.
Genetics
Jaw size, tooth size and facial proportions are influenced by genetics. If parents or close relatives have a pronounced overbite, there may be an inherited tendency toward deeper vertical overlap due to similar jaw and tooth characteristics.
Tooth positioning or crowding
Crowded, misaligned or rotated teeth can influence how the upper and lower arches meet. Where teeth are not ideally positioned, the bite relationship may be altered — contributing to an increased overbite or uneven contact patterns.
Childhood habits
Prolonged thumb sucking, dummy use or finger habits during childhood can exert sustained pressure on the developing teeth and jaws, influencing tooth eruption patterns and bite development. These habits may contribute to both overbite and overjet.
Tooth wear or loss
Loss of back teeth without replacement, or significant wear of the biting surfaces — whether from grinding, erosion or attrition — can reduce the height of the back of the bite, allowing the front teeth to overlap further over time.
Previous dental work
Dental restorations that alter the biting surfaces — such as crowns, fillings or bridges — can influence how the teeth meet. In some cases, changes to the back teeth may affect the vertical relationship of the front teeth.
Why It Matters
Potential Risks if Not Addressed
An untreated excessive overbite can contribute to progressive tooth wear — particularly of the lower front teeth, which may be in abnormal contact with the upper teeth or the palatal tissues. Over time, this wear can become significant, exposing underlying tooth structure and increasing sensitivity.
In more severe cases, the lower front teeth may bite into the soft tissues behind the upper front teeth, causing chronic irritation, soreness or ulceration of the palatal gum tissue. This ongoing trauma can affect comfort and oral health.
The altered bite relationship may also place increased strain on certain teeth and the jaw joints, potentially contributing to jaw discomfort, muscle tension, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms. Changes in the bite may become more pronounced over time — particularly where tooth grinding or loss of back teeth is a contributing factor — and management at a later stage may be more complex than early intervention.
Your Options
Treatment and Management Options
Treatment depends on clinical assessment of the type, severity and contributing factors. Management varies based on diagnosis, and a personalised approach is recommended following professional examination.
General Dentistry
Comprehensive assessment of bite alignment, tooth positioning and jaw function to determine the type and severity of an overbite and guide appropriate management.
Learn MorePrivate Dentist
Thorough clinical examination in an unhurried private setting, with time to discuss concerns about bite alignment and explore management options.
Learn MoreTooth Grinding
Assessment and management of bruxism, which may contribute to or be exacerbated by an overbite — including custom-fitted bite guards where appropriate.
Learn MoreSmile Makeover
A comprehensive treatment plan that may address overbite alongside other cosmetic and functional dental goals for an overall improvement.
Learn MoreSports Guards
Custom-fitted mouthguards to protect teeth during sport — particularly relevant where bite alignment may increase vulnerability to dental injury.
Learn MoreEmergency Dentist
Prompt assessment for acute jaw pain, dental trauma or sudden changes in bite alignment that require urgent attention.
Learn MoreManagement may include monitoring of mild cases, orthodontic treatment to improve alignment, use of dental appliances such as bite guards, adjustment or replacement of dental restorations to restore bite height, and management of contributing habits. Where the overbite has a significant skeletal component, referral for specialist assessment may be recommended.
Your First Step
Importance of Professional Dental Assessment
Overbite severity varies between individuals, and what appears minor may have functional implications — or conversely, what appears significant may be stable and well-tolerated. Clinical examination helps provide an accurate assessment of the degree of overlap and its impact.
During assessment, tooth wear and functional impact can be evaluated — including the condition of the biting edges, any damage to soft tissues, and the health and function of the jaw joints. Radiographs may be taken to assess the tooth roots and supporting bone.
Early identification may help guide management before the condition progresses — potentially offering more straightforward treatment options. Treatment planning is tailored to individual needs, taking into account the type and severity of overbite, contributing factors, and the patient's priorities.
What to Expect
- 1Discussion of your concerns — including any symptoms, their duration, and any changes in your bite or comfort over time
- 2Review of medical and dental history, including any previous orthodontic treatment, dental restorations, or relevant habits
- 3Visual and clinical examination of the teeth, bite alignment and jaw function — assessing the degree of vertical overlap and its effects
- 4Assessment of tooth wear patterns, soft tissue health and jaw joint function to understand the functional impact of the overbite
- 5Clear explanation of findings, including the type and severity of overbite, with discussion of any contributing factors identified
- 6Personalised management plan — which may include monitoring, orthodontic referral, restorative options, habit management or bite guard provision
Two Convenient Locations
Visit Us in Central London
Assessment and treatment planning for overbite and other dental concerns are available at our London clinic, where professional evaluation can help determine appropriate care options.
South Kensington
Now Open20 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3DL
Mon & Wed: 9 am – 6 pm
Tue & Thu: 9 am – 8 pm
Fri: 9 am – 5 pm
Sat & Sun: 10 am – 4 pm
1 min from South Kensington tube (District, Circle & Piccadilly)
City of London
Opening May 20265 Ave Maria Lane, City of London, London EC4M 7AQ
Mon – Fri: 8 am – 8 pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
3 min from St Paul's tube (Central line) · 5 min from Blackfriars
Common Questions
Overbite FAQ
Your Dental Team
Experienced Dentists
All our dentists are GDC registered and experienced in assessing bite alignment, tooth wear and related concerns — with careful, personalised care.
Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi
Principal Dentist & Clinical Director
GDC: 195843
Dr. Reza Davari
Dentist
GDC: 302422
Dr. Kamran Yazdi
Dentist
GDC: 197926
Dr. Andreia Phipps
Dentist
GDC: 229601
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Our South Kensington clinic is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and all our clinicians are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).
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Assessment for Overbite
Concerned About Your Bite?
If you have concerns about your bite or have noticed excessive overlap of your front teeth, a professional dental assessment can help identify possible causes and determine appropriate management options based on your individual needs.
