A complete review of the difference between overjet and overbite

Perhaps when you look at your smile in the mirror or check your child's teeth, you have noticed that your teeth are too far forward or do not fit together naturally. This situation can be due to two common dental abnormalities called overjet and overbite. Although these two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they have significant differences and have different effects on oral health and smile beauty. Therefore, knowing the difference between overjet and overbite is necessary for those who are involved with this abnormality, and it helps in better diagnosis and more effective treatment. In this article, we are going to explain the difference between overjet and overbite and tell you why these anomalies are important and how they are treated. Stay with us until the end for more information. The difference in appearance of overjet and overbite The main difference between overbite and overjet is related to the angle and direction of the teeth. In overjet, the front teeth of the upper jaw are placed horizontally in front of the lower teeth, and a horizontal gap is seen between the two jaws. But in an overbite, it is seen that the front teeth of the upper jaw vertically cover the front teeth of the lower jaw. In the picture below, the **difference between overjet and overbite** can be clearly seen and helps to better understand the difference in the appearance of these two malformations of the jaw types. What is overjet? Overjet is a type of malocclusion in which the front teeth of the upper jaw are placed horizontally ahead of the front teeth of the lower jaw. Normally, this distance should be about 2 to 3 mm, but if it is more than normal, it is called overjet. ### reasons for creating overjet - Incorrect oral habits: finger or pacifier sucking in childhood, teeth grinding and nail biting. - Genetics: the effect of heredity on the structure of the jaw and teeth can lead to overjet. - Imbalance in the growth of the jaws: excessive growth of the upper jaw or insufficient growth of the lower jaw. - Crookedness or crowding of teeth: the incorrect position of the teeth can cause the upper anterior teeth to protrude. - Tongue pressure: Reverse swallowing or tongue sticking out too much is another cause of overjet. - Late growth of permanent teeth: Premature loss of milk teeth or delayed growth of permanent teeth can affect the order of the teeth and the position of the jaws relative to each other. ### What problems does Overjet cause? - Difficulty in chewing: incorrect placement of teeth causes disturbance in biting and chewing. Vulnerability of front teeth: front teeth are more prone to breakage or chipping. - Negative impact on speech: pronunciation of some letters may become difficult. - Decreased self-confidence: the unnatural appearance of teeth can negatively affect the beauty of a person's smile and self-confidence. - Possibility of jaw problems: severe overjet may lead to pain or dysfunction of the jaw joint. What is an overbyte? Overbite is a condition where the upper and lower jaws overlap strongly when the mouth is closed. So that the front teeth of the upper jaw cover the teeth of the lower jaw more than normal. In a normal situation, the upper teeth cover the lower teeth by about 1 to 2 mm. If the overlapping of the teeth is more than this amount, the person has an overbite. In severe cases, the lower teeth may not be visible at all or may even touch the gums behind the upper teeth. What are the problems caused by overbite? This abnormality can be problematic both functionally and aesthetically. ### Factors that cause overbite - Genetics: the shape and size of the jaws can be hereditary and cause overbite. - Childhood habits: finger sucking or long-term use of pacifiers and bottles. - Tongue or lips pressure: continuous pressure on the teeth can change their position and placement. - Lack of timely treatment of orthodontic problems: neglecting crooked teeth in childhood. - Asymmetric growth of the jaws: lack of coordination between the upper and lower jaws and insufficient or excessive growth of one of the jaws in childhood. ### What problems does overbytes cause - Wear of teeth: too much contact between teeth causes erosion of tooth enamel. - Jaw and face pain: high pressure on the temporomandibular joints may lead to noise, pain or fatigue of the jaw muscles. - Speech problems: the pronunciation of some sounds is disturbed and the person speaks with a slurred speech. - Unpleasant appearance of the smile: Covering the lower teeth has a negative effect on the beauty of the smile. - The possibility of damage to the gums or the roof of the mouth: intense contact of teeth with soft tissue can be traumatic. - Respiratory problems: In severe overbite, respiratory tract obstruction and snoring are seen. Problems such as upper jaw being forward or overjet and overbite can be diagnosed and treated by an orthodontist for any reason. comparison of overbite and overjet overjet treatment - Fixed orthodontics: using fixed orthodontic brackets and braces, the front teeth are gradually moved back to be in the correct position and their horizontal angle is corrected with respect to the lower jaw teeth. This method is used for mild to moderate cases and is the most common overjet treatment for teenagers and adults. - Orthodontic headgear: It is an external device that is usually used for children and adolescents in their growing age. This device controls the growth of the upper jaw, aligns the jaws and guides the teeth to the right position. - Invisiline (transparent orthodontics): is a set of transparent and movable plaques that gradually correct the position of the teeth. This method is a popular option for mild overjet in adults for whom the invisibility of orthodontic braces is important. overbite treatment - Types of orthodontic braces: the most common method of overbite treatment is to correct the vertical overlap of the teeth and the position of the jaws by using brackets. This method usually has the best results in teenagers, but it is also effective in adults. - Jaw surgery: In severe cases where the overbite is caused by the disharmony of the jaws, jaw surgery is performed along with orthodontics to correct the position of the upper or lower jaw. This method is mostly used for adults with skeletal abnormalities. - Orthodontic bands: are small bands that are tied between the upper and lower braces to gradually guide the teeth and jaw to the correct position. Regular use of caches plays an important role in correcting overbytes. - Palatal expander: It is a device that is used to expand the width of the upper jaw in children and teenagers. By increasing the jaw space, the teeth are better placed in their natural position and the severity of overbite is reduced. - Mini screws: are small screws that are placed in the jawbone and act as a support for more precise movement of the teeth. This method is usually used in combination with braces for better control of forces in complex overbite correction. To know the price of dental wiring, refer to the page of orthodontic costs. How long does overjet and overbite treatment take? The duration of overjet and overbite treatment depends on the severity of the abnormality, the age of the patient and the treatment method. In most cases, orthodontic treatment lasts between 12 and 24 months. If there is a need for jaw surgery or the use of special tools such as headgear or mini-screws, this time may be longer. Regular examinations and patient cooperation play an important role in shortening the duration of treatment. Treatment of overjet and overbite in Dr. Qureshi's office Overjet and overbite are not only external problems, but if neglected, they can endanger the normal function of the jaw, speech and even the health of the teeth. Knowing the difference between overjet and overbite and taking timely treatment is an important step in maintaining oral health and smile beauty. If you are facing these abnormalities, delaying treatment can make the problems more complicated and the treatment time longer. Consultation with an experienced orthodontic specialist is the starting point of your treatment path. In the specialized clinic of Dr. Saeed Qureshi, the treatment of all kinds of jaw and teeth abnormalities can be done using the latest methods and technologies in a completely professional and personalized manner. If you are looking for a healthy, beautiful and long-lasting smile, make an appointment today for a professional consultation.