A gummy smile, where too much gum shows above the upper teeth, can affect your confidence. It’s often due to genetics, a hyperactive upper lip, or how your teeth have grown. Luckily, there are treatments to help reduce a gummy smile and improve your smile’s appearance
1,100+ reviews (4.8 of 5)
Treatment options
Treatments for an underbite
Find out more about the treatments we use to fix an underbite, and book at your nearest clinic.
Invisalign
Corrects mild underbites and edge-to-edge bites. From £2,199.
Available at Fleet Street · Notting Hill · Harrods · Manchester
Composite bonding
Finishes the smile after straightening. £410 per tooth.
Available at Fleet Street · Notting Hill · Harrods · Manchester
Now Available
What is an underbite?
An underbite (dentists call it a Class III bite) is when your lower front teeth sit in front of your upper front teeth when you close your mouth. In a typical bite it is the other way round: the top teeth sit slightly over and in front of the bottom teeth. Underbites range from mild, where the front teeth meet edge to edge, to severe, where the lower jaw sits well forward.
What causes an underbite?
- Jaw growth: a lower jaw that grew larger or further forward, or an upper jaw that grew less. This often runs in families and is called a skeletal underbite.
- Tooth position: upper front teeth tipped backwards or lower front teeth tipped forwards, often with crowding. This is a dental underbite, and the type clear aligners treat best.
- Missing upper teeth: gaps in the upper jaw let the top teeth drift back.
- Childhood habits: tongue thrusting or long-term dummy use while the jaws are growing.
Do I have an underbite?
Bite together on your back teeth and look in a mirror. If your bottom front teeth sit in front of your top teeth, or the front teeth meet edge to edge, you may have an underbite. Other signs are a prominent chin, worn or chipped front teeth, and difficulty biting into food with your front teeth.
Why treat an underbite?
Beyond how it looks, an underbite can wear and chip the front teeth, strain the jaw joints, cause gum recession on the lower front teeth, and make chewing and some sounds harder. Treating it earlier usually means simpler treatment.
Underbite vs overbite
Overbite
- Top front teeth sit too far over or in front of the bottom teeth
- Often linked to a smaller or set-back lower jaw
- Read about overbite correction
Underbite
- Bottom front teeth sit in front of the top teeth
- Often linked to a larger or forward lower jaw, or a smaller upper jaw
- Can also be caused by missing upper teeth
How to fix an underbite: underbite treatment options
How we fix an underbite depends on whether it comes from the teeth, the jaws, or both. Your dentist will tell you which at your consultation.
Invisalign for a mild underbite
For edge-to-edge bites and mild underbites, Invisalign can move the upper front teeth forward and the lower front teeth back, often with small elastics, until the top teeth sit in front again. Most mild underbite treatments take 6 to 12 months, and Invisalign starts from £3,199.
Braces
Fixed braces can also correct an underbite, and are sometimes better for very complex tooth movements. We’ll tell you honestly if we think braces would give you a better result.
Jaw surgery for a severe underbite
If a severe underbite comes from the size or position of the jaws, moving the teeth alone won’t fix it. Orthognathic (jaw) surgery repositions the jaw, with braces or aligners before and after. We will refer you to a specialist orthodontist and maxillofacial surgeon.
Children
In growing children, an orthodontist can sometimes guide jaw growth with an appliance, which may avoid surgery later. It’s worth having a child’s bite checked from around age 7.
Can you fix an underbite naturally?
Not in adults. Jaw exercises, mouth taping and chin straps can’t change the size of your jaw or move your teeth.
Can veneers fix an underbite?
Veneers or bonding can sometimes improve the look of a very mild edge-to-edge bite, but they don’t correct the bite itself. They are usually best done after straightening.
Underbite surgery
Underbite surgery (orthognathic or jaw surgery) is the most reliable fix for a severe underbite caused by the jaws. It is carried out in hospital by a maxillofacial surgeon, working with an orthodontist.
- Before surgery: braces or aligners line up the teeth, usually for 12 to 18 months.
