Many of us have likely had or know someone who has had corrective braces for crooked or misaligned teeth. However, there are many more types of teeth-related issues that braces may treat.
Let’s examine how braces can be used to correct an alignment issue known as an overjet, including what exactly an overjet is, how it can affect your oral health, and how braces can help.
An overjet is a term many may not be familiar with. Typically most people are familiar with the term overbite, a spacing issue between the top and bottom rows of teeth that causes a person’s bite to be misaligned. While an overbite is characterized by the vertical spacing between the top and bottom teeth, an overjet is very different.
On the other hand, an overjet refers to the protrusion of the top row of teeth, specifically them sticking out further than the bottom teeth. This is colloquially known as “buck teeth” and can have severe consequences if left untreated.
An untreated overjet can cause the lower jaw to rest uncomfortably and unnaturally, leading to other dental issues, possibly even TMJ (lockjaw).
Several factors can cause an overjet. Genetic factors may cause minor overjets, but more severe overjets are likely caused by behavior in childhood that affects the position of the front teeth.
Excessive thumb sucking, pacifier use, bottle suckling, and even pressing against the front teeth with the tongue can all shift the position of the front teeth and cause an overjet. It’s best to correct these behaviors as soon as possible to prevent severe dental complications from occurring.
While there are many options to repair an overjet, if the overjet happens in adulthood or remains untreated into adulthood, then the scope of the damage may require oral surgery before the overbite can be corrected using corrective braces.
If caught early, one of the best ways to correct an overjet is with braces. Most overjets can be corrected using standard metal or ceramic braces or even clear plastic aligners. The best time to correct the issue is in early childhood before the condition can become severe or create other dental issues.
Braces and aligners work by gradually shifting the teeth into position over time until they are straight. Typically, braces are installed over the teeth and are adjusted manually by your dentist at regular intervals in order to safely and effectively move the teeth into the proper position.
This is often why parents of children with an overjet will choose to get braces over other options so that spacing issues can be corrected over time. This way, the entire smile can be straightened out at one time, especially if the overjet has caused crowding or shifting for the other teeth.
Request an appointment here: https://www.orangecoastortho.com or call Orange Coast Orthodontics at (949) 860-1231 for an appointment in our Laguna Hills office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Corrective Braces in Laguna Hills, CA.
Clear braces for teens and traditional braces are two popular options for teenagers who need teeth straightening treatments. Braces are the first effective procedure for straightening teeth and have been used since the 1800s.Virtually everyone on the planet grew up with someone who wore braces, and that is a testament to how effective these devices…
If the idea of wearing clear aligners intrigues you, do not hesitate to find out more about this treatment. For a long time, traditional metal braces were the only teeth-straightening method available. Now, you can count on aligners to correct bite problems and misalignments.It is not difficult to see braces on a person. This orthodontic…
Braces are a great way to straighten misaligned teeth and gain a more attractive smile that you can be proud of. While most people understand the cosmetic benefits of braces, many are not familiar with how braces can positively impact oral health as well as general health.By learning more about the full list of advantages…
Clear aligners and braces are two different dental options that people may consider when hoping to realign or straighten their teeth. While they both offer the same goal in mind, people may not realize that both have different ways of executing the goal. It is important to know the main differences of clear aligners as…
Thinking of going for orthodontic treatment but worried about unsightly metal braces? Read on to…
Clear braces work similarly to how metal braces work but replace the metal components with…
Dental professionals generally recommend a child should see an orthodontist at or around age 7.
Orthodontists do not recommend lingual braces nearly as often for various reasons; nonetheless, they are…
Clear aligners are transparent trays that are placed inside the mouth and gradually pull teeth…
There are now more options than ever for teenagers to reliably and quickly straighten their…
