Overjet V/s Overbite – Understanding the Differences & Treatment Options

Do you also never understand the difference between overjet and overbite? If yes, then worry no more! In this blog, we will explore the difference between overjet v/s overbite, its causes, and its effects alongside a treatment comparison of braces with ALIGNERCO’s affordable and discreet clear aligner solution.

What Is An Overjet?

An overjet represents the horizontal distance that upper teeth extend in front of the lower teeth. It happens when upper front teeth jut out beyond your lower teeth.

Visualizing an Overjet

When you visualize an overjet, it becomes more understandable. Imagine a line between your upper and lower teeth when your mouth is closed. The upper teeth needle marker exceeds the lower teeth marker by an amount extending to the front of the smile. Forward projection directly affects the appearance of your smile, and it can also result in possible functional problems.

Common Issues Associated with Overjets

• Protruding teeth are at greater risk of sustaining injuries in sports activities and unexpected accidents.
• The presence of a large overjet might obstruct proper speech and generate problems with particular sounds.
• Excessive overjet can negatively impact personal self-confidence because it affects appearance during social or professional encounters.
• An excessive overjet poses oral health risks. It hinders dental hygiene maintenance and can cause tooth decay and periodontal disease.

What Is An Overbite?

When the upper front teeth vertically overlap the lower front teeth, it is known as an overbite. The normal relationship between upper and lower teeth involves some upper teeth covering the lower teeth. A “deep bite” diagnosis is established when the teeth overlap to an incompatible degree. A modest overbite occurs frequently, yet most people do not face problems. However, extreme overbite development produces various dental complications.

Visualizing an Overbite

Consider stacking two blocks on top of each other. The top layer shows where the upper teeth reach, while the bottom block demonstrates the position of the lower teeth. If the upper block is vertically a little farther than the lower block when stacked on top of each other, it is known as an overbite. An excessive overbite situation leads to the top block blocking too much of the bottom block, creating possible dental complications in the future.

Common Issues Associated with Overbites

• The prolonged vertical aspect of an overbite causes rapid degradation of tooth surfaces that affects incisors mainly on the lower jaw.
• Jaw pain emerges because deep bites disrupt bite force equilibrium and may result in TMJ disorders or jaw discomfort.
• The lower teeth can cause harm to gum tissue whenever they repeatedly make contact behind the upper teeth during severe situations.

What Does Research Say About Not Fixing Your Overjet v/s Overbite

Research by O'Brien, Worthington, and Clarkson showed that more than 50% of children with an increased overjet are more susceptible to dental trauma, with a particularly elevated risk of chipping/fraction of the upper incisors. It talks about how leaving an overjet or an overbite untreated can lead to a lot of complications in your oral health. It also highlights that it does not only lead to aesthetic problems but can cause functional issues too, like asymmetric tooth wear, gum irritation, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. So, it is important to treat these issues on time.

What Are The Causes of Overjet and Overbite

Overjet and Overbite can be caused by several issues like genetics, bad childhood habits, tongue thrusting, and more.

• Genetics
  

  Dental Misalignments are mostly hereditary. Having a family history of teeth misalignment, such as overbite or overjet, can also make you more likely to develop either. Your genetics can heavily influence your jaw development.

• Thumb-Sucking
  

  Thumb-sucking is another common cause of overbite and overjet. This happens because a child’s jaw is still developing and constant pressure from sucking can cause protruded front teeth.

• Tongue Thrusting
  

  This is an abnormal swallowing habit that puts extra pressure on your upper front teeth which causes an overjet or an overbite.

• Prolonged Use Of Pacifier
  

  If a child uses a pacifier even after the age of 2, there are high chances that his/her teeth can be misaligned into an overjet and overbite depending on the jaw structure.

• Skeletal Discrepancy
  

  A natural mismatch in upper and lower jaw structure leads to uneven development of the teeth causing an overbite or overjet.

• Dental Trauma
  

  Any injury or interruption in the development of teeth during adolescence can also be the cause of overbite or overjet.

Orthodontic Appliances for Treating Overjet V/s Overbite

If overjet or overbite is detected in early childhood, it is easier for you to treat it. There are multiple ways to treat an overbite or overjet through orthodontic devices. This is called interceptive orthodontics, which can cure the problem in its developing stage. Following are the devices that can treat overbite and overjet in young children:

Retainers

Retainers can only help in curing minor overjet and overbite issues in the developmental stage. It is the most cost-effective method that can be used for children but primarily retainers are used for keeping the teeth in position once aligned.

Herbst Appliance

This device is used to treat moderate to severe overjet in children under the age of ten whose jaw is still undergoing development. It is a fixed brace which means it is cemented onto the teeth and is used to move the lower jaw forward and hold it in that position. Worn for 6 to 8 months, it is a more discreet alternative to traditional headgear because it is fixed on the back side of your teeth and it doesn’t show much. It also does not depend on a child’s compliance.

Carriere Distalizer

This device can help fix moderate and severe cases of an overjet or overbite by shifting the upper teeth back and the lower teeth forward. If made with clear materials and elastic, it can be almost invisible. You are required to wear it for 6 to 8 months. However, it does require a child or teenager’s compliance and cooperation to be effective.

Treatment Options for Adults

There are multiple treatment options for treating overjet and overbite in adults, and with modern orthodontic solutions, this treatment has become way easier and more affordable.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are the game changers when it comes to fixing malocclusions; they can fix almost all types of malocclusions except for the open bite. When it comes to overjet and overbite, they work the best. With their discreet appearance and affordable costs, they have become the preferred choice to align your teeth. The treatment takes up to 4-6 months to align your adult teeth and give you a balanced and confident smile.

Braces

Braces are a very well-known and traditional treatment for aligning your teeth; they involve metal wires and brackets to adjust your teeth into an accurate alignment. They usually take 12-24 months to complete the process and require regular dentist visits for maintenance.

Why are ALIGNERCO Clear Aligners the Best?

ALIGNERCO is committed to providing you with easy at-home solutions to all your misalignment issues such as overbites and overjets. Our agenda is to bring affordable orthodontic solutions to you. Keeping in mind the busy lifestyle of most young adults ALIGNERCO provides you with all-day customer support so you can continue your treatment from home or even when you are on a vacation.

Real-Life Success Stories

Case Study 1: Treating Overjet

Carolina Zhanga, a middle-aged woman had an issue of an obvious overjet in her mouth. The overjet distorted her smile and it made her occasionally uncomfortable during social interactions. The free assessment from ALIGNERCO revealed that Carolina met the requirements for clear aligner treatment. Throughout her treatment, she detected systematic dental alignment enhancement. She now smiles with new confidence because she no longer faces the worries that previously constrained her.

Case Study 2: Treating Overbite

Donna Furtado avoided visiting an orthodontist because she did not want the traditional visible braces to affect her looks. Researching for alternative options led her to discover ALIGNERCO Clear Aligners. The treatment plan designed for Donna corrected her overbite and she achieved the symmetric smile she always dreamed of. She was totally satisfied with the treatment process as it was smooth and discreet just like she wanted. She told us she felt more confident in herself because now she has her perfect smile.

Final Thoughts

The first step in your perfect smile starts with identifying the differences between an overjet and an overbite. Although both conditions have their different challenges, current orthodontic treatments, especially clear aligners, are excellent solutions for the modern person who wants an orthodontic treatment that is convenient and almost invisible. At ALIGNERCO, we believe everyone should have the confidence of a great smile. With our at-home clear aligner treatment, you can correct mild to moderate dental misalignments without compromising on convenience or aesthetics. Our experts are dedicated to helping you through every stage of your treatment to get the best results.

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