Do I Still Have an Overbite?

One common question I receive as an orthodontist is about overbites. I will answer some of the most common questions and review some terminology.

What is an Overbite?

An overbite is the vertical overlap of the top front teeth over the bottom front teeth. The truth is that it is completely normal to have somewhat of an overbite. We need to have an overbite in order to properly chew our food. If there was no overlap of the teeth, they would hit each other when you bite down which can lead to chipping of the teeth and premature wear of the enamel. Typically somewhere between 20-40% overlap is a relatively "normal" overbite. This can vary based on the patient. The overbite is generally considered excessive when it is more than 50% which is when it may cause issues.

What Can an Overbite Lead to?

• Excessive tooth wear
• Headaches
• Speech issues
• Tooth chipping
• Gum disease due to difficulty cleaning between the teeth
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

Overbite vs. Overjet

These two terms are often used interchangeably, however they are two separate conditions. An overbite refers to the vertical overlap of the front teeth, while overjet refers to the horizontal distance between the top and bottom front teeth. Patients that have excessive overjet, have top front teeth that protrude or flare out. These is often referred to as "buck teeth". You can have both excessive overjet and excessive overbite, however they are two separate conditions. Many patients that are concerned that their front teeth stick out refer to their concern as an "overbite".

What Causes an Overbite

An excessive overbite can be caused by many different factors such as

• Genetics
• Smaller lower jaw
• Habits such as Thumb sucking, lip sucking, tongue thrusting
• Abnormal tooth eruption

How Can an Overbite be Treated?

The treatment for an overbite depends on many factors depending on the original presentation. Please call our office for a free consultation to make the first steps to determining what is the best option for you!

• Braces
• Invisalign
• Appliances: Some appliances can be used either alone or in combination with braces or Invisalign to correct an overbite
• Surgery: if the jaw misalignment is very severe, surgery may be necessary and an oral surgeon will reposition the jaws in order to achieve a proper bite position. This is done in combination with orthodontic treatment.

FAQ's

Is having somewhat of an overbite normal?
Yes, there should be some overlap of the upper front teeth compared to the lower front teeth

What amount of an overbite is normal?
Generally 20-40% of overbite as a general rule can be considered normal

NOTE: The author, Dr. Eric Strouse DMD MDS is a specialist in orthodontics in the practice of orthodontics in Spring Hill and Lecanto, Florida. He was trained at Muhlenberg College for his Bachelors Degree where he competed on the track and field team. He completed his dental training at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, earning a Doctorate of Medicine in Dentistry(DMD). He completed a one year General Practice Residency at St. Luke's Hospital in Allentown, PA and his specialty training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at Rutgers University where he also completed a Masters in Dental Science. Dr. Strouse has been published in the Sri Lankan Journal of Orthodontics and has written several articles for Dental Economics. Dr. Strouse is an expert in two-phase orthodontic treatment, phase 1 interceptive treatment, extraction and non-extraction treatment, Invisalign clear aligners, and multiple bracket systems(custom braces, self ligating braces, conventional braces). This blog is for informational purposes only.