Overjet
Pronunciation: OH-ver-jet
The horizontal distance between the labial surface of the upper incisor and the labial surface of the lower incisor, measured parallel to the occlusal plane.
Full Definition
Overjet (also called horizontal overlap) quantifies the degree to which the upper front teeth project forward of the lower front teeth in the horizontal plane. It is measured in millimetres and is a key metric in orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic assessments. A normal overjet is approximately 2–3 mm; increased overjet is a hallmark of Class II malocclusion, while negative overjet (where lower incisors are labial to upper incisors) indicates Class III. Editors must not conflate overjet with overbite, which refers to vertical overlap. The two terms form a frequently confused pair in editorial contexts.
Usage
Usage note: One word, no hyphen. Never substitute for 'overbite.' Always state measurement in millimetres (mm) in clinical documents.
In Context
- "Treatment successfully reduced the overjet from 8 mm to 2 mm over 18 months." — Orthodontic case report
- "The editor corrected the manuscript, replacing 'overbite' with 'overjet' where horizontal projection was described." — Peer-review feedback