Protruding teeth: more than a cosmetic issue
Protruding teeth — also called buck teeth or, in orthodontic terms, an increased overjet — affect both the look of a smile and how the mouth works. Patients usually come in because they dislike their profile or because their lips do not close naturally over the front teeth. Left untreated, protruding front teeth can lead to functional problems, not just aesthetic ones.
Treatment starts with a careful diagnosis: a clinical examination and, only when the information will change the treatment plan, X-rays such as a panoramic image. The goal is to understand whether the teeth alone are tipped forward or whether the jaws themselves are out of balance, and to plan treatment around the whole face and smile. At Dr Haim Aseriel's clinic in Jerusalem, the consultation can be held entirely in English.
What are protruding teeth, and what causes them?
Protruding teeth are front teeth, mainly in the upper jaw, that tilt or sit forward, giving a "teeth out" appearance and sometimes making it hard to close the lips naturally.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) defines overjet as upper front teeth that protrude in front of the bottom front teeth when the back teeth are closed. It is related to, but different from, an overbite, where the upper front teeth overlap the lower ones too much vertically. The protrusion may be limited to the teeth, or it may reflect the position of the jaws — for example a lower jaw positioned back relative to the upper jaw (a Class II bite). When it is the lower jaw that sticks out, the situation is different: see protruding jaw.
The most common causes of protruding front teeth are:
- Heredity: the shape and size of the jaws and teeth are often inherited. The upper jaw may be relatively large, or the lower jaw relatively small.
- Habits: prolonged thumb or finger sucking, pacifier or bottle use in infancy and early childhood can push the front teeth forward. Tongue thrust — the tongue pressing against the front teeth when swallowing — has the same effect over time.
- Crowding: when there is not enough room in the dental arch, teeth may be pushed forward instead of lining up. Crowding also causes crooked teeth.
- Early loss of baby teeth without a space maintainer, which lets neighboring teeth drift.
Problems caused by protruding teeth: lip closure, chewing, speech and injuries
The main problem is that the lips cannot close naturally and comfortably. This can lead to habitual mouth breathing, a dry mouth and, in some cases, gum inflammation. In children, persistent mouth breathing may also influence how the face develops.
Chewing difficulties
When the bite (occlusion) is off, chewing becomes less efficient. Some patients report tired jaw muscles, headaches or symptoms of jaw joint (TMJ) problems, and some teeth may wear unevenly because they carry more load than others.
Speech and risk of injury
Sounds made with both lips, such as "p", "b" and "m", can be harder to pronounce, and some people develop compensating speech patterns. Prominent front teeth are also more exposed in falls and accidents, especially in active children and teens. A Cochrane review found that early orthodontic treatment for children with prominent upper front teeth reduces the incidence of trauma to these teeth (Batista KB et al., 2018). If a tooth does break, see broken tooth repair.
Self-confidence
Many patients say protruding teeth affect how they feel about their smile. Children may be teased, and adults may avoid smiling or laughing in social situations. This impact on quality of life is a legitimate reason to seek treatment.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
Protruding teeth in children and adults: how does treatment differ?
The main difference is growth: in a child, jaw development can still be influenced; in an adult, only the teeth are moved.
Children: a check-up by age 7 and early treatment when needed
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. According to a Cochrane review, early treatment for children with prominent upper front teeth reduces the risk of injury to these teeth (Batista KB et al., 2018). When the protrusion comes from an imbalance between the jaws, functional appliances can use jaw movement and muscle action during growth to guide it in the right direction.
Adults: braces or clear aligners
In adults the jaws no longer grow, so treatment moves the teeth themselves, with fixed braces or clear aligners. Veneers are considered only for a very slight irregularity, because they do not move the teeth. In severe cases of jaw imbalance, orthodontics combined with jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) may be the most appropriate option.
Protruding teeth treatment: how to fix protruding teeth
The right treatment depends on age, how far the teeth stick out and what caused the problem. Before choosing a method, the dentist assesses the jaws, the shape of the teeth, the facial profile and how the lips and tongue work. The aim is not only straight teeth, but a stable, balanced bite.
