Overjet

Overjet refers to the horizontal projection of the upper front teeth beyond the lower front teeth when the jaws are closed. It is measured in millimetres; a small overjet (often around 2–3 mm) is considered within the normal range, while a larger overjet indicates increased protrusion and is distinct from an overbite, which describes vertical overlap.

Causes of increased overjet include genetic jaw relationships, tooth position, and childhood habits such as thumb-sucking, and it can lead to functional issues like difficulty biting, altered speech, or higher risk of trauma to the front teeth. Management depends on age and severity and may involve orthodontic treatment to reposition teeth, restorative options to modify tooth shape, or combined approaches chosen by a dental professional to improve function and aesthetics.