Deep Overbite, Protrusive Teeth, Gummy Smile Correction: Invisalign Lite and Gum Contouring Review

Hello.

I’ll explain the treatment for deep overbite, protrusive teeth, and gummy smile.

Invisalign Lite is a short program used for mild malocclusions that can be addressed within 14 aligners.

The definition of “mild” malocclusion differs by doctor, and the range that can be corrected with Invisalign Lite will vary depending on skill.

If used properly, Invisalign Lite can correct a surprisingly wide range of malocclusions.

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Today, I’ll show what can be done in a short period with Invisalign Lite when there is a deep bite and a gummy smile.

This patient visited in March 2024 for gum contouring.

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The four upper front teeth are generally short, and there is a gummy smile with a lot of gum showing when smiling.

Gum contouring can improve a gummy smile to some extent, but the front teeth are tilted backward, there is also a deep overbite, and there are spaces between the front teeth, so orthodontic treatment was recommended.

The molar bite is good.

This is a severe deep overbite, with the upper front teeth covering the lower front teeth so deeply that the lower front teeth are not visible at all.

The upper front teeth are protrusive teeth tilted backward beyond the normal angle.

There are also gaps between the front teeth.

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Because the molar bite was good, Invisalign Lite was recommended. Instead, we decided to place mini-screws and use elastics to clearly improve the deep overbite and gummy smile in a relatively short period.

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From the first set, orthodontic screws were placed near the front teeth and elastics were attached.

By July 2024, this is the condition after wearing all 14 aligners in the first set.

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As the deep overbite is resolved, the lower front teeth finally become visible.

The gaps have been neatly closed.

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The crooked front tooth alignment has also improved.

It’s hard to call this a change over just 3.5 months because the patient wore the aligners diligently and the treatment plan was perfect.

To further improve the gummy smile by moving the front teeth upward a bit more, additional aligners were made.

Gum contouring was also performed in the middle. This is the process of removing gums that excessively cover the teeth.

From September 2024 to January 2025, this is the condition after wearing all 14 additional aligners over 5 months.

The total treatment period was 10 months.

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The front teeth, which had looked cramped because they were short, now have better proportions after gum contouring and look more refreshed.

The good bite was well maintained.

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The improved alignment and the closed gaps.

Now let’s look at the before-and-after comparison.

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Clear improvement in the deep overbite

Let’s compare the facial appearance.

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The gummy smile has improved a lot.

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The protrusive teeth that had been tilted backward have also improved considerably.

During the 10-month treatment period, there was no root resorption, and root parallelism is good.

Noticeable intrusion of both the lower and upper front teeth can be seen. The upper and lower front teeth were intruded by 2 mm each.

Thanks to that, the lips now close more comfortably than before.

After deep overbite correction is finished, it is best to use a Vivera retainer to firmly maintain vertical control of the entire dental arch so that the front tooth bite does not deepen again. Vivera retainers can even be prescribed with bite blocks to prevent the front tooth bite from becoming deep.

This patient is also wearing the Vivera retainer every night and is maintaining the result well.

Among the stories patients hear during initial consultations at other dental clinics,

“Because Invisalign Lite causes excessive movement in a short time, it puts stress on the teeth and relapse is common.”

There seem to be cases where people explain it this way and steer patients toward Comprehensive treatment.

However, if the retainer is also planned strategically, taking into account the patient’s initial condition and relapse pattern, there is no need to worry about relapse.

I practice with the mindset that:

There is no relapse for orthodontic patients I have treated.

I will post the one-year follow-up checkup for this patient around early next year.

Thank you for reading this long post today.