← All explanationsIncreased overjet

What does the horizontal gap between front teeth mean?

Overjet is the horizontal distance between upper and lower front teeth when biting together. If increased, the upper front teeth stand further ahead of the lower teeth. Tooth position and jaw relationship may contribute. Vertical overlap, by contrast, is called overbite.

For dental trainees & teams

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A distance from front to back

Overjet is assessed horizontally from the side. It does not describe how deeply the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth from above.

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The cause is not always in the same place

Upper teeth may be inclined forwards; the position of both jaws also influences the distance. Several factors can act together.

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More than a single measurement

Assessment considers lip coverage, function, injury risk and development. Only the overall findings show whether treatment is appropriate and which approach may suit.

Watch the short film Download infographic (German)

At a glance

What is described?

The horizontal distance between front teeth during biting.

What may contribute?

Tooth inclination and the relationship between the jaws.

What else is assessed?

Lip coverage, function, injury risk and developmental stage.

Knowledge in motion

Explained in 36 seconds.

Three steps. Straight to the point.
Explanations are also shown on screen.

Short film (German): What does the horizontal gap between front teeth mean?

Open the short film directly: Landscape film (MP4, German) · Portrait film (MP4, German)

Silent film in German · English explanations in the three views above

Often confused

Overjet or overbite?

Overjet: horizontal distance from front to back. Overbite: vertical overlap from top to bottom.

Quick answers

Is overjet the same as overbite?

The terms are sometimes confused in everyday language. Clinically, horizontal overjet and vertical overbite are distinguished.

Can injury risk be higher?

More protruding front teeth, particularly with inadequate lip coverage, may be more vulnerable to injury. Individual risk is assessed.

Does it mean the upper jaw is too large?

No. Tooth inclination, lower-jaw position and the relationship of both jaws may also contribute.

At the practice

For your consultation

A question to discuss with Dr. med. dent. Niusha Barahmand Pour:

What part do tooth inclination, jaw relationships and lip coverage play in my overjet?

Symptoms, examination findings and personal wishes form the basis of individual treatment planning.

Protruding front teeth are assessed in the context of the whole bite.

Discuss front-tooth positionChoose an appointment on Doctolib

Meet Dr. med. dent. Niusha Barahmand Pour

Learning for dental trainees & teamsUnderstand clinical terms and build your knowledge

Build on the simple explanation with clinical terms, key distinctions and a knowledge question.

Sagittal: Relating to the front-to-back direction.
Overjet: The horizontal step between upper and lower front teeth.
Overbite: The vertical overlap of the lower front teeth by the upper front teeth.

Know the difference

Overjet is a tooth-position finding. On its own, it does not prove a specific skeletal jaw discrepancy.

Knowledge questionWhich measurement direction applies to overjet?

This question supports learning. It does not assess personal symptoms.

Vertical: overlap of the lower incisors.
Transverse: width between right and left molars.
Horizontal: distance between upper and lower front teeth.

Show answer and explanation

Horizontal: distance between upper and lower front teeth.

Overjet is the horizontal front-tooth step; its vertical counterpart is called overbite.

Sources for further learning

Sources and context

Editorial research: 23 October 2026. This explanation covers general principles and does not replace a personal examination. Suitable treatment is discussed following individual assessment.