Overjet vs Overbite: What’s The Difference?

You have probably heard of both an overbite and an overjet. However, what actually are they and how do they differ? Well, an overbite and overjet are common orthodontic conditions, but they are distinctly different to one another.

A healthy bite is an aspect of our oral health that many of us take for granted, but it plays a key role in promoting long-term oral health, clear speech and overall structural comfort.  

In this Fox Orthodontics blog, we are going to break down an overjet vs overbite, what the differences are, and how your Norwest orthodontist can help treat them moving forward. 

What Is An Overjet?

An overjet is what people commonly refer to as ‘buck teeth’. It refers to a prominent horizontal overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth. The top front teeth in this condition are too far forward. An overjet puts a person at greater risk of chipping their front teeth when they fall or get them knocked out. Alongside this, an overjet can also prevent a person from closing their lips comfortably. The general normal range for an overjet is a protrusion of the upper incisors by 1.5 to 2.5 millimetres.

What Is An Overbite?

Overbite teeth are a vertical dental issue in which a patient’s upper front teeth protrude over the lower front teeth. A small gap is normal and nothing to worry about, but when the top front teeth cover too much of the bottom teeth, it becomes a more serious issue. The general rule of thumb is that an overbite of between 2 and 3 millimetres is normal, but anything greater than that may indicate a more serious issue. 

Overjet vs Overbite 

From just a general outside look, it’s easy to get the difference between an overjet and an overbite muddled. We have created a helpful table that clearly breaks down the main characteristics of both:

Why Do People Mix The Two Up?

The majority of confusion between overbite and overjet comes down to the term ‘bite’ doing too much. 

The term overbite is much more common in everyday language. It has been around significantly longer than overjet, so the former has often been the go-to term for situations where the upper and lower teeth don’t line up. 

There is also a more practical reason the two can get blurred: they often happen together. It is possible to have both an increased overjet (upper teeth protruding forward) and a deep overbite (upper teeth overlapping too far down) in the same mouth.

When two things are happening at once, it’s easy to fold them into a single label. 

Generally, if you’ve been using “overbite” to describe teeth that stick out forward, you’re in good company, but the precise word for that is overjet. 

Why Do Both Conditions Matter?

It is worth knowing that having an overjet or an overbite isn’t automatically a problem. Almost everyone has some of both. A small amount is completely normal and simply part of how teeth fit together. 

What can make a difference is the degree. When an overjet or overbite is more pronounced, it’s sometimes linked to things like uneven wear on certain teeth, difficulty cleaning particular areas, or general discomfort with how the bite feels. 

Whether any of that applies to a given person depends entirely on their individual mouth, which is something only a dentist can assess in person. 

If you have noticed that your teeth sit well outside the normal range, or you’re simply unsure, that’s a reasonable reason to have a dentist take a look. 

Treatment Options for Overjet and Overbite

If your orthodontist believes an overjet or overbite is pronounced enough to require treatment, they might discuss a few general approaches. Which treatment option is suitable depends on the individual and what the orthodontist believes is the right course of action. 

Some of the common treatment options include:

• Braces: Traditional fixed braces are among the most common ways to gradually move teeth into better alignment. 
• Clear Aligners: Removable, custom-made trays that are suitable for some people as an alternative to fixed braces. 
• Functional or Orthodontic Appliances: Particularly relevant for younger patients whose jaws are still developing. 
• Surgery: Reserved for more significant cases where the underlying issue is related to jaw structure rather than tooth position. 

The key point is that overjet and overbite are both well-understood and routinely managed. What’s right for one person won’t be right for another, so a proper assignment is the starting point rather than any assumption based on appearance alone. At Fox Orthodontics, our passionate team are experts at treating both overbites and overjets. 

Is It Better To Treat An Overbite Or Overjet Early Or As An Adult?

Overbites and overjets are generally best treated early on, before your child’s growth spurt. The key years for children are between the ages of 10 and 14, during their teenage growth spurt. So, treating an overbite or overjet between the ages of 8 and 10 tends to have stronger outcomes.

For adults, the jaw has finished growing, so orthodontic treatment works with the teeth and bite as they are. This does not mean that treatment can’t be effective, as bites can still be assessed and managed successfully. It just means the considerations are different. 

However, there is no single right answer here; the ‘best timing’ depends on the individual, their specific circumstances, and the guidance from your orthodontists.

Getting an individual assessment of the specific bite is a necessary step to getting the right treatment and outcome. 

Why Choose Fox Orthodontics?

If you are beginning to suspect that you or your child has an overbite or overjet, it’s important to target the issue as early as possible. The passionate team at Fox Orthodontics are experts at treating both overbites and overjets.

We are a family-run orthodontic practice that has served the local community of the Norwest & Hills Districts for more than 40 years. 

Get in touch with our team today by clicking here or calling us on 02 7804 4113 and get your smile back on track.