Overjet (Buck Teeth)

What Is Overjet?

Have you ever looked at your child's smile and noticed that their front teeth seem to stick out?

You're not alone. This is one of the most common reasons parents bring their child in for an orthodontic evaluation.

Overjet is the orthodontic term for upper front teeth that sit too far in front of the lower teeth. Many parents call this "buck teeth," "protruding front teeth," or simply "teeth that stick out."

A small amount of overjet is completely normal. In fact, the upper front teeth should sit slightly in front of the lower front teeth.

When that distance becomes too large, it can increase the risk of dental injuries and may affect the appearance and function of the smile.

One point that often causes confusion is the difference between overjet and overbite.

• Overjet describes how far forward the upper teeth are.

• Overbite describes how much the upper teeth cover the lower teeth vertically.

Although many people use the terms interchangeably, they are actually two different orthodontic conditions.

Why Does Overjet Happen?

Overjet can happen for several reasons.

Sometimes the upper teeth are positioned too far forward. Other times the lower jaw sits farther back than expected. In many cases, it's a combination of both.

Common causes include:

• Genetics

• A smaller lower jaw

• A larger upper jaw

• Differences in jaw growth

• Thumb sucking

• Prolonged pacifier use

• Tongue habits

• Certain breathing patterns

Family history often plays a major role. If parents or grandparents had prominent front teeth or needed orthodontic treatment for a large overjet, their children may be more likely to develop a similar bite.

The good news is that understanding why the overjet exists helps us determine the best treatment and, just as importantly, the best time for treatment.

How Does Overjet Change Over Time?

Overjet in Baby Teeth

A mild overjet is often normal in young children.

At this stage, we're usually paying attention to habits such as thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use that may increase the amount of overjet as a child grows.

Most young children simply need routine monitoring.

Overjet During the Transition to Adult Teeth (Mixed Dentition)

This is when many parents first begin to notice that the front teeth seem to stick out.

As adult teeth start coming in, it becomes easier to evaluate how the upper and lower jaws are developing.

This is also the stage when children become more active in sports and playground activities, making protection of the front teeth increasingly important.

Overjet in Permanent Teeth (Adolescence)

Once all of the permanent teeth have erupted, significant overjet may contribute to:

• Increased risk of broken front teeth

• Difficulty closing the lips comfortably

• Bite problems

• Smile concerns

• Increased wear on certain teeth

Overjet in Adults

Adults with excessive overjet often tell us they have always been self-conscious about their smile.

Some adults are primarily concerned about appearance, while others are bothered by bite problems or difficulty keeping their lips comfortably together.

Fortunately, excellent treatment options are available for adults as well.

Will My Child Outgrow Overjet?

Sometimes, but not usually.

Mild overjet may improve as children grow and their lower jaw develops.

However, larger overjets rarely disappear completely on their own.

One of the most important parts of an orthodontic evaluation is determining whether your child's bite is likely to improve naturally or whether treatment may be beneficial.

This is why we often recommend evaluating children early, even if treatment isn't needed right away.

Does Overjet Need to Be Fixed?

Not always.

Some children have mild overjet that causes no significant concerns.

However, larger overjets often benefit from treatment because they can increase the risk of:

• Chipped front teeth

• Broken front teeth

• Sports-related dental injuries

• Difficulty closing the lips comfortably

• Bite problems

• Smile concerns

One of the biggest reasons orthodontists pay attention to overjet is the risk of trauma.

Children with prominent front teeth are simply more likely to injure them during everyday childhood activities.

For many families, reducing that risk is an important benefit of treatment.

Why Might Orthodontic Treatment Be Recommended?

Orthodontic treatment is often recommended for one or more of three reasons.

Functional and Oral Health Reasons

Sometimes overjet affects more than just appearance.

Children with significant overjet may be at increased risk for:

• Chipped front teeth

• Broken front teeth

• Dental injuries during sports or play

• Difficulty closing their lips comfortably

• Bite problems

• Excessive wear on certain teeth

In fact, one of the strongest reasons orthodontists recommend treatment for significant overjet is to help reduce the risk of trauma to the front teeth.

When these concerns are present, treatment may improve both oral health and long-term function.

Social Reasons

Children and teenagers do not experience their smile in a vacuum.

Unfortunately, prominent front teeth are one of the most commonly noticed dental differences among children. Terms like "buck teeth" are often used by classmates and peers, sometimes leading to teasing or unwanted attention.

While every child responds differently, these social experiences can have a meaningful impact on confidence and daily life.

Psychological Reasons

Perhaps most importantly, orthodontic treatment can affect how patients see themselves.

Parents sometimes tell us:

• "My child won't smile in pictures."

• "They cover their mouth when they laugh."

• "They're embarrassed by their front teeth."

• "They're being teased at school."

• "They don't like how their profile looks."

These concerns are real and deserve to be taken seriously.

At Smile Squad, we believe orthodontic treatment is about more than creating a healthy bite. It's also about helping children feel comfortable, confident, and proud of their smile.

There are times when overjet may not be causing immediate damage to the teeth, but treatment is still appropriate because it is significantly affecting a child's confidence, self-esteem, or social well-being.

When making treatment recommendations, we consider the whole child, not just the bite.

How Is Overjet Fixed?

Treatment depends on the cause of the overjet, the patient's age, and how much growth remains.

Observation

Not every child needs treatment immediately.

Sometimes the best approach is simply monitoring growth and development until the timing is more favorable.

