Has anyone ever called you “buck teeth”? If so, you might have an overjet.
If you’re hoping to correct your overjet, you’re in the right place: this guide will teach you everything you need to know about overjets and how they are corrected.
An overjet is a type of malocclusion or “bad bite”, that occurs when the top front teeth stick out past the bottom teeth, leaving a horizontal gap between the top and bottom rows of teeth. The way the top teeth stick out past the bottom causes them to appear larger or more noticeable than your other teeth, leading to schoolyard bullies teasing about “buck teeth”.
Luckily, overjets can be corrected by an experienced, licensed orthodontist. An expert provider can help your correct your overjet and achieve a healthy bite and a beautiful smile with straight, aligned teeth.
Read on for the inside scoop on overjets.
Overjet occurs when there is a too-large horizontal gap between the top front teeth and the bottom front teeth.
In healthy, properly aligned teeth with a correct bite, the rows of teeth line up when the mouth is closed. At the front of the teeth, the top row of teeth should slightly overlap the front bottom teeth, with little space between them. This is called a normal overjet.
In some cases, the top teeth don’t sit properly over the bottom teeth, creating a horizontal gap between the top and bottom front teeth. This is called an excessive overjet, where either the upper front teeth are too pronounced forward or the lower front teeth are too far back.
This horizontal gap between the front top and bottom teeth can make the top teeth appear more prominent than the other teeth, leading some people to unkindly call these “buck teeth.”
Overbites and overjets are not the same things.
Overjets are measured by the horizontal distance between the top and bottom teeth when the jaw is closed. When the space between the teeth is too large – more than 3-4 mm – this is considered an overjet.
Overbites are measured by the vertical distance by which the top teeth overhang the top teeth. When the top teeth cover too much of the bottom teeth, obscuring more than 25% of the bottom teeth when the teeth are closed, this is called an overbite.
Both these conditions are some of the more common orthodontic issues, found in people all over the world; both are estimated to affect around 20% of the global population. It is relatively common to have both an overjet and an overbite.
Overjets are treatable with quality orthodontic care by experienced, licensed orthodontists in an accredited orthodontic office. There are several treatment options for correcting overjets, with reliable, effective results.
Overjets can be caused by a variety of factors. Some are skeletal – originating in bone development in the jaw and dental roots – and some are developmental, resulting from the growth of the teeth themselves.
Overjets, like other orthodontic issues, can be hereditary: if your parents, grandparents, or another close relative has an excessive overjet, there’s a good chance you inherited your bad bite from your genes.
External factors can cause an overjet to develop. Some of these include:
Whatever the causes, an overjet can be corrected with careful supervision by an experienced orthodontist.
Yes, it is important to treat an overjet as soon as possible. Overjets, like any malocclusion, are misaligned bites that can have negative consequences for your teeth, gums, and mouth, as well as your overall lifelong health.
Overjets can cause some or all of the following problems:
All of these issues can cause cumulative harm to your teeth and health over time. It’s important to address an overjet promptly and thoroughly, with orthodontic care from an experienced doctor who can provide lasting, effective results.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children visit an orthodontist at age 7: they likely won’t begin treatment right away, but their expert provider will be able to closely monitor predict future growth, determining whether early intervention might create better outcomes for your child’s smile.
There are several ways to treat overjet. The best treatment for you depends on several factors: the severity of your overjet, the orthodontic provider you choose, whether there are other issues that need to be corrected, as well as your preferences for treatment.
Whatever treatment you select, make sure you get your overjet corrected by a licensed, experienced orthodontist with in-person supervision, to achieve safe and effective results, for a long-lasting smile and a healthy bite.
Expert orthodontists use metal and ceramic braces to treat overjets with excellent results. Braces use small brackets connected by a wire to safely and predictably move the teeth into their correct positions, diminishing the distance between the top and bottom teeth to close the excessive overjet.
Licensed orthodontists are trained extensively in the use of braces to treat overjets and other malocclusions. For the most experienced professionals, faster treatment and generally lower prices, it’s best to go to a dedicated orthodontist’s office, rather than a general dentist, for braces treatment.
