Overbite vs Overjet: Key Differences And Treatment Options
MDS - Orthodontics, 20+ years of experience. Co-Founder of MakeO Toothsi, consultant lingual Orthodontist, inventor of India's 1st CAD/CAM lingual bracket system, and aligners specialist.
Updated on July 1, 2026
Do you think you have an overbite teeth ? There’s a good chance you’re wrong. It can be an overjet, too. An overbite and overjet may seem the same thing, but getting these two mixed up can lead to unsatisfactory results after you’re done using clear aligners prescribed by your orthodontist.
Overbite vs Overjet: Key Differences And Treatment Options
The difference between the two actually matters. Not sure what you have? Don’t worry, we are here to explain everything to you. So, without further ado, let’s explore what the differences are between an overbite and an overjet and the treatment options.
What Is An Overbite?
An overbite (sometimes also referred as deep bite)is a dental condition in which the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth by more than 4 millimetres. It is the vertical misalignment between the lower and the upper teeth.
However, if you have a vertical non-alignment of the upper teeth and lower teeth by 2 to 4 millimeters, it’s normal.
Overbites, if not treated, can have the following implications on overall health:
- Jaw stiffness and pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Tooth erosion
- Chewing difficulty
- TMJ disorder or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (This condition affects the joints in your jaw that help it move)
What Is An Overjet?
An overjet (or buck teeth) is a dental condition where the upper teeth stick out past the lower teeth by more than 2 millimeters. It is the horizontal misalignment between the teeth of the lower and upper jaws.
Most people have a normal overjet. If your front teeth don’t protrude over the lower teeth by more than 2 millimeters, you have a normal overjet.
Overjets, if not treated in time, can have the following implications on overall health:
- Facial pain
- Jaw pain
- Headaches
- Tooth erosion
- TMJ disorder
Plus, in some cases, it may make it harder for you to floss or brush properly, leading to poor oral health. This can lead to gum disease and cavities.
Overbite vs Overjet: Key Differences
While an overbite and overjet may seem the same, their key differences lie in factors such as the angle of misalignment, impact, causes, symptoms, and so on. Let’s look at those.
Appearance And Alignment
Overbite is the vertical misalignment (of more than 4 millimeters) of the teeth of the lower and upper jaw. Overjet, on the other hand, is the horizontal misalignment (more than 2 millimeters).
Overjets and overbites can be noticed from different angles. While you can notice an overjet if you look at the person from the side, you can easily notice an overbite if you’re standing in front of the person.
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Impact On Oral Health
If you have an overbite, you can experience jaw stiffness, chewing difficulties, tooth erosion, and TMJ disorder.
In case of an overjet, you can face jaw and facial pain, tooth decay, and TMJ disorder. Additionally, overjet makes it hard for you to floss or brush properly, increasing the risk of gum disease.
Causes
Overbite can be an issue that runs in families (or a genetic issue). Traits like the jaw shape that you genetically inherit can lead to misalignment of your teeth. However, there are other causes of overbite, too, like:
- Excessive biting of nails
- Bruxism (or teeth grinding)
- If you press the tongue too far forward (or tongue thrusting)
- Prolonged use of pacifiers (past 3 years of age) or thumb sucking
Similarly, buck teeth (or overjet) can be an issue related to genetics. That means if your biological parent or sibling has an overjet, you have a higher risk of developing one. Along with that, other overjet causes include:
- Tongue thrusting
- Excessive thumb sucking
- Prolonged use of pacifiers
Symptoms
The symptoms of an overjet or overbite vary depending on the severity of the misalignment. According to a NLM (National Library of Medicine) study, it was found that almost 13% adults and 20% children suffer from overbite (more than 5 millimetre). So, it is quite common to have an overbite.
But, how can you identify an overbite or overjet?
You have a deep bite (overbite) if you:
- Have tooth erosion
- Can’t breathe properly
- Have pain while chewing
- Suffer from jaw pain, cavities, or gum disease
- Have issues with speech
You have an overjet if you have:
- Trouble biting or chewing
- Difficulty closing your mouth completely
- Tongue or inner cheek ulcers from accidental biting
- Face, tooth, or jaw pain
- Speech issues (uncommon)
Noticing any of these symptoms? Book Toothsi’s free home scan now!
Overbite vs Overjet: Treatment Options
Deep bites (overbites) can be treated at any age. However, the correct course of treatment lies in the severity of the deep bite and age. Overbite treatment options vary for children and adults.
What are the treatment options for overbite in children?
As children are still in their growth phase, their teeth can shift easily, and their bones are softer than those of adults. So, dentists can easily fix deep bites in children using orthodontics. The treatment options include:
- Palate expanders to widen the upper jaw
- Headgear to correct misalignment
- Braces and clear aligners to align the teeth properly
- Removal of baby teeth
- Retainers that help maintain the alignment after the usage of braces
Learn More: Best Age For Your Child To Get Braces
How to correct overbites in adults?
In some cases, orthodontic treatment alone can fix overbites in adults. In others, they might need a corrective jaw surgery alongside braces. Overbite treatment options for adults include:
- Invisible aligners and braces to correct teeth alignment
- Tooth extractions to free space
- Orthognathic surgery (corrective jaw surgery) to fix misalignment
- Retainers to maintain alignment
The treatment options for an overjet depend upon the complexity of the condition, age, and how much the overjet is interfering with the chewing function or oral health. The treatment options for overjet include:
- Orthodontic aligners or braces: Invisible aligners or braces correct misalignment issues by providing consistent pressure.
- Headgear: It is a device that helps with teeth alignment. Orthodontic headgears fix overjet by applying gentle pressure on the jaws or teeth. Headgears are often prescribed to children.
- Herbst appliance: The Herbst appliance is a device that moves your lower jaw forward to correct the misalignment. It works best on teens and children who are still in the growing phase. The Herbst appliance is rarely prescribed to adults (except in the treatment of sleep apnea).
- Palate Expanders: An orthodontic palate expander is an oral device that is used to widen the upper jaw. It is placed on the roof of the mouth and helps shift the jawbone halves apart.
- Oral Surgery: It is any surgical procedure that involves your gums, tongue, teeth, or any other parts of the mouth.
In case you are only concerned with the aesthetics, certain cosmetic dentistry treatments can help you camouflage the overjet, like the following:
- Dental bonding
- Veneers
- Dental crowns
But you can’t fix an overjet without surgery or orthodontics.
Fix Overbite With Toothsi
Knowing the difference between an overbite and an overjet is more than just knowing the terminology; it's about taking control of your oral health. Both conditions, if left untreated, can lead to serious long-term consequences, including jaw pain, tooth erosion, TMJ disorder, and even difficulties with everyday activities like eating and speaking.
What’s good news? Both conditions are highly treatable. Early intervention, especially in children, can make treatment simpler and more effective, but it's never too late for adults to seek help, either. The most important thing is not to ignore the symptoms. If you notice persistent jaw pain, difficulty chewing, or visible misalignment, consulting an orthodontist should be your next step.
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and more importantly, it directly impacts your quality of life. Don't wait for the problem to worsen. Book a free consultation with Toothsi today and let our experts create a personalized treatment plan that puts you on the path to the smile you've always wanted.
