Management of Overbite with the Invisalign® Appliance

Abstract

Studies on the management of overbite with the Invisalign® appliance are limited to case reports or case-series, hence the success and mechanism of action to manage overbite with this appliance is poorly documented. Therefore, this retrospective study sought to assess the nature of overbite changes with the Invisalign® appliance. The study sample included 68 normal overbites, 40 deepbites, and 12 openbites. Cephalometric analyses suggested that the Invisalign® appliance opened deepbites a median 1.5 mm, while the openbite patients had a median deepening of 1.5 mm closing. The median change for the normal overbite patients was 0.3 mm. Changes in incisor position were responsible for most of the improvement in deepbite and openbite groups. Minimal changes in molar vertical position and mandibular plane angle were noted. The Invisalign® appliance appears to manage the vertical dimension relatively well, and the primary mechanism is via incisor movements.