An overjet is the measure of how far the top incisors are ahead of the bottom incisors. The top incisors are usually at an angle to the rest of the teeth. Normally the top and bottom teeth touch each other when the mouth closes. No overjet occurs in that situation. If the top teeth are in front of the lower teeth, it’s called appositive overjet. If the top teeth are bent behind the lower teeth, it’s called a negative overjet or an “underjet”.
Overjet Causes:
The major causes of an overjet are crowded teeth so that the teeth push out or in on the top and/or bottom teeth. Thumb sucking or finger sucking can make the situation worse. The biggest cause of an overjet is hereditary and results from a skeletal problem between the upper and lower jaw. The top jaw often extends ahead of the lower jaw and the lower jaw is relatively underdeveloped.
Symptoms of the overjet:
The major symptoms of an overjet are poor self esteem issues because it results in a poor appearance. It is more likely that the upper teeth can become injured because of this position. It is not hard to get tooth fractures or loss of the upper incisors. Overjets are usually diagnosed by the age of 7-8. Treatment can commence after that.
Overjet Prevention:
It is hard to prevent an overjet because much of the problem is hereditary. You can avoid thumb sucking or finger sucking to stop the overjet from getting any worse.
Treatment options:
Treatment can be done at phase I, which is before all adult teeth have become erupted. There is also phase II treatment, which is done after the adult teeth have become erupted. Some orthodontists begin at phase II and don’t even do phase I. Treatment includes functional appliances, palatal expanders, rubber bands, tooth extraction and headgear. In some situations, the orthodontic devices are insufficient to correct the overjet and surgery to the jaw may be necessary.