Invisalign treatment is effective at correcting overjets, provided it is used in the hands of an experienced, licensed orthodontist. The clear aligner therapy designed and patented by Invisalign has helped many thousands of people achieve great smiles and treat their overjets. Remember that any orthodontic treatment is only a tool in the hands of your orthodontist: select an orthodontic professional with years of experience using Invisalign clear aligners, for the highest-quality and expert results.
Invisalign treatment uses a series of clear aligners, custom-created by your orthodontist and designed specifically to treat your unique diagnosis. Using patented materials like SmartTrack™ aligner materials, SmartForce™ attachments, and iTero® scanning, Invisalign is clinically proven to correct overjets faster and with more predictable movement.
When you’re seeking clear aligner therapy for your overjet, avoid teledentists: mail-order aligners boast that they can correct your smile without you ever having to see an orthodontist, but this can create serious problems for your teeth, and lasting consequences for your health.
For very severe overjets, surgery may be necessary to achieve the best results in closing the overjet gap. Oral surgeons work closely with orthodontists to create the most effective treatment plan.
If your case requires oral surgery, your orthodontist will explain to you the treatment plan and refer you to an oral surgeon for care. Surgical cases are very complex, so seek an expert orthodontist and ask for a referral for a top oral surgeon.
For cases requiring oral surgery, there are 3 phases of care:
Retainers are used to keep your teeth in place after your overjet has been corrected. Retainers will be provided to you after braces or Invisalign treatment (either a metal and plastic retainer or clear aligner retainers).
Retainers are a necessary part of your orthodontic treatment: be sure to wear your retainers as instructed by your provider: they will prevent your overjet from coming back, and keep your beautiful smile in place for lasting health and confidence.
Overjet cases requiring oral surgery can take up to 2 years to properly correct, followed by retainers. It is extremely important to choose an experienced, licensed orthodontic provider who can properly treat your case, and refer you to an expert oral surgeon. In-office supervision by an experienced orthodontist is key to properly correcting an excessive overjet.
Jugdeep, 23 Years Old with Excessive Overjet and Overbite, 18 Month Invisalign Treatment
It is normal to have a very small overjet, where the top teeth lay slightly over the bottom teeth, and all the teeth make contact when the jaw is closed.
If there is a horizontal gap between the bottom teeth and upper teeth, this is considered excessive overjet and should be treated with experienced, quality orthodontic care from a licensed doctor.
An overjet can be corrected only by an experienced, licensed orthodontist. Orthodontists use a variety of treatments to correct and overjet but remember that every orthodontic appliance is just a tool in the hands of your orthodontist.
The most important part of treatment is your doctor, who will carefully design your treatment and supervise its progress.
Both metal and ceramic braces offer overjet correction, as well as Invisalign clear aligners. For very severe cases, it might be necessary to have oral surgery first before or during orthodontic treatment.
When used by an experienced orthodontist, braces are an excellent solution to correcting an overjet. Both metal and ceramic braces offer reliable, safe, and comfortable treatment to achieve lasting results for overjet correction.
Be sure to choose a licensed orthodontist in a dedicated orthodontic practice, rather than a general dentist, for the highest-grade materials and technology, as well as the most experienced providers and lower prices.
Yes, an overjet will generally continue to increase over time, getting worse with age. It is important for your health and your smile to correct an overjet. Beginning treatment while the patient is young and their teeth are still growing can produce better results.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children see an orthodontist as early as age 7, to have their growing teeth examined and determine whether future intervention may be needed. But teenagers and adults of any age can correct their overjet and improve their smiles and their health.
An excessive overjet can have negative consequences for your health. It can cause toothaches, headaches, and jaw pain, make it difficult to bite, chew, swallow, or eat, and cause pain while eating or talking.
It can create a speech impediment, such as a lisp or a slur, and be a source of embarrassment or discomfort smiling and showing one’s teeth.
Healthy teeth are the gateway to a healthy body: correcting an overjet with professional orthodontic supervision is an important investment in your confidence, your smile, and your lifelong health.
Experienced orthodontists can use Invisalign to correct an overjet, with good results. Invisalign clear aligners use patented technology to align your teeth, closing the overjet and aligning any other teeth issues safely and effectively.
