What Is an Overjet? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Key takeaways

Overjets are common, and not every overjet needs to be corrected. Here are some of the key things about overjets you will learn in this article:

The best way to know whether an overjet needs treatment is to have your whole bite assessed by a dentist or orthodontist.

First, what exactly is an overjet?

If your upper front teeth sit a little farther forward than your lower teeth, you have an overjet. In fact, everyone has some degree of overjet; it’s a normal part of how your upper and lower teeth fit together.

Sometimes, though, that horizontal distance is a little bigger than we'd like. This is known as an excessive overjet, and it can affect everything from the appearance of your smile to the way you bite and chew.

The good news? Overjets are common, and when they do need treatment, we've actually got a few options that we can turn to.

So now let's dive into a little more detail about what an overjet is, what causes it, and what you can do about it.

What is an overjet?

An overjet describes the horizontal distance between your upper and lower front teeth when your mouth is closed naturally.

In a typical bite, the upper front teeth sit slightly ahead of the lower front teeth, but with an excessive overjet, the upper teeth extend farther forward than expected, or the lower teeth sit farther back.

Over the years, the term “buck teeth” has been used to describe protruding front teeth, but this is an informal and often hurtful term. In dentistry, we use the more accurate and neutral term overjet to describe this horizontal relationship between the upper and lower front teeth.

To understand whether an overjet is within a normal range, dentists measure overjet in millimeters (mm), looking at the distance between the upper and lower incisors.

Remember, having an overjet doesn't automatically mean something is wrong. A small amount of horizontal overlap is completely normal.

What is a normal overjet?

A normal overjet is usually just a few millimeters, just enough for your upper teeth to sit slightly ahead of your lower teeth, but not so much that it affects how your bite feels or functions.

You'll commonly see a range of around 2–4 mm described as normal, although the ideal measurement can vary depending on your teeth, bite, jaw and other individual factors.

As the distance between the upper and lower front teeth increases, a dentist or orthodontist may describe it as an increased or excessive overjet.

But the number alone doesn't tell the whole story.

Your dentist or orthodontist will also look at how your teeth come together, your jaw alignment, whether your teeth are crowded or spaced, and whether your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth meet) is causing any functional problems.

So, if you've measured your teeth in the mirror and are now wondering whether you need braces, put the ruler down. An orthodontic assessment will give you a much more useful answer.

Overjet vs. overbite: What's the difference?

Overjet and overbite sound similar, and they're often confused. But they describe two different aspects of your bite. The easiest way to remember the difference is horizontal vs. vertical.

• Overjet is horizontal. It measures how far your upper front teeth project in front of your lower front teeth.
• Overbite is vertical. It describes how much your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth from top to bottom.

It's possible to have an excessive overjet without having an excessive overbite and vice versa. But you can also have both at the same time.

During an assessment, your dental professional will look at all of these relationships together to get a full picture of how your teeth and jaws fit.

What causes an overjet?

There isn't one single cause of excessive overjet. It can develop due to the position of your teeth, the relationship between your upper and lower jaws (skeletal development), or childhood oral habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. In many cases, it’s a combination of these factors.

Genetics and jaw development

The size and shape of your jaws are influenced by genetics. For example, if there is a family tendency toward a skeletal pattern where the lower jaw sits slightly further back, or the upper jaw sits further forward, you may be more likely to develop an increased overjet.

Tooth position

In some cases, jaw alignment can be well within the normal range, but the upper front teeth can tip upward or sit a little further forward than expected.

Crowding and other types of teeth misalignment can also lead to changes in the way your upper and lower teeth come together, resulting in an excessive overjet.

Childhood oral habits

Some childhood habits can seem harmless, but when they stick around for a long time, they can influence how a child’s teeth and bite develop.

These can include:

• Prolonged thumb or finger sucking
• Extended pacifier use
• Tongue thrusting, where the tongue regularly pushes against the front teeth

Having one of these habits doesn’t automatically mean a child will develop an excessive overjet. It really comes down to how often it happens and how long the habit continues as the child grows.

Can an overjet cause problems?

For many people, an increased overjet is primarily a cosmetic concern. For others, it can affect function or make the front teeth more vulnerable.

