Increased Overjet Trauma Risk — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyOrthodontic PrinciplesIncreased Overjet Trauma RiskMFDS Part 1

A 9-year-old child has erupted permanent maxillary incisors and an overjet of 7 mm. Which adverse outcome is most strongly associated with this finding?

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Correct answer: B — Traumatic injury to the maxillary incisors

An overjet of 7 mm places the prominent maxillary incisors at increased risk of traumatic dental injury, particularly during falls, play or sport. Systematic-review evidence identifies overjet greater than 5 mm in the mixed and early permanent dentitions as a significant trauma risk, and prospective evidence shows increased risk at 6 mm or more. Increased overjet does not independently cause caries of the mandibular incisors, external root resorption, tooth ankylosis or delayed maxillary canine eruption. Early overjet reduction can reduce the incidence of new incisal trauma in selected children, but treatment timing should be based on the complete orthodontic assessment rather than overjet alone.

Reference: Arraj GP, Rossi-Fedele G, Doğramacı EJ. The association of overjet size and traumatic dental injuries—A systematic review and meta-analysis. Dental Traumatology. 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31062510/