5 Best Dental Treatment Options to Fix Overlapping Teeth

You can fix overlapping teeth with orthodontic treatments like braces, clear aligners, or a palatal expander. The best option depends on your age, how much your teeth overlap, and your overall dental health.

Overlapping teeth happen when one or more teeth partly cover another. This problem can be mild, such as a slight tilt, or more serious, where teeth are twisted or stacked on each other.

Some people have no trouble living with it, but others may struggle with cleaning their teeth, develop gum problems, or feel less confident about their smile.

What Does “Overlapping Teeth” Mean?

3D illustration showing overlapping teeth and dental misalignment

When teeth grow incorrectly, they may crowd into the space meant for another tooth. This leads to one tooth partially covering another. This often happens in front teeth, but it can also affect back teeth.

Dentists and orthodontists call this condition dental crowding or malocclusion. It’s not just about looks. Overlapping teeth can affect how you bite, chew, and clean your teeth.

Causes of Overlapping Teeth

Overlapping teeth can happen for a few common reasons:

Small Jaw: If your jaw is small, there’s not enough space for teeth to grow straight.
Early or Delayed Baby Tooth Loss: If a child’s baby teeth drop out much earlier or later than expected, the incoming permanent teeth might erupt in the wrong position.
Genetic Influence: Dental crowding often runs in families, so if your parents dealt with it, you could be more likely to experience it as well.
Childhood Oral Habits: Behaviors like prolonged thumb sucking, extended pacifier use, or pressing the tongue against the teeth can gradually shift them out of alignment.
Wisdom Teeth: Sometimes, when wisdom teeth grow, they press on other teeth and cause them to overlap.

Imagine trying to fit 12 people on a bench meant for 10. Some will have to sit in front of or behind others. That’s how overcrowding works in your mouth.

Why Fix Overlapping Teeth?

Some people believe overlapping teeth are only a cosmetic concern, but dentists say they can cause real problems, such as:

Plaque Buildup: Overlapping spots are harder to clean with a toothbrush or floss.
Gum Disease: Food can get stuck more easily, leading to gum problems.
Tooth Wear: An uneven bite can slowly wear away the tooth’s enamel.
Jaw Pain: Misaligned teeth can put extra pressure on the jaw.
Speech Problems: In serious cases, the position of the teeth can make it harder to pronounce certain words.

Treatment for Overlapping Teeth

Fixing overlapping teeth improves your smile and helps keep your mouth healthy.

1. Braces

Braces remain the go-to solution for fixing overlapping teeth. They apply steady, gentle pressure to guide teeth into their ideal alignment using a series of tiny brackets, made from metal or ceramic and connected by wires.

Works for mild to severe crowding.
Suitable for children, teens, and adults.
Average treatment time: 18–24 months.

You need to be mindful of your eating patterns, like what candy you can eat with braces, to help you avoid damaging your brackets and wires.

2. Clear Aligners

Clear aligners such as Invisalign, offer a discreet way to straighten your smile. These custom-fitted, transparent trays sit snugly over your teeth, applying gentle pressure to shift them into the right position over time.

Best for mild to moderate overlap.
Removable for eating, drinking, and cleaning.

For the best outcome, clear aligners should be worn for 20–22 hours each day. They’re a great choice for anyone seeking a subtle, bracket-free way to straighten their teeth. If you are a coffee lover, you should understand drinking coffee with Invisalign without harming your aligners.

3. Palatal Expander

A palatal expander is often used for children before their jaw fully develops (usually before age 14). It works by gradually expanding the upper jaw, allowing teeth to emerge in proper alignment.

Works best before age 14.
It can help avoid tooth extractions later on.

If your child has one, it’s important to understand the proper way to turn a palate expander so it works effectively.

4. Tooth Contouring or Veneers

For very mild cases, your dentist may slightly reshape the teeth (tooth contouring) or place veneers to improve appearance.

Quick cosmetic fix.
It does not actually move teeth; it only changes the look.

This is ideal if you want a fast way to make your smile look more even.

5. Tooth Extraction

For severe crowding, removing one or more teeth may be necessary to create space. Braces or aligners usually follow this to move the remaining teeth into the right position.

At Palm Valley Orthodontics, we will carefully evaluate your smile and recommend the option that best matches your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

How to Fix Overlapping Front Teeth at Home

There is no safe, effective home method to fix overlapping teeth permanently. Home tricks or “DIY braces” can damage gums, loosen teeth, and cause infection. Only a licensed dentist or orthodontist should adjust tooth position.

Can Overlapping Teeth Cause Pain?

Mild overlap usually doesn’t hurt. But severe crowding can cause jaw strain, headaches, or tooth sensitivity. Sometimes pain comes from gum inflammation due to trapped food.

When to See an Orthodontist

If teeth are visibly crooked or overlapping.
If brushing and flossing are difficult in certain spots.
If you have jaw discomfort.
If you notice speech changes.

An orthodontist can assess your case and create a custom plan using braces, aligners, or expanders.

Final Thoughts

Overlapping teeth can affect both your smile and your oral health but there’s a solution. If you or your child have this issue, we can help. In our Scottsdale office, we offer palatal expanders for kids before the jaw fully develops, and braces for all ages and all levels of overlap.

Book your consultation today.

5 Best Dental Treatment Options to Fix Overlapping Teeth

What Does “Overlapping Teeth” Mean?

Causes of Overlapping Teeth

Why Fix Overlapping Teeth?