Let’s cut to the chase: If your upper teeth cover more than 1/3 of your lowers when you bite down, you’ve got an overbite. And if you’re reading this in Los Angeles – where 1 in 3 adults need orthodontic treatment – you’re either dealing with jaw pain, hiding your smile in Venice Beach selfies, or both
I’m Dr. Nik, and I’ve realigned over 4,000 smiles with Invisalign here in LA. Let me show you how to diagnose your overbite in 90 seconds flat… and more importantly, how to fix it without metal braces or endless appointments.
The Mirror Test: 3 Steps To Diagnose Your Overbite At Home
Step 1: Stand in front of any mirror (bathroom, car visor, that shiny elevator at The Grove). Relax your jaw completely – no forced biting. What most Santa Monica patients get wrong? Clenching exaggerates the overlap.
Step 2: Smile wide enough to show where your top and bottom teeth meet. Pro tip: Use your phone’s camera zoom if needed. Healthy bites show 2-4mm of overlap – about the width of a credit card’s edge.
Step 3: Check for these red flags:
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“Bulldog jaw”: Chin appears recessed (common in 60% of overbites we see near Culver City)
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Roof contact: Lower teeth hit the palate when chewing (hello, ulcers)
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Vertical coverage: Upper teeth hide >50% of lowers (severe overbite territory)
If you’re nodding right now, you’re part of the 38% of Angelenos with moderate-to-severe overbites. But here’s what most dentists won’t tell you…
“It’s Not Just Crooked Teeth – It’s a $12,000 Time Bomb”
I treated a Brentwood CEO last month who’d ignored her overbite for decades. Result? $12,385 in restorative work:
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$4,200 for TMJ splints (jaw joints were grinding like a Hollywood tour bus)
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$6,500 for crowns (overbite had cracked two molars)
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$1,685 in gum grafts (lower teeth were eroding tissue)
This is why I tell my Westside patients: Overbites aren’t cosmetic. They’re functional emergencies.
5 Hidden Signs Your Overbite Needs Professional Help
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Morning jaw soreness (70% of untreated cases develop TMJ issues)
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Speech changes (“th” sounds mushy? Common in Beverly Hills execs we treat)
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Front tooth wear (enamel thins 2x faster with misaligned bites)
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Chronic bad breath (overlaps trap food near Wisdom Row – yes, even in LA)
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Sleep apnea links (recessed jaws = 40% higher risk of airway issues)
Overbite vs. Overjet: What 89% of Patients Confuse
| Factor | Overbite (Vertical) | Overjet (Horizontal) |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | “Deep” smile | “Bucky” front teeth |
| Measurement | Vertical overlap (%) | Horizontal gap (mm) |
| Health Risks | Tooth fractures, gum loss | Speech issues, lip strain |
| LA Fix Rate | 94% with Invisalign | 88% with veneers + aligners |
Why Invisalign Beats Braces For LA Lifestyles
Last Thursday, a Marina del Rey influencer asked me: “Can’t I just get veneers?” Bad idea. Masking an overbite with cosmetic work is like putting a Tesla body kit on a ’92 Civic. You need structural fixes first.
My 3-tier system for Santa Monica overbites:
Mild (2-4mm):
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Invisalign Express (14 weeks avg)
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Cost: $3,500-$4,900 (vs. $6k+ for veneers)
Moderate (5-6mm):
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Invisalign + Propel (accelerated 9-month plan)
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Tech: VPro5 vibration tech boosts movement by 57%
Severe (7mm+):
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Surgery-first (9/10 Downtown LA patients see 90% correction)
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Hybrid plan: 6 months Invisalign → 1 day surgery → 4 months refinement
“But Doc, I Need Same-Day Fixes!”
For emergencies (weddings, film shoots, sudden CEO meetings), we offer:
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3D-printed aligners: Ready in 2 hrs at our West LA lab
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Instant veneer temps: Protect worn teeth while aligners work
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Botox + fillers: Camouflage jaw asymmetry during treatment
FAQs From Our Beverly Hills Chair
“Will fixing my overbite change my face?”
Absolutely – in the best way. Proper alignment lifts cheekbones 2-3mm (non-surgical facelift effect).
“How much is this gonna cost me?”
LA averages $5,500. But our members pay $149/month (0% APR) – cheaper than most car leases.
“Can you fix 50-year-old overbites?”
Treated a 68-year-old Malibu client last year. 8 months. Life-changing.
Your Next Move (Before It Costs 10x More)
I’ll level with you: Every month you wait, your overbite gets 0.3mm worse. But here’s the good news – correcting it now takes 1/3 the time it did a decade ago.
Click below to claim your free 3D scan ($250 value) at our Santa Monica clinic:
Book My Invisalign Consult Now →