In most cases, the upper front teeth of people slightly overlap their lower teeth. It’s usually so small that it isn’t noticeable. It’s not necessary to treat minor issues like an overbite or an overjet.
A child with an overjet or excessive overbite is a different story. These conditions are cause for concern.
What is overbites or overjets?
An Overbite is a vertically misaligned set of teeth. When the mouth is closed, the top front teeth overlap the lower teeth. This is sometimes called a “deep-bite.”
An overjet occurs when teeth are misaligned horizontally. The front teeth of the upper jaw are moved far forward and extend ahead of the lower teeth. Some people call it “buck teeth” when excessive.
Overjet and overbite are two different types of bite problems. An overjet is a problem where the upper front teeth protrude forward more than an overbite.
What are the causes of these conditions?
Heredity causes an overbite. You inherit your teeth and jaw shape. A small lower jaw can lead to an overbite if genetics is a factor.
Childhood Behaviors can cause overbites or overjets as well, including
- Thumb sucking or pacifier use past age 3
- When swallowing or speaking, the tongue thrusts forward too much.
- Use of a bottle for a long time can be harmful to your baby
- Nail biting is excessive.
- Teeth grinding
You can reduce your child’s chances of developing an overbite by reducing the above behaviors.
What are the problems that can arise from over biting and over-jetting?
Overjet or excessive overbite can lead to serious oral health problems, including:
- Gum disease
- Biting, chewing and swallowing difficult
- Tooth decay can occur in areas that are difficult to clean
- TMD or jaw issues
- Full opening or closing of the mouth difficult
- Damage to teeth, gums, and palate
- Crowded or crooked Teeth
- Speech Issues
- Breathing difficulties
- Social Concern with Appearance
What are the treatment options available?
Take your child to the dental office as soon as teeth appear, or by the time the child reaches his first birthday. The dentist will check your child’s teeth for alignment problems during regular dental visits.
If an issue is found, your dentist may refer your child for orthodontic treatment around age 7. An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the alignment of teeth and jaws. Treatment will depend on the severity of the problem and the development of the permanent teeth, the jaws and the face.
During puberty when facial bones are still developing, it is best to correct overbites and excesses. Most often, this is accomplished by:
- Traditional braces consisting of metal brackets connected by wire placed on the teeth
- Invisible Aligners are a series of replaceable clear plastic retainers that move teeth in the same way as traditional braces
- Dental Appliances such as a palatal extender that widens the roof of the jaw to allow for all the teeth
If the problem is severe, jaw surgery can be used to correct it, but this solution is most commonly used in adults.
Overbites and overjets can be treated. Discuss any concerns that you may have regarding the development of your child’s teeth with his or her dentist.
