Whether they run in your family, are the result of an accident, or the consequence of a lifestyle habit, buck teeth are certainly a prominent feature, and usually one that people are keen to change.

However, although protruding teeth can be quite distressing for some people, for others it's just seen as a quirky feature. But is it ok to leave them, or is this something that needs to be corrected? Dr. MJ Rowland-Warman, cosmetic dentist and founder of Smileworks, gives us all the angles on this condition.



What are buck teeth?

Buck teeth is a phrase used to describe when the upper front teeth protrude (stick out) more than they should.

The actual definition of what buck teeth are in dental terms is called ‘overjet’. This is the horizontal overlap of upper and lower front teeth. Some people confuse this with ‘overbite’, which is the way teeth overlap vertically but the correct orthodontic term is actually overjet, which is how much the upper teeth stick out from the lower.

There are several reasons that buck teeth occurs:

• Class 2 skeletal discrepancy

In some cases the upper jaw is further forward or prominent in relation to the lower, or the lower jaw is further back. What this results in is a marked difference between upper and lower teeth and the appearance that the upper teeth are further forward. This is known as a Class 2 skeletal discrepancy and describes the relationship of how the bones of the upper and lower jaw fit together.

• Maxillary proclination

In some people the bone that supports the upper teeth may be angled forwards and, as a consequence, the teeth within it are angled forwards too. This is known as a maxillary proclination and again is due to the bone itself rather than the position of the teeth. The way that bones form is often due to hereditary or ethnic factors and we often see these traits run in families.

• Environmental factors

In some cases of buck teeth these have been caused by environmental factors – things that come from the outside rather than those determined by genetics. A prolonged thumb-sucking habit, bottle feeding or a habit of chewing on something can cause pressure on the front teeth. Over time this can cause the teeth to move.



Do buck teeth pose a health risk?

A normal overjet is around 2-4mm and is the ideal incisor position. Anything over 4mm is considered increased and there is evidence that increased overjet means that patients are at double the risk of incisor trauma (such as from falls), which can mean the teeth end up damaged or lost prematurely.



Treatment for buck teeth

Buck teeth are most commonly fixed with orthodontics (braces) delivered by either dentists or orthodontists. This can align the teeth over time and give a great result. Sometimes braces can take as little as six months or so, but in more complex cases they can take two or more years to fully align the teeth.

Amusingly, in french, they call them 'dents a l’anglaise', which means 'english teeth'!

In some cases there is a discrepancy between the position or size of the bone of the jaws. This means that braces can only do a limited amount to improve the relationship between upper and lower front teeth and by using just braces it would result in a compromised result. This is where orthographic surgery may be considered. This is where, by means of a combination of orthodontics and surgery, the relationship of maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw) can be improved and the teeth be moved within the bone.

The result is not only that the teeth end up in the correct position but also that the bones are the correct proportion and position relative to one another. This is a more complex treatment and one that requires very careful planning between orthodontists and the maxillofacial surgical team.

Are buck teeth always treatable?

If the teeth are already very compromised, such as in examples of prior trauma to the teeth, it may not be possible to orthodontically move them without incurring significant risk. In this case it may be necessary to seek restorative options to improve the cosmetic appearance and function of the teeth rather than changing their position. The teeth may need to be replaced by bridges, dentures or implants.

Why we say 'buck teeth'

There are a few ideas about the etymology of the phrase ‘buck teeth’. In the simplest sense, the action of ‘bucking’ is to kick up or out. Combined, this results in buck teeth, those that jut out beyond the rest. It may also be derived from the word to describe the male of some animals. The male rabbit, for example, whose front teeth are very prominent, is referred to as a buck. This may be the namesake.

Last updated: 11-10-19

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