Normally, the maxillary anterior teeth must be positioned 2 millimeters forward than the mandible. In case the maxillary teeth are positioned more than 2 millimeters forward than the mandible, in terminology we say that the patient has an increased overjet. The cause of this phenomena may be problems related to the jaws (hyper development of maxilla or decrease in the development of mandible or possibly a combination of both) or dental problems (maxillary prognathism of anterior teeth or mandibular prognathism of anterior teeth or a combination of the both) or a combination of both jaw and dental problems.
Causes of overjet
Habits such as thumb sucking, lip sucking, tongue sucking may have a role in the formation of this problem. Furthermore, increased overjet may increase the risk of trauma, strike or injury to the upper anterior teeth. In case the problems are related to the jaw or skeleton the treatment must be based on the nature of the problem. If the jaw or skeleton, problem is the maxillary prognathism, the maxilla must be realigned back to its correct position. And if it is about mandibular retrognathia, the mandible must be realigned forward to its correct position. And if the problem is about both of the jaws, both must be realigned to their correct positions.
If the problem is dental, such that maxillary anterior teeth are positioned way more forward, the maxillary teeth must get positioned back and if the mandibular anterior teeth are way back, they must get positioned much forward, and if the problem is the teeth of both jaws both must concurrently get resolved. If the problem is about the jaw and skeleton abnormalities, the treatment must happen before puberty. Otherwise, in case the patient waits till after puberty, there is the possibility of operating surgery alongside orthodontia. In case the problem is dental and there are no gum problems, the abnormality of the patient can get treated at any age.
Overjet treatment
The treatment of overjet has no specific age restriction. A patient suffering overjet car refer to an orthodontist for treatment at any age. In case the problem is dental, orthodontic treatments would be sufficient. Fixed orthodontics has been very effective in treating overjet and this treatment takes 1.5 to 2 years. In occasions which jaw abnormalities are the cause of overjet the orthodontist in addition to rearranging the teeth also refers the patient to a maxillofacial surgeon. If the patient hasn’t reached skeletal maturation, there would be no need for maxillofacial surgery. Jaw motion is conceivable via removable orthodontic appliances before the age of maturation.