Overbite Vs. Overjet

Very few people are aware about the difference between overbite and overjet conditions. Following post provides information regarding their causes, presentation, and treatment.

Any kind of disturbance in the normal alignment of teeth is known as malocclusion. This implies that the teeth are malpositioned in the jaw, due to which there may not be harmonious occlusion. Any kind of malocclusion severely impairs a person's dental health.

This is because when teeth are not aligned properly, it becomes very difficult to brush them properly since the bristles of the brush may not reach all parts of the teeth, especially when there is a problem of crowding teeth. There are different types of malocclusions. The most commonly observed malocclusions include overjet and overbite.

An overjet and an overbite are two different conditions which may or may not even occur simultaneously. An overbite is a condition where the upper teeth are slightly longer or more erupted than normal. Ideally, when we close our mouth, or occlude, then the incisal edges of the upper teeth should just cover the incisal edges of the lower teeth.

However, if they cover more than a third of the lower teeth, then it is known as an overbite. On the other hand, an overjet is when there is a large discrepancy between the anterior-posterior distance between the teeth, that is, when the upper teeth are very forwardly placed, then it is known as an overjet, or more commonly, buck teeth.

Overbite problems may arise because of an underdeveloped lower jaw or discrepancy between the size of the upper and lower teeth (large-upper teeth and small-lower teeth). It may also arise due to a retrusive lower jaw or mandible.

An overjet is caused due to a very forwardly placed maxilla, retrusive mandible, or both. If it is caused due to both these factors, then it will often be present along with an overbite.

The treatments of both the conditions are different from each other. Usually, if both or either of the cases is purely dental in nature, that is, due to the presence of malpositioned teeth, then with the help of orthodontic braces, the teeth can be brought into place. However, orthodontic treatment does not help when the problem is skeletal in nature.

If the overbite is skeletal in nature, then the condition needs to be corrected with the help of surgical intervention. The surgery entails changing the position of the maxilla and/or mandible so that dental occlusion harmony is achieved.

It is usually not possible to attain complete overbite correction without braces because they are often needed to give finer touches and help bring the teeth into their required position.

Overjet or buck teeth correction, on the other hand, involves mostly the placement of orthodontic braces to help bring the upper teeth into their desired position. However, in severe cases surgical intervention may be required, and so, a jaw surgery may have to be performed.

These are some of the most common problems encountered by people, and in fact, are usually the chief complaints the patients present with to the orthodontist. After a detailed diagnostic study, your orthodontist will be able to tell you what treatment will work best for you.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.