What buck teeth actually are
Buck teeth is the name most people reach for when the upper front teeth stick out further than they should. There is nothing wrong with the term, and there is certainly nothing wrong with having them, so we use the word as warmly as our patients do. Clinically it is called an increased overjet, which simply measures how far the top front teeth sit ahead of the bottom ones. It is one of the most common reasons families come to see an orthodontist, for children and grown-ups alike.
The cause usually sits in the jaws rather than the teeth themselves. Often the upper jaw is set a little forward, or the lower jaw sits a little back, so the front teeth follow where the bone puts them. Genetics play the biggest part, which is why prominent front teeth tend to run in families. A long-standing thumb, finger or soother habit can add to it by nudging the upper teeth forward as a child grows. Working out which of these is driving yours is the first thing Dr. Catherine McLeod does, because it shapes the whole plan.
Why prominent front teeth are worth checking early
Here is the part that matters most for children. Front teeth that stick out are simply more exposed, so they are noticeably more likely to be chipped or knocked in an ordinary tumble in the playground or a knock during sport. The further forward they sit, the less the lip can shield them. That is the main reason orthodontists like to assess prominent front teeth early rather than wait, and it is worth having a look well before the teenage years.
While you are deciding what to do, a well-fitted mouthguard is a sensible safeguard for any child who plays sport, and you can read about custom-made ones on our mouthguards page. A first orthodontic check around age seven lets Dr. Catherine McLeod see how the jaws are growing and judge whether guiding that growth now would help, or whether it is better to simply keep an eye on things for a while. Our early treatment page explains how that well-timed, growth-based care works.
How buck teeth are treated, and what to expect
In a growing child, the front teeth can often be brought back by gently guiding how the jaws grow together, a kind of early, growth-based treatment that works best while there is still growth to work with. It will sometimes be one shorter phase now, with a little braces or aligner work later once all the adult teeth are through, and Dr. Catherine McLeod is honest with you about that from the start. Treating at the right age can also reduce how much needs doing later on.
In teens and adults, whose jaws have finished growing, the teeth are moved into a better position with braces or clear aligners, sometimes with small elastics to help ease the front teeth back. Many people come to us feeling self-conscious, or remembering teasing from years ago, and finishing treatment is often a genuine lift in confidence as much as a change to the bite. Your first visit is a free consultation on Spring Garden Road in Halifax, with a comfortable iTero scan, a written plan and an exact quote. There is no waitlist, so a consultation is usually only a week away, and interest-free monthly plans are there if you would like to spread the cost.