Possible to Straighten Teeth Without Increasing Overjet?

Question

I have quite a bad overjet, with my lower jaw too far back as well as crooked teeth due to crowding. In cases like this, is it ever possible to straighten the teeth without changing the size of the overjet at all. Unfortunately, I don't think that I'll ever be able to afford (or be willing to spend so much money on) orthognathic surgery but would like straighter teeth without affecting my overjet.

Brad Lockhart, DDS · Answer

A class II malocclusion can be fixed WITHOUT orthognathic surgery EVEN IN ADULTS. Why don't more people know this? It is not necessary to do surgery to fix a class II malocclusion MOST OF THE TIME. A class II malocclusion can be corrected using simple appliances that are worn for a period of 6-9 months. An uncorrected class II malocclusion is not only a major aesthetic compromise but it can also compromise the health of the TMJ and a patient's airway which can both lead to a myriad of complications and potentially life-threatening diseases. Find a dentist who understands the relationship of class II malocclusion to potentially life-threatening disease and then make the choice to settle for straight teeth with a compromised occlusion.

	Good luck!

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS · Answer

It is not uncommon to have adult patients with severe skeletal problems who want straight teeth but do not want to go through the expense/time/risk of an overbite correction. We call this giving them a "Hollywood smile" .... straight teeth but an uncorrected bite. As long as everybody understands what the final result will be this is an acceptable compromise!

Possible to Straighten Teeth Without Increasing Overjet?

Answers (2)