Fixing Overjet: Causes, Treatment, and Success Rate

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Overbite and Overjet
3. Causes of Overjet
4. Best Treatment for Overjet
5. Solutions for Overjet
6. How Long Does Treatment Take?
7. Will Braces Change the Shape of Your Face?
8. Success Rate of Overjet Treatment
9. What if Treatment is Unsuccessful?
10. Conclusion

Understanding Overbite and Overjet

Overbite and overjet are two common dental problems that affect many people. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference between the two. Overbite refers to the vertical overlap of the top and bottom teeth, while overjet is the protrusion of the top teeth relative to the lower teeth. In this article, we will focus on overjet and discuss its causes, treatment options, and success rate.

Causes of Overjet

The number one cause of overjet is genetics. If your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents had an overjet, you are more likely to develop one as well. Within the genetics category, there are two reasons for having an overjet. The first is that the upper jaw is too developed relative to the lower jaw, which is uncommon. The Second reason is that the lower jaw is underdeveloped, which is more common. You can easily spot this by looking at someone's side profile. If their lower jaw is slightly set back, they will have a slightly Convex facial profile.

Another cause of overjet is thumb sucking or using a dummy for a long time. These habits can cause the teeth to stick forward, leading to an overjet. Sometimes, teeth just grow sticking forward, which is unfortunate.

Best Treatment for Overjet

Years ago, headgear was a common solution for overjet. However, nowadays, we have better alternatives. Orthodontists use appliances that encourage the lower jaw to grow. While it's hard to make the lower jaw grow more than it would kinetically, we can guide teeth and remodel bone to help maximize that growth potential.

One way to correct overjet is by using elastics. They connect the top and lower brace and Apply pressure to push and pull the jaws into their correct positions. Elastics work brilliantly in cases that aren't too severe. Other appliances used in more severe cases include a twin-block appliance and the Herbst appliance.

The twin-block appliance is a removable brace that is popular in the UK. It's made from separate upper and lower parts that interlock, placing the lower jaw into a more advanced position. The Herbst appliance is fixed on two teeth on the inside of the mouth and applies pressure to push the jaw forward. This has an AdVantage over elastics as it is fixed in place.

Solutions for Overjet

The best time to correct overjet is just before the growth spurt in boys and girls, between the ages of ten and thirteen. This is when we're most likely to get the jaw to grow favorably. This phase of treatment of growing a jaw normally takes between 9 to 12 months.

How Long Does Treatment Take?

The length of treatment for overjet depends on the severity of the case. In mild cases, treatment can take as little as six months. In more severe cases, it can take up to two years. However, the average treatment time is between 9 to 12 months.

Will Braces Change the Shape of Your Face?

This is a much-debated topic. While braces may tip teeth into their correct positions to compensate for the underlying jaw discrepancies, research suggests that there may be some short-term jaw growth alteration. However, the length and position of the lower jaw are mainly governed by genetic makeup. Therefore, there are unlikely to be any major changes to your jaw position or shape.

Success Rate of Overjet Treatment

It's really difficult to predict who will respond well to overjet treatments. However, the success rate of these treatments is generally high. Elastics work brilliantly in cases that aren't too severe, while the twin-block and Herbst appliances are used in more severe cases. If these treatments aren't successful, extractions or jaw surgery may be considered.

What if Treatment is Unsuccessful?

If overjet treatment is unsuccessful, extractions or jaw surgery may be considered. Extractions involve removing one or more teeth to Create space in the mouth. Jaw surgery involves repositioning the jaws to correct the overjet. However, these options are usually considered only in severe cases.

Conclusion

Overjet is a common dental problem that affects many people. While genetics is the number one cause of overjet, habits like thumb sucking and using a dummy for a long time can also lead to an overjet. The best time to correct overjet is just before the growth spurt in boys and girls, between the ages of ten and thirteen. Treatment options include elastics, the twin-block appliance, and the Herbst appliance. The success rate of these treatments is generally high, but if they are unsuccessful, extractions or jaw surgery may be considered.