For ÖGK , jaw misalignment is generally covered only when it is medically necessary , not just because the bite looks uneven. In practice, that usually means a clearly significant functional problem — for example, a severe malocclusion, a pronounced overbite/underbite, crossbite, open bite, or a jaw position problem that affects chewing, speaking, breathing, or causes other health issues.

What that usually means

ÖGK-linked orthodontic coverage is typically based on how severe the misalignment is, not on a simple millimeter cutoff stated in public summaries. One source describing Austrian orthodontic indication groups says mild cases are not covered, while more pronounced cases are subsidized, and very severe cases are medically necessary. Another source notes that jaw surgery is more likely to be covered when a functional problem can be documented, such as a severe bite discrepancy.

Practical rule of thumb

  • Small cosmetic misalignment: usually not paid by ÖGK.
  • Moderate to severe bite/jaw problems with medical impact: may be paid or subsidized.
  • Severe jaw discrepancy needing surgery: coverage is more plausible if the case is documented as functional/medical, not cosmetic.

Best next step

An orthodontist or oral surgeon usually needs to document the diagnosis and submit it for assessment, because the decision depends on the exact case and the medical evidence. In other words, the key question is less “how many millimeters?” and more “is there a medically recognized functional disorder?”.

TL;DR: ÖGK usually pays only when the jaw misalignment is clearly severe and medically necessary, not for minor cosmetic misalignment.