- Surgery: under general anaesthetic, usually with one or two nights in hospital.
- Recovery: a soft diet and swelling for the first few weeks, with most people back to normal activities within about 6 weeks.
- After surgery: a few months of orthodontics to fine-tune the bite.
Underbite surgery on the NHS or privately
Jaw surgery may be available on the NHS when an underbite causes real problems with eating, speaking or breathing. Private underbite surgery costs vary widely between surgeons and hospitals. We can assess your bite and refer you to a specialist for advice.
Pricing
How much does it cost to fix an underbite?
Your first consultation is free. Underbite treatment with Invisalign starts from £3,199. Every Invisalign plan includes free teeth whitening and retainers, and can be spread over 24 months at 0% finance.
Free consultations · 0% finance over 24 months
Invisalign Lite
£3,199 (from £133/month)
Edge-to-edge bites, 6 to 9 months
Invisalign Moderate
£3,699 (from £154/month)
Mild underbite, 9 to 12 months
Invisalign Comprehensive
£4,199 (from £175/month)
Moderate to complex underbite, 12 to 24 months
Jaw surgery
Specialist referral
Severe underbite from a jaw size difference
See every treatment and price on our pricing page.
Underbite questions
What is an underbite?
An underbite is when your lower front teeth sit in front of your upper front teeth when you bite together. It ranges from a mild edge-to-edge bite to a severe underbite where the lower jaw sits well forward.
What causes an underbite?
Most underbites come from jaw growth, often inherited, or from the position of the teeth. Missing upper teeth and childhood habits such as tongue thrusting can also contribute.
How do I know if I have an underbite?
Bite together on your back teeth and look in a mirror. If your bottom front teeth sit in front of your top teeth, or the front teeth meet edge to edge, you may have an underbite. A dentist can measure it at a free consultation.
Can Invisalign fix an underbite?
Yes, for mild underbites and edge-to-edge bites caused by tooth position. Severe underbites caused by the jaws usually need jaw surgery as well as orthodontics.
Can braces fix an underbite?
Yes, braces can correct many underbites caused by tooth position. For severe skeletal underbites, braces are combined with jaw surgery.
Can an underbite be fixed without surgery?
Often, yes. Mild and moderate underbites caused by tooth position can usually be fixed with Invisalign or braces. Surgery is only needed when the jaws themselves are the main cause.
Can you fix an underbite naturally?
Not in adults. Exercises, mouth taping and chin straps cannot change jaw size or move teeth. In growing children, an orthodontist can sometimes guide jaw growth with an appliance.
When is surgery needed for an underbite?
When the underbite comes mainly from the size or position of the jaws, especially if it affects eating, speaking or breathing. We will refer you to a specialist if you need it.
How long does it take to fix an underbite?
Most mild underbites take 6 to 12 months with Invisalign. Treatment involving jaw surgery usually takes around 18 months to 2 years in total.
What is the difference between an underbite and an overbite?
With an overbite, the top front teeth sit too far over or in front of the bottom teeth. With an underbite, the bottom front teeth sit in front of the top teeth.
Is an underbite bad?
A mild underbite is not dangerous, but over time it can wear and chip the front teeth, strain the jaw joints and make chewing harder. Many people also want to change how it looks.
How much does it cost to fix an underbite?
Invisalign underbite treatment at Rüh Dental costs from £3,199 (Invisalign Lite) to £4,199 (Invisalign Comprehensive), including whitening and retainers, with 0% finance over 24 months. Your consultation is free.
Start Your Smile Journey Today
At Rüh Dental, we do things differently. We call it the Rüh difference.
We believe in better than the traditional dentistry of yesteryear that’s left a legacy of fear and therefore neglect because of historic experiences.
Contact Us
Ruh Dental (Fleet Street) Limited (09473949), Ruh Dental (Notting Hill Gate) Limited (10288078) and Ruh Dental (Manchester) Limited (11669648) are registered in England. Registered office: 1st Floor Metropolitan House, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG.
