The protrusion of upper front teeth, commonly known as "buck teeth" or "overjet," is a common reason for patients seeking treatment.
Can adults with overjet undergo braces treatment? Can invisible braces be used?
There is no age limit for braces treatment, and adults can also receive orthodontic correction. Treatment options include traditional metal braces, lingual braces (braces attached to the back of the teeth), and invisible braces such as Invisalign. The treatment with invisible braces can involve options like extraction and non-extraction (closing gaps or moving molars backward), depending on the individual case.
Improvement of severe overjet in adults (Duration: 18 months, Method: Invisalign invisible braces, non-extraction approach).
Correction of mild overjet (Duration: 1 year, Method: Invisalign invisible braces, non-extraction approach).
Treatment for moderate overjet without tooth extraction (Duration: 1 year, Method: Invisalign invisible braces, non-extraction approach).
Why is it important to improve overjet (buck teeth) early?
In addition to affecting appearance, overjet can also impact a child's social interactions and self-confidence. Furthermore, overjet increases the risk of dental injuries. Research conducted in the UK has shown that children and adolescents with overjet have a higher chance of dental trauma compared to those with normal occlusion. Since children are often engaged in activities, early orthodontic treatment (between 7 and 11 years old) can reduce this risk. Additionally, many individuals with overjet also experience deep bite issues, which accelerate tooth wear and erosion. Severe deep bite can even cause damage to the gum tissue on the palatal side of the upper front teeth, resulting in gum recession.
When compared to Western populations, Asians tend to have more prominent and fuller lip contours. In some cases, excessive protrusion of the upper and lower jaws (bimaxillary protrusion) can be attributed to either protrusive jaws or protrusive teeth (pseudo-overjet), or a combination of both.
Improvement of bimaxillary protrusion and lip contours (Duration :2years, Method: Invisalign invisible braces, extraction approach).
When is the best time for children to correct overjet?
The treatment of overjet in children is generally divided into two stages: early intervention during the mixed dentition stage (around 7-11 years old) and treatment during the permanent dentition stage (after approximately 12 years old).
Early intervention focuses on functional appliances, which aim to align the teeth and improve jaw development (growth modification). The use of functional appliances requires accurate diagnosis and analysis, including lateral cephalometric X-ray analysis. In addition to traditional functional appliances, newer appliances such as Myobrace are also being increasingly used in clinical practice.