Make sure to seek Invisalign treatment from an experienced, licensed provider, who will have access to world-class orthodontic materials, like SmartTrack™ aligners and SmartForce™ attachments.
Avoid teledentists selling mail-order aligners: these are not supervised in-office by a licensed orthodontist and can have serious consequences for your teeth and health.
Experienced orthodontists can use Invisalign to correct an overjet, with good results. Invisalign clear aligners use patented technology to align your teeth, closing the overjet and aligning any other teeth issues safely and effectively.
Make sure to seek Invisalign treatment from an experienced, licensed provider, who will have access to world-class orthodontic materials, like SmartTrack™ aligners and SmartForce™ attachments.
Avoid teledentists selling mail-order aligners: these are not supervised in-office by a licensed orthodontist and can have serious consequences for your teeth and health.
Treatment times depend on the severity of your case, the experience of your provider, and where you go for treatment. Braces treatment to correct an overjet can take anywhere from 6 months to 2.5 years.
Your orthodontist will take x-rays to determine your diagnosis and give you an estimate of the length of treatment you can expect.
Invisalign treatment will vary in length depending on the severity of your overjet and the provider experience. Look for a Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider, in the top 1% of Invisalign orthodontists nationwide, for the most experienced professionals and speedier treatment times. Inexperienced orthodontists – or tele-dentists marketing mail-order aligners – may take much longer without having an accurate picture of your mouth and diagnosis.
Depending on the severity of your overjet, and whether there are other issues to correct, you can expect treatment to take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
Avoid teledentists and at-home aligner kits: these dentists do not have access to in-office technology and supervision, and this can make treatment times much longer, or cause damage to your teeth and mouth.
Overjet is measured as the horizontal length between the top front teeth and the bottom front teeth when the jaw is closed and the teeth are touching. It is difficult to take an exact measurement at home, but in the orthodontist’s office, they have precise instruments for measuring your overjet and determining the severity.
A video conference with a dental professional is a good way to begin, as the professional can determine whether you have an overjet that requires treatment.
Braces costs range depending on the severity of your case and where you choose to get it treated. Typically, you can expect to pay somewhere between $1,700 and $7,000.
Insurance can often help cover some or all the cost of braces link to insurance pages and your orthodontist office likely offers a payment plan to divide payments into manageable costs.
Invisalign cost varies depending on the severity of your overjet, whether there are other conditions that need to be addressed, and where you go for treatment.
Generally, you will pay between $2,650 and $9,000. Insurance may cover some of your treatment, and most orthodontist offices offer payment plans to divide costs up into manageable portions.
Be careful when comparing prices: some off-brand clear aligner companies offer deceptively low prices but don’t include necessary parts of care, including x-rays, attachments, and retainers.
No. It is not safe to attempt any orthodontic care at home. Orthodontists are specifically trained in the precise art of moving teeth and correcting bite problems.
They use precision technology and medical-grade materials to provide results that keep your teeth safe and healthy and improve your smile and your bite. Trying at-home methods – even mail-order kits to treat teeth at home – can have serious consequences for your smile, teeth, mouth, and health, and can even cause permanent damage.
Many thousands of people have filed consumer complaints against these companies for damaging their teeth. Put your smile in the hands of experts by seeking professional treatment for your overjet.
No. It is not safe to attempt any orthodontic care at home.
Orthodontists are specifically trained in the precise art of moving teeth and correcting bite problems. They use precision technology and medical-grade materials to provide results that keep your teeth safe and healthy and improve your smile and your bite.
Trying at-home methods – even mail-order kits to treat teeth at home – can have serious consequences for your smile, teeth, mouth, and health, and can even cause permanent damage. Many thousands of people have filed consumer complaints against these companies. Put your smile in the hands of experts by seeking professional treatment for your overjet.
American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) - Your's First Visit | Parents Guide to Orthodontics
AAO: Parent's Guide Post First Visit https://www.aaoinfo.org/blog/parent-s-guide-post/first-visit/
American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) - Questions to Consider When Researching Direct-To-Consumer Orthodontic Companies
AAO: Online Orthodontic Companies https://www.aaoinfo.org/_/online-orthodontic-companies/