Depending on how pronounced it is, an excessive overjet can sometimes lead to:

• Difficulty biting or chewing certain foods
• Speech changes in some cases
• Discomfort related to the bite
• Difficulty comfortably closing the lips over the front teeth
• Increased risk of injury to protruding front teeth

That last point is particularly important for children who are active or play sports. Teeth that project significantly forward can be more exposed if there's a fall or impact to the mouth.

An excessive overjet can also affect how someone feels about their smile. That's a valid reason to ask about treatment, too. Orthodontic care isn't only about creating a technically ideal bite; it's also about helping you feel comfortable with your smile.

How do you fix an overjet?

How an overjet is treated depends on why it's happening.

An overjet caused mainly by the position of the teeth may need a different approach from one caused by the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. Your age, the severity of the overjet, whether there is crowding and your overall bite function will all be considered when creating your treatment plan.

Common approaches for addressing an excessive overjet include:

Braces

Traditional braces can gradually move the teeth into better positions and reduce excessive overjet.

Depending on your bite, treatment may involve moving the upper front teeth back, adjusting other teeth to create space, or coordinating the upper and lower arches so they fit together more comfortably.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners could also be able to correct certain types of overjet.

Aligners use a series of custom-made trays to gradually move your teeth. Depending on the case, attachments or elastics may be used alongside the aligners to achieve particular movements.

Although clear aligners can be effective for some cases of overjet, they may not be the most effective treatment for your smile. An orthodontic assessment with a dental professional can determine whether clear aligners are appropriate for your specific case.

Growth-guiding orthodontic treatment

For children and teenagers who are still growing, appliances designed to influence the relationship between the jaws or guide developing teeth may be used.

Timing is super important here. That's why orthodontic evaluations during childhood can be helpful. Even if treatment isn't needed immediately, an early evaluation allows your dentist or orthodontist to look ahead and plan to begin treatment at a time that is likely to produce the best possible outcome.

Jaw surgery

In adults with a significant skeletal discrepancy between the jaws, orthodontic treatment alone may not be enough to fully correct the underlying problem.

In more severe cases, orthognathic (jaw) surgery may be considered alongside orthodontic treatment.

Commonly known as surgical orthodontics, this two-pronged approach is generally reserved for substantial jaw discrepancies, not the typical overjet many people are diagnosed with.

Can Invisalign fix an overjet?

In many cases, yes. Clear aligners like Invisalign can help correct an overjet, particularly when it’s caused by the position of the teeth.

However, not every case is suitable. The best treatment depends on the underlying cause and the complexity of your bite. Depending on your diagnosis, a different orthodontic approach may be a more effective option for you.

Following a comprehensive orthodontic assessment, your dentist or orthodontist can let you know whether Invisalign clear aligners could be a suitable treatment for your overjet.

When should you see an orthodontist about an overjet?

Why keep second-guessing? An orthodontic evaluation can take the guesswork out and give you a clear idea of what, if anything, needs attention. And if you do have an excessive overjet, it simply opens up a conversation about your options. It doesn’t mean you’ll be pressured to start treatment right away.

It’s worth booking a consultation with a dentist or orthodontist if your upper front teeth sit noticeably forward, your bite feels uncomfortable, you have difficulty chewing, or you’re simply unhappy with how your teeth align.

If you’re concerned about your child’s bite, an orthodontic assessment can help spot developing issues early. That doesn’t always mean starting treatment straight away. Often, the best approach is simply to keep an eye on how their teeth and jaws develop and step in at the right time, if needed.

And if you’re an adult who’s had an overjet for years? Rest assured that you haven’t missed your chance to feel happier about your smile. Orthodontic treatment can be an option at any age, including your senior years! Getting an assessment is simply a chance to understand your bite better so you can decide what feels right for you.

At Tend, we can take a closer look at your bite, answer your questions and help you understand your options, without any pressure to start treatment.

Frequently asked questions about overjet

An overjet is just one part of your bite

An overjet can be barely noticeable or much more pronounced. Either way, the measurement itself is only one piece of the picture. What matters is how your teeth and jaws work together, and whether your bite is comfortable, functional and feels right to you.