Overjet (buck teeth): causes, treatment and cost

Page updated October 22, 2026.

Overjet is the dental term for what most people call buck teeth: the upper front teeth stick out further in front of the lower teeth than they should. Upper teeth normally sit about 2 millimeters in front of the lower ones; more than that is an overjet (Cleveland Clinic). It won't correct itself, but braces fix most cases (Cleveland Clinic). Here is what causes it, when it matters, how it's treated at each age, and what treatment costs.

What overjet is

The AAO defines overjet as upper front teeth that protrude in front of the bottom front teeth when the back teeth are closed (AAO). Cleveland Clinic describes it as a type of malocclusion, or bad bite (Cleveland Clinic). The AAO calls the same problem protrusion, and notes that it can also happen when the lower teeth don't come far enough forward (AAO).

The key word is horizontal. Overjet measures how far the upper teeth stick out in front of the lower ones; overbite measures how far they overlap vertically (Cleveland Clinic). The two often appear together, and people with protruding front teeth may also have a deep bite (AAO).

Measurements: Cleveland Clinic, 2024.

A dentist diagnoses overjet during an exam by measuring the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth, and may take X-rays (Cleveland Clinic). For a side-by-side with other bite problems, see overbite vs underbite.

What causes buck teeth

• Genetics. The chance is higher if a parent or sibling has buck teeth (Cleveland Clinic)
• Thumb or finger sucking that continues after about age 4 (Cleveland Clinic)
• Long-term pacifier use (Cleveland Clinic)
• Tongue thrusting: pushing the tongue against the back of the upper front teeth when swallowing (Cleveland Clinic)

The AAO lists genetic factors, oral habits and tooth alignment as common causes of protrusion (AAO). Habits are the part parents can influence; see thumb sucking and teeth for when a habit starts to matter and how to help a child stop.

Problems an overjet can cause

Many people live with a mild overjet without trouble (Cleveland Clinic). A larger one can cause:

• Trouble biting or chewing, and difficulty closing the lips fully (Cleveland Clinic)
• Sore spots on the tongue or inside the cheeks from accidental biting (Cleveland Clinic)
• Jaw, face or tooth pain, and less often speech problems (Cleveland Clinic)
• A higher chance of breaking the upper front teeth in a fall or knock (AAO)

The AAO adds that if protruding teeth make it hard to close the lips comfortably, that can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and speech problems (AAO). Left untreated, Cleveland Clinic says overjet can lead to facial and jaw pain, TMJ disorder, chronic headaches and tooth erosion (Cleveland Clinic). Some people also feel self-conscious about their smile, and children may be teased (Cleveland Clinic).

Protecting protruding teeth

Because protruding upper teeth are more likely to break in an accident (AAO), sport is the main everyday risk while you wait for treatment, or during it. The AAO encourages every player to wear a mouthguard, whatever the sport, at practices as well as games, and cites an ADA study in which adults who didn't wear one had an 82% to 93% greater risk of injuries to the teeth and face (AAO). A guard made by your orthodontist fits and protects better than a store-bought boil-and-bite one (AAO). See mouthguards for braces.

How overjet is treated in children

Children have one big advantage: their jaws are still growing, so some appliances can guide that growth rather than only moving teeth. The AAO recommends a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7, and lists thumb, finger or pacifier habits that affect the teeth or jaw among the problems that may benefit from early treatment (AAO). Options Cleveland Clinic lists for overjet include (Cleveland Clinic):

Early treatment doesn't always replace braces later: the AAO says a second course of treatment is still usually recommended once all the permanent teeth are in (AAO). See phase 1 orthodontics and braces for kids and teens.

How overjet is treated in adults

Adult jaws have stopped growing, so growth appliances are no longer an option. Braces can fix most cases of overjet at any age (Cleveland Clinic), and clear braces are among the options (Cleveland Clinic). Your orthodontist may also suggest clear aligners, which only work when worn at least 22 hours a day (AAO). When the cause is the jaw bones rather than the teeth, a severe overjet of 8 to 10 mm or more may need other orthodontic treatment or jaw surgery (Cleveland Clinic). Surgery is usually combined with braces over 2 to 3 years (Cleveland Clinic); see jaw surgery cost and recovery.

Can veneers or bonding fix buck teeth?

They can change how buck teeth look, but not the bite. Cleveland Clinic says bonding, veneers and crowns can camouflage an overjet without correcting the underlying condition, and that orthodontic treatment is the only way to fix it (Cleveland Clinic). If the problem is how your teeth meet, covering them won't help with chewing, lip closure or the risk of chipping. Compare the options in how to fix crooked teeth.

How much it costs to fix an overjet

There's no published price for overjet treatment specifically; it costs whatever the treatment it needs costs. For braces and aligners, CareCredit's typical ranges before insurance are:

A complex case sits higher in the range than a mild one, because the type of appliance, the complexity and the length of treatment all affect the fee (AAO). Severe jaw-related cases that need surgery cost far more; see jaw surgery cost. Insurance with orthodontic benefits usually pays a share up to a lifetime maximum; in OrthoFi data for 2021, the average orthodontic benefit was $1,772 (Align Technology). The AAO's proposed criteria for medically necessary orthodontic care include an overjet of 9 mm or more (AAO), which can matter for insurance or Medicaid, though payers aren't required to use them. Estimate your own cost with the braces cost calculator.

Does overjet go away on its own?

No. Cleveland Clinic says overjet doesn't go away by itself (Cleveland Clinic). Stopping a thumb or pacifier habit early can keep it from getting worse, but once the teeth have moved, they need orthodontic treatment to come back. Regular dental check-ups help catch related problems, and new symptoms such as toothache, facial pain or pain when chewing are a reason to see a dentist (Cleveland Clinic). Not sure whether treatment is needed? See do I need braces.