What is overjet?
Overjet describes the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth. If the upper front teeth sit too far forward relative to the lowers, the overjet is increased.
A small amount can be normal. The issue is whether the relationship is excessive for that person’s bite and face.
How is overjet different from overbite?
Overbite describes vertical overlap. Overjet describes front-to-back projection. A person can have one, the other, both or neither.
Because the words sound similar, adults often leave consultations unsure which problem was actually being discussed.
Why might increased overjet matter?
Depending on severity, increased overjet can affect appearance, lip posture, bite function and sometimes trauma risk for the upper incisors.
Whether treatment is recommended depends on the whole case rather than one number by itself.
How do orthodontists treat it?
Treatment may involve braces or aligners combined with elastics, anchorage strategies, extraction decisions in selected cases or surgical planning in severe skeletal patterns.
The plan depends on whether the issue is mostly dental, mostly skeletal or a mixture.
What is especially relevant for adults?
Adults may have periodontal considerations, restorations or previous orthodontic history that shape how aggressively the bite can be changed. Realistic goals and stability matter as much as mechanics.
Good questions for your consult
Ask whether your overjet is mild or significant, whether the issue is dental or skeletal, and what the plan is to keep the result stable after treatment.
Sources & further reading
- British Orthodontic Society — Patient information — General patient explanations of bite problems.
- NHS — Braces and orthodontics — General orthodontic overview relevant to adult treatment planning.
These references support general educational information. Your own orthodontist or dentist should advise you based on your teeth, gums, bite, medical history and treatment goals.