What is overjet?

What is overjet?

• A. Horizontal distance of top incisors ahead of bottom
• B. Vertical overlap of incisors
• C. Distance between canines
• D. Horizontal overlap of molars

Answer: (A)

Overjet refers to the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth when the jaws are in centric occlusion. It tells you how far the top incisors project ahead of the bottom incisors. When the upper incisors sit forward relative to the lowers, that’s a positive overjet; if the lower incisors sit ahead, that’s a reverse overjet. This is measured in millimeters and is distinct from overbite, which is the vertical overlap of the incisors. The correct idea is that overjet describes the front-to-back (horizontal) relationship of the maxillary and mandibular incisors. The other options are about vertical overlap (overbite) or involve other teeth (canines, molars) and do not define overjet.

Overjet refers to the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth when the jaws are in centric occlusion. It tells you how far the top incisors project ahead of the bottom incisors. When the upper incisors sit forward relative to the lowers, that’s a positive overjet; if the lower incisors sit ahead, that’s a reverse overjet. This is measured in millimeters and is distinct from overbite, which is the vertical overlap of the incisors.

The correct idea is that overjet describes the front-to-back (horizontal) relationship of the maxillary and mandibular incisors. The other options are about vertical overlap (overbite) or involve other teeth (canines, molars) and do not define overjet.