An overbite refers to how the upper and lower teeth vertically overlap when the jaw is closed. It is measured by the distance between the upper front teeth covering over the lower front teeth, known as the “overjet”.
Between 20-40% overlap is considered within the normal range, where up to 3mm would be a normal overbite and anything above would indicate an overbite condition requiring intervention before worsening.
A normal overbite provides proper functioning for chewing, speaking and facial appearance. Key features include:
A healthy overbite with normal measurements allows proper stability and chewing leverage without straining the jaw joints or damaging tissues of the teeth over time.
Problematic overbites exhibiting abnormal measurements can cause various issues over time:
Excessive overbite refers to upper front teeth covering over lower front teeth beyond the normal range, commonly by 4-5mm or 30% upwards. This is known as a “deep bite”.
Hinders chewing leverage straining jaw muscles
Causes damage breaking down tooth enamel
Speech impediments occur as positioning alters tongue posture
Higher prevalence of biting injuries inside cheeks or gums
Premature aging as overly taut facial skin sags losing support
An open bite occurs when top and bottom front teeth fail to overlap vertically, leaving space between without contact when biting naturally. This inadequate overlap fails to guide proper chewing function.
Insufficient chewing force making eating difficult
Speech difficulties pronouncing syllables
Intrusion of tongue between gap traps debris
Jaw joint popping and discomfort
While normal overbite allows 20-40% overlap relative to the width of bottom teeth, excessive overjet indicates a horizontal gap beyond ideal. This wider gap between upper and lower front’s risks:
Various classifications help dentistry correctly diagnose and treat the cause behind bite issues:
Vertical height discrepancies between upper and lower facial bones. Requires combined orthodontic and surgery solutions.
Misaligned teeth failing to mesh correctly affecting bite. Orthodontia effectively treats most dental overbites.
Uneven tooth contact wearing surfaces improperly while chewing due to misaligned positioning or bruxism teeth grinding. Night guards and orthodontic alignment help reorient bite contact.
Back molars fail to vertically meet while anterior teeth retain normal closure. Custom orthopaedic training realigns positioning.
Mild overbite cases may only require dental bonding resin restorations to add width or enameloplasty slenderizing to rebalance top to bottom overlap. However, moderate to severe overbites usually require orthodontic solutions to successfully realign disrupted bites.
Traditional stainless steel brackets and wires applied to strategically shift teeth positions incrementally over each appointment.
Custom moulded transparent trays changed out sequentially each week gradually guide teeth to drift accurately into ideal positions stealthily.
Some overbites require coaxing jaw growth using external devices to expand or redirect imbalanced development combined with devices cementing progress made with braces.
In severe skeletal cases with deformational growth, orthognathic overbite surgery first repositions the upper or lower jaw more harmoniously. After correcting disproportionate bone structures, teeth can then align in better orientation through orthodontics for optimal bite and facial profile.
Don't gamble your dental health or appearance risking worsening a bite condition that appears borderline. Consult Bayswater Dental Clinic orthodontic specialist promptly if any bite misalignment, speech difficulty, chewing discomfort or accelerated tooth or gum damage emerges. Through precise measurements and high resolution imaging, an expert evaluation determines appropriate solutions.
Don't gamble your dental health or appearance risking worsening a bite condition that appears borderline. Consult Bayswater Dental Clinic orthodontic specialist promptly if any bite misalignment, speech difficulty, chewing discomfort or accelerated tooth or gum damage emerges. Through precise measurements and high resolution imaging, an expert evaluation determines appropriate solutions.
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