The term “buckteeth” refers to upper front teeth that visibly protrude or stick out beyond the lower teeth. This common dental characteristic affects a significant number of people and can range in severity from a slight forward slant to a pronounced projection. While the condition is often discussed in terms of its appearance, it involves an underlying misalignment of the teeth and sometimes the jaw structure itself. Dental professionals use specific terminology to accurately describe this type of tooth alignment issue.
Understanding Overjet and Dental Terminology
The alignment concern commonly known as “buckteeth” is formally identified by orthodontists as an excessive overjet. Overjet describes the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth when the back teeth are together. A normal bite typically includes a small overjet, where the upper teeth rest approximately 1 to 3 millimeters forward of the lower teeth. Overjet is considered excessive when this horizontal measurement extends beyond 2 millimeters.
This condition is often confused with an overbite, which measures the vertical overlap, or how much the upper front teeth cover the lower front teeth. Overjet, conversely, measures the horizontal protrusion. Excessive overjet is classified as a type of malocclusion, meaning “bad bite,” and frequently falls under the category of a Class II malocclusion, which involves the upper jaw or teeth positioned significantly forward relative to the lower jaw.
Common Causes of Development
The development of a pronounced overjet results from a combination of inherited traits and acquired habits. Genetic predisposition plays a significant role, as the size and shape of the jaws are passed down through families. A skeletal discrepancy, such as an upper jaw larger than the lower jaw or an underdeveloped lower jaw, can lead to the upper teeth appearing to protrude. This mismatch is a primary factor in many cases of overjet.
Beyond inherited skeletal structures, certain prolonged childhood habits can influence tooth position and jaw development. Sucking a thumb, finger, or pacifier beyond the age of three or four can push the developing upper incisors forward. Tongue thrusting, where the tongue presses against the front teeth during swallowing, can also contribute to the forward movement of the teeth over time. Other dental factors, such as teeth crowding within the arch, can force individual front teeth to be pushed outward, exacerbating the horizontal protrusion.
Practical Impact on Oral Health and Function
An increased overjet can have several measurable consequences for a person’s oral health and daily function. One of the most common issues is a significantly increased risk of dental trauma to the exposed upper front teeth. Protruding incisors lack the protective shield of the lower lip and are therefore more vulnerable to being chipped, fractured, or knocked out during falls or contact sports. Individuals with an overjet greater than 3 millimeters are notably more susceptible to such injuries.
The misalignment can also compromise the ability to achieve proper lip closure, a condition known as lip incompetence. When the lips cannot comfortably seal over the protruding teeth, the mouth tends to remain slightly open, leading to chronic mouth breathing and dryness. This reduced flow of saliva can increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay by altering the mouth’s natural defenses. Furthermore, the lack of proper bite alignment can interfere with the mechanical process of eating, making it difficult to effectively bite into and chew certain foods. The misalignment may also affect the coordinated action of the lips, tongue, and teeth, potentially leading to speech impediments like a lisp or difficulty pronouncing “s” or “z” sounds.
Available Treatment Methods
The approach to correcting excessive overjet is highly individualized, depending on the patient’s age, the severity of the protrusion, and whether the issue is primarily dental or skeletal in nature.
Phase I Orthodontics (Children)
For children whose jaws are still growing, early intervention, often termed Phase I orthodontics, can be highly effective. This phase may involve using functional appliances, such as a Herbst appliance or specialized headgear, to encourage forward growth of the lower jaw or restrict the forward development of the upper jaw. Stopping harmful habits like thumb-sucking and tongue thrusting is also a primary goal of early treatment, sometimes aided by habit-breaking appliances.
Adult Orthodontics
For teenagers and adults whose jaw growth has concluded, treatment typically focuses on repositioning the teeth within the existing jaw structure. Comprehensive orthodontic treatment with traditional metal braces or clear aligners is the most common method to retract the upper teeth and align them with the lower arch. In cases of severe dental protrusion, the orthodontist may need to create space by extracting certain teeth before retracting the front teeth.
Surgical Correction
When the overjet is caused by a significant skeletal discrepancy—meaning a large difference in the size or position of the upper and lower jaws—orthodontics alone may not achieve full correction. In these severe adult cases, the most predictable solution involves orthognathic surgery, or jaw surgery, performed in conjunction with braces. The surgeon repositions the jaw bones, often moving the lower jaw forward, to establish a balanced and functional bite. Following surgery, orthodontics completes the process by fine-tuning the final positions of the individual teeth.