In this article
Protruding front teeth, known clinically as overjet, is one of the more common reasons people look into clear aligner treatment as adults. The good news is that mild to moderate overjet is one of the cases clear aligners handle well, though the specifics depend on how pronounced the protrusion is and what is causing it.
What Overjet Actually Is
Overjet describes how far your upper front teeth extend forward relative to your lower front teeth. Everyone has some degree of overjet, since a small amount is part of a normal, healthy bite. It becomes a cosmetic or functional concern when the gap is pronounced enough to be visually noticeable, affect how the lips sit at rest, or cause the front teeth to be more exposed to chipping or injury.
Overjet is different from an overbite, which refers to vertical overlap rather than horizontal protrusion, though the two often occur together.
Can Clear Aligners Fix It?
For mild to moderate overjet, clear aligners can be effective. Treatment works by gradually moving the upper front teeth back and, depending on the case, adjusting the position of the lower teeth to improve how the bite meets. The degree of correction achievable depends on how much the teeth need to move and whether the underlying cause is purely dental, meaning the teeth themselves are angled forward, versus skeletal, meaning the jaw bones themselves are positioned differently.
Mild Versus Severe Cases
Dental overjet, where the jaw alignment is essentially normal but the teeth are angled forward, generally responds well to aligner treatment. Skeletal overjet, where the upper or lower jaw itself is positioned further forward or back than typical, is a different situation. Severe skeletal cases often need orthodontic treatment combined with growth management in younger patients, or in some adult cases, surgical evaluation, rather than aligners alone.
This is exactly the kind of distinction a clinical assessment is designed to catch. A case that looks similar on the surface to someone else's successfully treated overjet might have a different underlying cause that changes what treatment is appropriate.
What Treatment Involves
If your case is assessed as suitable, treatment typically involves a series of aligner trays that gradually reposition the front teeth, worn in sequence over the course of your treatment plan. Depending on the case, attachments, small tooth-coloured bumps bonded to specific teeth, may be used to help the aligners apply more precise force where it is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all protruding teeth correctable with clear aligners?
No. Mild to moderate dental overjet generally responds well, but significant skeletal overjet, where the jaw bones themselves are misaligned, may need a different treatment approach entirely, which is why clinical assessment matters before starting.
How long does it take to correct overjet with aligners?
Timeline varies by case severity, generally falling within the same range as other clear aligner treatment, though more pronounced cases may take longer than mild ones.
Will my lips look different after treatment?
Many people notice their lips sit more naturally at rest once protruding teeth have been repositioned, though the degree of change depends on the individual case.
How do I know if my overjet is dental or skeletal?
This requires a clinical assessment by a dental professional, who can evaluate whether the issue is with tooth angulation or jaw position, which determines what treatment is actually appropriate.
Find Out If You're a Good Candidate
Take our free 2-minute assessment to see if Jawology's clear aligners suit your case. Treatment from $1,945.
Take the Free Assessment
