My Dentist Says I Have Overjet. What Is That?

Overjet is how the upper front teeth coincide with the lower front teeth in a horizontal direction.

Overjet is measured by dentists and orthodontists in millimeters. The optimal range is 2 - 3 millimeters.

Too much overjet gives the impression that the upper front teeth stick out.

Too little overjet, or negative overjet, give an underbite appearance.

Orthodontists can fix an overjet - and overbite - outside of a normal range, usually with rubber bands. However, severe cases may have to be treated in a different way.