Buck Teeth (Overjet)

Buck teeth are not something everyone wishes to treat. Often times people don’t know or consider the side effects this condition can cause when not faced with a major aesthetic issue or impairment for speaking/eating. They are also frequently overlooked because untreated buck teeth are most common in children.

What are buck teeth?

Buck teeth or overjet is often confused with overbite. But while an overbite implies the front teeth vertically overlapping the lower teeth, overjet implies a horizontal overlap. The reality of the condition can be as mild as two front teeth slightly slanted outward and overlapping the adjacent lateral incisors, or as severe as not having the ability to close the lips around the protruding teeth.

In essence this condition implies that the teeth slant out of the mouth horizontally or could even be growing out of the gums in said direction. This can be caused by various habits or genetic proclivities.

What causes buck teeth?

Buck teeth occur for a plethora of reasons. Sometimes a bad accident can move the placement of your teeth but it is more likely that the problem will appear from an early age. Some causes for buck teeth in children are:

• Tongue thrusting/thumb sucking: both of these habits force the teeth to grow irregularly due to constant pressure that pushes the teeth forward during the beginning of their growth.
• Crowding: When teeth grow very close together and are overcrowded it is likely that some teeth may be pushed forward causing buck teeth.
• Genetics: Most cases of buck teeth are caused by genetics that come down from the parents or grandparents. This cause of buck teeth is harder to prevent in most cases.

Keep in mind that the earlier this condition is treated the easier it will be to solve. It is recommendable to take children to their first dental check up as early as the age of 7. This is when doctors will be able to assess possible issues with the child’s bite and formulate a less invasive and customized treatment than if the problem is given a chance to evolve. You can also help avoid other dental problems in you children by having a professional look at their teeth in time to prevent or slow down any issues.

What are the problems with buck teeth?

The two most obvious problems that more severe buck teeth can cause are speech impairment and chewing difficulties. 

When speaking buck teeth can make it hard to correctly pronounce letters such as B, F,M,P, S and V. This can negatively affect someone’s confidence.

The difficulty chewing can range from not being able to break down the food properly to pain while biting down on food. This could later lead to digestive difficulties and or gum problems.

A factor that pushes people to treat their buck teeth is damaged gums and or teeth. If the condition is severe the upper front teeth and gum line might get damaged by the constant contact with the lower front teeth.

Breathing difficulties often accompany the small jaw that usually comes with buck teeth. This limits the flow of air and can cause an abnormal airway. The difficulty breathing can cause difficulty sleeping or in more sever cases sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.

Because buck teeth can be caused by overcrowding, they can also be accompanied by other problems such as pain caused by tension, other teeth growing in the wrong place and overall problems with a person’s bite pattern.

What are treatment options?

On the positive side there are many treatments available for buck teeth that can be customized to the specific needs of the patient. The following options are viable solutions for this condition:

Braces: Coming in as the most popular treatment we have traditional metal braces designed to move the teeth to their desired position. They use gradual pressure to realign the teeth with wires and brackets. This type of braces is less visible and more comfortable.

Invisalign: This is the most common treatment in adults and teenagers as it corrects the positioning of the teeth through the use of clear plastic aligners that are not as visible as braces. They are more comfortable and removable. This means you can take them off when eating.

Palate Expansion: This treatment is most commonly used when the upper jaw is small and can’t comfortably fit all adult teeth. Two palate expanders are applied to the upper molars to make more space.

Orthodontic Surgery: this treatment is used in more extreme cases and is recommended if the growth of the jaw has stopped, and the overbite is severe. During the procedure the upper and lower jaw alignment is corrected. This treats the overbite enabling the correct positioning of the teeth.

In conclusion it is best not to wait for the case to be severe and get early treatment to facilitate the use of less invasive methods. In any case your orthodontist and you can discuss the best viable solution catered to your specific needs. 

What can Dr. Anna Vishart do for you?

Well, we offer top of the line dental care and can provide any of the treatments mentioned above. Making a customized plan for the correction of your buck teeth that is best suited to fit your specific needs and the best possible time frame in mind. Be sure to contact us for an appointment to give you another reason to smile.