What are the risks of not treating an overbite?
Answer Overbite refers to the vertical overlap of the front teeth. Your son has an 80% overbite. This probably is not a significant risk factor for your son although it is a factor in developing an effective orthodontic treatment plan. Overjet refers to the horizontal protrusion of the upper front teeth as they relate to the lower front teeth. Your son has a 3mm overjet or protrusion. This poses something of a risk factor since individuals with protrusion have a significantly greater risk of injury or damage to the incisors compared to individuals without protrusion. The greater the amount of overjet, the greater is the risk. Delay in correction of the protrusion will prolong the period of increased risk. In some growing individuals there is some benefit or advantage to treating the malocclusion during active growth. Delaying treatment could decrease that benefit or advantage to some degree. I hope this provides some additional insight into your situation.
