Underbite Correction: Braces, Aligners or Jaw Surgery?

In an underbite, the lower front teeth close in front of the upper front teeth instead of behind them. Some underbites are only a millimetre or two and come from the angle of a few teeth; others reflect a lower jaw that is larger or further forward than the upper jaw. That difference, dental or skeletal, is the single most important factor in deciding how an underbite is treated and whether braces alone can correct it.

What causes an underbite?

• A large or forward lower jaw: often inherited, and the most common cause of significant underbites.
• An underdeveloped upper jaw: the upper jaw may be small or set back, so the lower teeth end up in front.
• Tooth position: upper front teeth tipped backwards or lower teeth tipped forwards can create a mild underbite even with normal jaws.
• Childhood habits: prolonged tongue thrusting or mouth breathing can contribute.
• Missing upper teeth: when upper teeth are missing, the arch can collapse inwards.

Why correct an underbite?

Beyond appearance, an underbite can make biting and chewing less efficient, wear the edges of the front teeth, put pressure on the gums and affect speech for some people. A forward chin can also change facial profile, which is a common reason adults seek treatment.

How are underbites treated in children?

Early treatment can make a real difference because the upper jaw is still growing. Options include:

• Palate expanders to widen a narrow upper jaw, which often also corrects a crossbite. See our guide to palate expanders.
• Reverse-pull headgear (facemask) worn at home to encourage the upper jaw forward, typically used in younger children.
• Removable appliances to tip upper front teeth forward over the lower teeth.

A second phase of braces in the teenage years is common. Because the lower jaw can continue to grow, the orthodontist will keep reviewing growth before finalising treatment.

Can braces or aligners fix an adult underbite?

For dental underbites, yes. Braces or aligners can tip the upper front teeth forward and the lower teeth back, with elastics worn from the lower front to the upper back teeth to help. Clear aligners work well for many mild cases; fixed braces give more control when teeth need to move further. Our guide to Invisalign vs braces compares the two, and types of braces explains metal, ceramic and lingual options.

When the underbite is skeletal, moving teeth alone may still produce a good bite in moderate cases, known as camouflage treatment, but it cannot change the position of the jaw or chin.

When is jaw surgery needed for an underbite?

Orthognathic (jaw) surgery is considered when the jaws are significantly mismatched and a stable, balanced result is not possible with teeth alone. It is usually planned once growth has finished, typically late teens or older. The typical sequence:

Surgery is planned jointly by an orthodontist and a maxillofacial surgeon, who quote their own fees.

How long does underbite correction take?

Mild adult cases with aligners can be finished within a year. Most brace-based cases take 18 to 24 months, and surgical cases 18 to 30 months in total. In children, treatment is often split into an early phase and a later phase several years apart.

How much does underbite correction cost?

Fees depend on the appliance and complexity rather than the underbite itself. In London, typical private fees start at about £2,650 to £2,800 for adult Invisalign, £2,800 to £3,650 for metal braces and £3,150 to £4,000 for ceramic braces. Children's interceptive treatment typically starts from about £1,200. See how much braces cost in London and the UK for the full breakdown.

Some children and teenagers with severe underbites qualify for NHS orthodontic treatment; adults rarely do unless there is a significant clinical need. Read more in NHS braces for adults.

Underbite, crossbite or overbite?

These are different bite problems, although they can occur together:

What is treatment like day to day?

With braces, the first week or so after fitting and after each adjustment can feel tender, and you will need to take more care cleaning around brackets. Elastics are usually changed several times a day and taken out only to eat and brush. With aligners, you swap to a new set of trays every one to two weeks and wear them for about 22 hours a day, removing them for meals.

Most patients come in every six to ten weeks. Between visits, the things that make the biggest difference to how long treatment takes are wearing elastics or aligners as prescribed, keeping appointments and looking after brackets so that breakages do not set progress back. If you are weighing up the practical side, our guide to braces for adults in London covers eating, cleaning and work.

Can an underbite be fixed with veneers?

Sometimes people ask whether veneers or crowns can disguise an underbite. In very mild edge-to-edge bites, cosmetic dentistry can improve how the front teeth look, but it does not change the bite or the jaw position, and building teeth out to cover a reverse bite can put the veneers under heavy load. In most cases moving the teeth first gives a more stable result.

Questions to ask at your consultation

• Is my underbite mainly dental or skeletal?
• Can it be corrected with braces or aligners alone, and what would the result look like?
• Would surgery give a better or more stable result, and who would carry it out?
• How long will treatment take, and how often will I need appointments?
• What is included in the fee, including retainers?

Keeping the result

Underbites can relapse, especially if growth continues after treatment. Long-term retainers are essential; see our guide to retainer costs.

Book an underbite assessment in London

An orthodontist can tell whether your underbite is dental or skeletal from an examination, photos and a 3D scan, and sometimes an X-ray. You will get a written plan with the options, time and fee. Request a consultation through our form to get started.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• How Much Do Braces Cost in London and the UK? (2026)
• Invisalign Cost in the UK and London: 2026 Prices
• Closing a Gap in Teeth: Braces, Aligners or Bonding
• Braces for Adults: Is It Worth Getting Braces at 30, 35 or 40?
• NHS Braces for Adults: Eligibility and Private Alternatives
• London Invisalign and Braces Price Index 2026
• Orthodontists in London: Invisalign and braces
• Areas of London we cover