Habit Correction

If thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use is contributing to the overjet, stopping the habit may help prevent the problem from becoming worse.

Headgear

Headgear may not be as common as it once was, but for certain growing patients it remains one of the most effective tools we have.

Unlike many orthodontic appliances that primarily move teeth, headgear can help guide how the upper jaw develops while a child is growing.

One of the reasons Dr. Martinez continues to use headgear in selected patients is that the changes produced are well supported by scientific research and tend to remain stable over time.

For the right patient at the right age, headgear can be an excellent treatment option.

Functional Appliances

You may have heard that certain orthodontic appliances can "grow the lower jaw."

This is one of the most debated topics in orthodontics.

Some appliances can help improve the bite while a child is growing, but they do not turn a small jaw into a large jaw. The amount of improvement depends heavily on your child's natural growth potential.

Some children respond extremely well to these appliances. Others show more modest improvement.

At Smile Squad, we believe it's important to have honest conversations with families about what treatment can and cannot accomplish. While growth modification can be very helpful for the right patient, orthodontists cannot completely override a child's genetics.

Dr. Martinez's treatment philosophy is consistent with the American Board of Orthodontics and the majority of orthodontists in the United States: treatment should be guided by scientific evidence and realistic expectations.

Braces

Braces can move teeth into healthier positions and improve the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.

For many patients, braces are an important part of achieving a healthy, stable bite.

Clear Aligners

Many teens and adults can successfully correct overjet using clear aligners.

These removable trays gradually move the teeth while allowing patients to eat, brush, and floss normally.

Elastics and Bite-Correcting Springs

If much of a patient's growth has already occurred, orthodontists often rely on tooth movement rather than growth modification.

This may involve elastics or specialized bite-correcting springs to improve the relationship between the upper and lower teeth.

Jaw Surgery

For adults with significant jaw differences who would like a more prominent jawline or improved facial balance, orthodontic treatment may be combined with jaw surgery.

Jaw surgery can improve both the bite and facial profile in ways that orthodontic tooth movement alone cannot achieve.

Fortunately, most patients with overjet do not require surgery.

Signs Parents Should Watch For

You may want to schedule an orthodontic evaluation if you notice:

• Front teeth that stick out

• Buck teeth

• Difficulty closing the lips comfortably

• Frequent injuries to front teeth

• Thumb sucking habits

• Excessive spacing between front teeth

• A lower jaw that appears farther back

• Concerns about facial balance

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Early diagnosis doesn't necessarily mean early treatment.

In many cases, the greatest benefit of an early orthodontic evaluation is understanding how your child's jaws are growing and developing.

Some children benefit from treatment during growth. Others simply need monitoring until a more appropriate time.

By identifying potential concerns early, we can develop a plan and recommend treatment when it is most likely to provide the greatest benefit.

The goal is not to treat every child early. The goal is to provide the right treatment at the right time.

Why Families Trust Smile Squad

Treating overjet is about much more than straightening teeth.

It requires understanding facial growth, jaw development, treatment timing, and long-term stability.

Dr. Martinez has spent more than a decade treating thousands of orthodontic patients and helping families navigate important decisions about growth and treatment timing. His approach combines clinical experience, scientific evidence, and individualized care.

In addition to private practice, Dr. Martinez serves as faculty at UNLV, where he teaches orthodontic biomechanics, ABO literature review, esthetics in orthodontics, and Phase I diagnosis and treatment planning. He also developed the Phase I orthodontic curriculum used within the UNLV orthodontic residency program.

At Smile Squad, our orthodontic and pediatric dental specialists work together to monitor growth, identify concerns early, and create personalized treatment plans designed around each patient's needs.

Our goal is simple: provide the right treatment at the right time to help every patient achieve a healthy, confident smile.

Frequently Asked Questions About Overjet

• Are buck teeth the same as overjet?

• Yes. "Buck teeth" is a common term parents use when the upper front teeth stick out significantly. Orthodontists refer to this condition as excessive overjet.

• Will my child outgrow buck teeth?

• Mild overjet may improve as your child grows, but significant overjet often persists without treatment.

• What age should my child be evaluated for overjet?

• Most children should have an orthodontic evaluation around age 7 so growth and development can be monitored.

• Can orthodontists make the lower jaw grow?

• This is one of the most debated questions in orthodontics. Some treatments can help improve the bite during growth, but orthodontists cannot completely change a child's genetic growth pattern. Treatment results depend heavily on the individual's natural growth potential.

• Why are children with overjet more likely to break their front teeth?

• Because the front teeth stick out farther, they are more exposed during falls, sports, and other everyday childhood activities.

• Can clear aligners fix overjet?

• Many mild and moderate cases of overjet can be treated successfully with clear aligners.

• Will my child need headgear?

• Most children do not need headgear, but for certain growing patients it remains one of the most effective ways to improve jaw relationships and reduce excessive overjet.

• Will my child need surgery?

• Most children with overjet do not require surgery. Surgery is typically reserved for adults with significant jaw differences who want the most ideal correction of their bite and facial profile.

Concerned About Buck Teeth or Front Teeth That Stick Out?

If you've noticed your child's front teeth sticking out or you're wondering whether treatment might help, an orthodontic evaluation can provide answers and peace of mind.

Dr. Martinez and the Smile Squad team have extensive experience helping children, teens, and adults with overjet. Together, we'll evaluate growth, bite development, and treatment timing to determine the best path forward for your child's smile.