You may have heard of overjet and overbite in relation to orthodontic treatment, but what do they actually mean? An overjet refers to how much your upper jaw extends past your lower jaw when your mouth is closed and an overbite refers to how much your upper teeth overlap your lower teeth when your mouth is closed. Each term describes the position of one set of teeth in relation to another set of overbite braces so the only way you can know whether you have an overbite or an overjet is by examining both sets of teeth at once.
Understanding the differences between these two terms
overjet and overbite is crucial to understanding what you may or may not need. In general, both conditions can be corrected with an overjet vs overbite braces treatment plan. However, each condition also has its own distinct set of symptoms that must be considered as well as how you want your teeth to look when your treatment is complete. Understanding which one you have will allow you to determine if you need special instructions for any aspect of your braces care like avoiding sports or soft foods during certain parts of your treatment.
Defining Overjet
When we say overjet, we’re referring to an alignment issue between your upper and lower teeth. It’s possible to have an overbite without having any overjet (your top teeth are in front of your bottom teeth), or vice versa. with your lower jawline. Both issues can be corrected with orthodontic treatment, but how you go about it depends on which of these factors is at play for you.
Understanding how to correct each
An overbite refers to when your upper jaw extends past your lower. It’s normal for both jaws to extend beyond each other, but an overbite is a problem if it causes discomfort or breathing issues. In some cases, you can correct an overbite through braces or even dental surgery; however, most dental professionals recommend that patients correct their overbites with a combination of adjustments (orthognathic surgery) and orthodontics (braces). Some people will have more overlap in their jaw structure than others; that’s why you should see a dentist who understands jaw relationships before making any major decisions about correcting an overbite.
How we correct overbites at Alpha Orthodontics
At Alpha Orthodontics, we correct overbites using lingual (behind-the-teeth) braces. Lingual braces are hidden from view, which means they won’t be an eyesore in your selfies or in front of your friends. Plus, as you can probably guess from their name, lingual braces sit on top of your teeth rather than around them; over time, that means you may need fewer adjustments for orthodontic treatment. For more information about treating overbites at our practice in Austin, Texas and other area cities, contact us today! Alpha Orthodontics is a premier orthodontic care provider serving patients throughout Central Texas. Our friendly team is here to help!
How Do correct overjets With Braces
A lot of our patients ask us which needs to be corrected first, overjets or overbites. It’s a great question! Here’s our take on it: Many of our patients are concerned. That they don’t want braces on their teeth for longer than necessary. At Orthodontics, we try to correct these issues as efficiently as possible. Fortunately, in many cases both overjets and overbites can be corrected at once with clear aligners. In other cases, it may not be possible to correct both simultaneously with clear aligners; if that is your case, then rest assured that we will correct. Your overjet before starting orthodontic treatment for your overbite.
