Which statement describes overjet?

Which statement describes overjet?

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

Answer: (A)

Overjet refers to the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth when the jaws are closed, describing how far the top incisors project in front of the bottom incisors. The statement that the top incisors sit ahead of the bottom incisors directly captures this front‑to‑front, anterior‑posterior relationship. In contrast, the vertical overlap described by overbite (how much the upper teeth cover the lower teeth) explains why the other options don’t fit, and a description of the distance between canines doesn’t address the front teeth’s horizontal projection at all. Normal overjet is about 2–3 mm, with larger values seen in Class II malocclusions.

Overjet refers to the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth when the jaws are closed, describing how far the top incisors project in front of the bottom incisors. The statement that the top incisors sit ahead of the bottom incisors directly captures this front‑to‑front, anterior‑posterior relationship. In contrast, the vertical overlap described by overbite (how much the upper teeth cover the lower teeth) explains why the other options don’t fit, and a description of the distance between canines doesn’t address the front teeth’s horizontal projection at all. Normal overjet is about 2–3 mm, with larger values seen in Class II malocclusions.