Overjet is when the upper teeth are too far in front of the lower teeth, caused by improper alignment, bone deformities, or bad oral habits. It can be corrected through changes to the bone or orthodontic hardware. Treatment varies based on severity, cause, and age.
Overjet, also called protrusion or overbite, occurs when the upper teeth are too far in front of the lower row of teeth. It can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as improper alignment of teeth, bone deformities, and even bad oral habits. Some dentists and orthodontists may advise their patients to consider overbite correction. It can usually be corrected through changes to the bone or through orthodontic hardware, such as braces or a headpiece.
There are several causes of overjet. For example, the molars may be improperly aligned or the upper incisors may be flared. Sometimes there is a problem with the jaw bone itself, such as an upper jaw that is overdeveloped or a lower jaw that is underdeveloped. People, especially children, with bad oral habits are also susceptible to biting. For example, children who suck their thumbs, thrust their tongues, or suck on a solid object, such as a plastic toy, may also be more likely to have their upper teeth protruding significantly over their lower teeth.
Patients and their dentists and orthodontists may have many reasons why they want to correct overjet. For example, many patients want to improve their appearance. Poor appearance can harm some individuals psychologically, lowering their self-esteem and making them prone to teasing. Dentally, the condition can also be corrected to avoid permanent damage to the upper front teeth or face following an injury. For example, if a person with severe overbite were to fall on their face, it could damage their teeth or even cause a protruding jaw bone to break.
In many cases, overjet can be diagnosed by a dentist when the patient turns seven or eight. An experienced orthodontist will determine when treatment should begin, typically when all of the adult teeth are coming in. In some cases, an orthodontist can start treatment before the permanent teeth erupt to prevent damage to other teeth. Even if treatment begins while the baby teeth are still intact, that doesn’t mean that treatment shouldn’t continue when the adult teeth are erupting.
Treatment varies from person to person. Some factors that determine treatment include the severity of the condition, the cause of the condition, and the patient’s age. Treatment may include the use of orthodontic hardware, such as headgear, braces, palatal expanders, elastics, and tooth extractions. If the overjet is the result of a bone deformity, jaw surgery may be required.
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