What is Meant by Overjet Teeth?
[M.D.S. (Ortho), Fellow ICOI]
Do you feel hard to close your lips completely? Are your upper front teeth overlap in the horizontal dimension? You have overjet teeth.
Overjet is an atypical dental condition in which the top teeth extend far and sit over the lower teeth. Generally, our upper front teeth slightly stick out of the lower front teeth but their space does not exceed 2 mm. In case of overjet teeth, top teeth protrude beyond the lower front teeth by more than 2 millimeters.
It’s a common misconception that overjet and overbite are identical. Despite sharing the same characteristics, they are different. Keep reading to know more about overjet in teeth.
How does an overjet differ from an overbite?
The main difference between an overjet and an overbite is, that the upper row of front teeth overlaps the bottom row of front teeth at an angle in an overjet.
You cannot notice such angle in an overbite so that the upper teeth remain straight or downward even though they protrude over the lower teeth.
Overbite
Overjet
What causes overjet teeth?
The increased inclination of upper teeth toward lower teeth is caused by many factors. Some are inherited from genes whereas a few causes are from the infanthood habits and development of teeth.
The most common things that contribute to this condition are as follows:
- Transmitted genetically
- Discrepancy in the number of teeth
- Skeletal discrepancy
- Delayed eruption of adult teeth
- Tongue thrust
- Thumb sucking habit
- Prolonged use of baby bottles and pacifiers
Will overjet worsen with age?
Yes. Overjet will increase as you age and make you prone to various complications. We have seen many patients who neglected overjet treatment for years. As a consequence, the degree of forward displacement of their upper front teeth increased by a few millimeters with their advancing age.
Moreover, they developed a myriad of problems due to increased overjet. The possible complications associated with overjet are as follows:
- Reduce the appeal of your smile
- Cause pain while biting and chewing
- Difficulties in drinking and swallowing
- Speech impediments
- Hard to close lips
- Unbalanced facial appearance
- Pain in the jaw bone
On the other hand, the toothbrush bristles cannot reach all tooth surfaces due to the inclination of front teeth in the upper row. It implies that those with overjet teeth have a higher risk of getting cavities and gum diseases.
Hence you should get correct teeth overjet whether it occurred due to hereditary or poor oral habits.
What options are there for overjet correction?
Dental professionals recommend the appropriate treatment depending on your needs after evaluating the degree of protrusion. The treatment options available to correct overjet teeth are as follows:
1) Orthodontic Treatment
Dental braces are a great way to treat overjet teeth. The pressure exerted on the teeth to push them into their correct positions will reduce the overjet gap hence that the excessive overjet is fixed.
Depending on how bad the condition is, you will get any of the 4 orthodontic approaches:
- Orthodontic treatment alone
- Orthodontic treatment with tooth extraction
- Orthodontic treatment with a tooth replacement
- Orthodontic treatment with corrective jaw surgery
Besides traditional braces, Invisalign and Retainers are also equipped in correcting overjet teeth.
2) Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is only recommended for aesthetic reasons because it hides protruding teeth. The procedure involves cementing composite resins using adhesives to change the teeth shape and size. It is an affordable solution and the affixed material has high durability.
3) Dental Veneers
Similar to composite bonding, the porcelain veneers also intend to correct the overjet teeth aesthetically alone. It is a piece of custom-made shell that mimics the natural appearance of our teeth.
Once it is affixed to the protruded teeth, it hides the misalignment to a certain extent so that the overjet teeth are made less noticeable.
4) Overjet Surgery
Overjet Surgery is mostly recommended for people with severe overjet problems. It is quite complicated and is recommended when orthodontic treatments cannot close the overjet gap. The oral surgeons and orthodontists work collaboratively to create a surgical overjet treatment plan.
Do you want to get rid of horizontal misalignment in your teeth? Schedule your appointment with our dentists today. We support you in closing the overjet gaps and bringing back your stunning smile.
