I have an overjet - need professional advice about orthodontic work & jaw growth.

[alex.frispy]

Hi, I'm a 15 year old caucasian male with an 8mm overjet. I have spaced out, small teeth with moderately equal gaps and a big bite. (find attachment of open mouth photo)

I went to the orthodontics a few days ago, regarding a concern with my lower front 2 teeth. I asked whether, because they are slightly crooked (twisted slightly), they could just untwist/straighten them out.
They said they could do this but, to keep them straight, I would have to have a glued retainer round the back of the front bottom 4 teeth or so.
They then said this would therefore close them up (they're quite gappy) which brings them back slightly (about 2mm).
They then said, but doing this would increase my, already quite extreme, overbite/overjet to 10mm. So, if they were to do do all that, they would THEN have to bring back the top row as well so it decreases the overjet to an normal amount (2-3mm?), making the top row also close up. So really, 1 problem led to more and more work...
I said it's quite a lot of work and the consultant agreed, and said if I'm not that bothered by those two bottom teeth (the main concern in the first place) then don't bother. I sort of was reluctant and said I'd have a think about it.

Now, the overjet is really more of a problem in my eyes. I noticed my jaw, when i clenched/alligned my molars, was back quite a bit and concerned me, but didn't know enough about the ins and outs of it. Also now, looking from the side vew profile in 2 mirrors, i could see (when i clenched my teeth/alligned molars) my chin/lower jaw looks quite a bit behind from my top jaw and looks slightly tucked up into the jaw and dislike it a lot!

I'm now thinking of taking up the 18 month procedure but there's a few questions I need to ask...

~firstly, I'm reluctant to have my teeth actually taken back because my jaw already feels as though, when i bite and allign my molars, im pulling it back a bit from where I would naturally let it hang comfortably (below and little bit behind the top front incisors). So, if I were to bring the front teeth back as well, to decrease the overjet i think my jaw would feel as though it's back into my face too much. And would be even more unsatisfying and make the problem worse? I'm not sure!

~So, therefore, I was wondering if it were possible to differently allign my teeth with orthodontic work (perhaps bring the top molars forward slightly?) so when I clench/allign molars to chew my lower jaw doesn't seem so behind/back.

~ Another concern is I'm not sure whether I have a skeletal overjet or dental... I'm assuming dental...Can anyone tell me if you think, from the information I've given, I have a skeletal or dental overjet? Or if there is a prominent difference I could inspect to decipher which one I have.

~ And obviously, my biggest concern is whether my (lower) jaw will grow out/forward and get larger and make underbite (etc) problems if I do have this treatment done?
And whether perhaps my overjet will decrease with growth? (I don't know how it works) Resulting from my lower jaw growing out/forward? I'm only 15 so I don't know how the whole jaw growth thing works...


Much appreciated if you could answer/help me with this long-winded concern. :/
Many thanks!

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome Alex!

It's great to read the questions you've asked, which make it sound like you've been doing some major research ... good for you!

I recommend you see two or three (or more) ortho's and ask them many of your questions, so you can find out what is your best treatment. Orthodontics only can affect your bones if you've not gone through adolescent and the bones have fused. At 15, you'd have to be checked, as if your bones have fused, the only thing that moves during ortho treatment is your teeth, and your jaw bones stay where they are.

Looking at your photo you have quite a few gaps on both arches that need closing and this will affect your overjet, and your bite in general. It is also expected that your upper teeth are further back in your jaw bone, due to your upper teeth being large than your lowers and you having the same number of teeth in each arch.

Good luck having further consults and finding out if you're still growing, and if your are/or aren't, what your options are.