- Orthodontic treatment is the core of the solution in most cases. Teeth straightening with fixed braces or clear aligners moves the teeth back in a controlled way. Depending on the case, the arch may be widened to make room, and in severe crowding, extracting selected teeth may be necessary — a decision taken only when it is needed for a good functional and aesthetic result.
- Habits: a tongue thrust or mouth-breathing habit that contributed to the problem also needs attention, for example with myofunctional exercises or dedicated appliances, to improve long-term stability.
After active treatment, wearing a retainer is essential to stop the teeth from moving back, and retention often has to continue for a long time, sometimes indefinitely, as advised by the treating dentist or orthodontist. For more on the overall process, see when to see an orthodontist.
Clear aligners for protruding front teeth
For many adults and teens, clear aligners such as Invisalign offer a discreet way to correct mild to moderate protrusion. A series of custom-made, transparent trays moves the teeth gradually toward their planned position.
Tooth movement is planned digitally before treatment starts, and the patient can see a simulation of the expected result. Because aligners come out for meals and brushing, keeping the teeth clean is easier than with fixed braces.
According to the AAO, aligners must be worn at least 22 hours a day and are usually changed every one to two weeks; the total length of treatment depends on the severity of the case. Regular check-ups make sure the teeth are tracking the plan, and adjustments are made when needed.
Can veneers fix protruding teeth?
Porcelain veneers do not move teeth, so they cannot correct genuinely protruding teeth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), veneers can improve the appearance of chipped, stained, crooked or misshapen teeth, but enamel has to be removed to place them, so the treatment is not reversible.
Only for very slight irregularities
A veneer can only mask a very slight irregularity in how the teeth look. When the teeth really need to change position, the treatment is orthodontic.
Sometimes after orthodontics
Once the teeth have been straightened, veneers may be considered to improve the shape or color of the front teeth — part of the wider range of cosmetic dentistry options.
After treatment: keeping the result
Orthodontic treatment of protruding teeth improves function as well as appearance: lips that close more easily, a more even bite and front teeth that are less exposed to injury. Modern options range from ceramic braces to lingual braces hidden behind the teeth. The final goal is straight teeth and a stable bite, even in complex cases.
The phase after treatment matters as much as the treatment itself: teeth tend to drift back toward their original position (relapse), so patients receive clear instructions on wearing their retainer and on regular follow-up visits.
For English-speaking patients, Dr Aseriel explains the diagnosis and options in English and provides a written treatment plan with an itemized quote; the clinic issues detailed receipts that you can submit to your insurer (coverage depends on your policy). The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem, open Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00.
Protruding teeth: frequently asked questions
Protruding teeth are front teeth, usually the upper ones, that tilt or sit forward in front of the lower teeth. Orthodontists measure this as overjet: the horizontal distance by which the upper front teeth stick out in front of the lower ones when the back teeth are closed. In everyday language they are often called buck teeth.
Protruding front teeth often run in families, through the inherited shape and size of the jaws and teeth. Long-term thumb sucking, pacifier or bottle use in early childhood, a tongue thrust habit, crowding and the early loss of baby teeth without space maintenance can also push the front teeth forward.
Sometimes. Mild to moderate protrusion can often be corrected with clear aligners, although according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) they are not suitable for every case. Veneers do not move teeth, so they only mask a very slight irregularity. When the protrusion is significant or comes from a jaw imbalance, fixed braces are usually needed, and in children sometimes a functional appliance, depending on the examination.
Yes. Prominent upper front teeth are more exposed to falls and knocks. A Cochrane review (Batista et al., 2018) found that providing early orthodontic treatment to children with prominent upper front teeth reduces the incidence of trauma to those teeth compared with a single course of treatment in adolescence.
No. Porcelain veneers do not move teeth, so they cannot correct true protrusion; at most they can mask a very slight irregularity. According to the American Dental Association, placing veneers requires removing some enamel, so the treatment is not reversible. When teeth genuinely stick out, the treatment is orthodontic.
Sources
- Batista KB et al., Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018 – View source
- American Association of Orthodontists, Glossary of Orthodontic Terms (overjet, overbite, Class II, functional appliance) – View source
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy – Veneers – View source
- American Association of Orthodontists, Clear Aligners – View source
- American Association of Orthodontists, Retainers – View source
- American Association of Orthodontists, When Should a Child First See an Orthodontist? – View source
