--- title: "Overjet Treatment Options UK | Protruding Front Teeth (2026)" url: https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/overjet-treatment-options description: "Overjet, where upper front teeth sit too far forward, is treated with braces or aligners. Compare UK options by age, growth timing, bite and retainers." updated: 2026-10-15T00:00:00Z publisher: Virtual Consultant Online --- Overjet Bite Front Teeth # Overjet Treatment Options Overjet describes upper front teeth sitting too far forward, and it is usually treated with braces or clear aligners. Treatment planning depends on age, growth timing, bite, jaw relationship and tooth position. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Compare Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) ## Overjet vs overbite: understanding the difference Overjet is a horizontal measurement — the distance the upper front teeth project forward beyond the lower front teeth when measured from the front of the lower incisors to the back of the upper incisors. A normal overjet is 2–4mm. Increased overjet (commonly called 'buck teeth' colloquially) means the upper front teeth protrude significantly. Overbite is a vertical measurement — the vertical overlap of the front teeth. These are separate measurements but both affect treatment planning and both can be increased simultaneously. ## Overjet and bite planning Overjet can result from tooth position (upper front teeth tipped too far forward, lower front teeth tipped too far back), jaw relationship (lower jaw positioned too far back relative to the upper jaw — Class II skeletal pattern), habits (prolonged thumb sucking can push the upper front teeth forward and tip the lower front teeth back), or a combination of these factors. The plan differs significantly: dental overjet can often be corrected with orthodontic tooth movement alone; skeletal overjet may need functional appliances in growing teenagers or jaw surgery in adults. ## What are the treatment options for overjet? Fixed braces with Class II elastics (worn between upper and lower teeth to apply corrective force) are the standard approach for dental overjet correction in teenagers and adults. Upper premolar extractions may create space for the upper front teeth to retract into. Functional appliances (Twin Block, Herbst) modify the jaw relationship during growth in teenagers, reducing skeletal overjet before or alongside fixed brace treatment. Clear aligners with Class II elastics can address moderate overjet in suitable adult cases. Orthognathic (jaw) surgery is the appropriate option for significant skeletal overjet in adults where the jaw relationship cannot be camouflaged orthodontically. ## Overjet treatment timing for children and teenagers The ideal timing for overjet treatment in teenagers depends on jaw growth stage. Functional appliances work best during the pubertal growth spurt (typically 11–13 years in girls, 12–14 in boys). Starting functional appliance treatment too early or too late reduces effectiveness. Fixed brace treatment for the remaining dental correction usually follows. Early assessment by an orthodontist around age 9–10 is worthwhile for children with significant overjet — it identifies whether growth-modification is likely to help and sets the timing for intervention. ## Trauma risk with increased overjet Increased overjet is associated with higher risk of dental trauma — upper front teeth that protrude are more exposed to impacts during falls, sport, or accidents. Studies show that children with an overjet of over 6mm have approximately double the risk of dental trauma to the upper incisors compared to those with normal overjet. This is one clinical justification for early treatment in children with significant overjet, alongside appearance and bite function. ## Retention after overjet treatment Retainers are essential after overjet correction. Fixed wires behind the upper and lower front teeth protect the corrected position long-term. For cases that required premolar extractions, the extraction spaces must be kept closed by the retainer — if the retainer fails, the front teeth can tip back forward into the closed spaces. Patients who had Class II elastics as part of their treatment should understand that the bite correction component relies on retainers just as much as the alignment component. ## Useful related pages [Problems Hub](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Teeth Sticking Out](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/teeth-sticking-out) [Braces For Overbite](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/braces-for-overbite) [Overbite Treatment Cost](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/overbite-treatment-cost) [Braces for Teenagers](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces-for-teenagers) [Teeth Straightening Options](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/teeth-straightening-options) This guide is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for advice from a registered dentist or orthodontist. ### Compare next steps [Orthodontist Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [Clear Aligners Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners-near-me) [Invisalign Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/invisalign-provider-near-me) [Browse Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) ### Ready for a clearer starting point? Upload guided photos and receive an indication of likely treatment options and pricing before booking appointments. [Get an Online Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) ### Frequently Asked Questions Is overjet the same as overbite? No — they measure different things and are frequently confused. Overjet is horizontal: how far the upper front teeth stick out in front of the lower ones, measured in millimetres from the edge of the upper incisor forward of the lower. Overbite is vertical: how much the upper front teeth overlap the lower ones when the back teeth are together. What people colloquially call "buck teeth" is an increased overjet, not an overbite. A patient can have one, the other, or both at once, and each is assessed and corrected separately as part of the treatment plan. Can clear aligners fix overjet? Clear aligners with Class II elastics can address moderate dental overjet in adults effectively. Significant skeletal overjet in adults often needs fixed braces with extraction-based retraction or orthognathic surgery for stable correction. For growing teenagers, functional appliances that modify jaw growth are often more appropriate before or alongside aligner treatment. Is overjet treated differently in children? Yes. In growing children and early teenagers, functional appliances can modify jaw growth to reduce skeletal overjet — something orthodontics cannot do in adults once growth is complete. Timing the start of functional appliance treatment around the pubertal growth spurt maximises its effectiveness. Early assessment around age 9–10 identifies whether growth-modification is likely to help. Does NHS cover overjet treatment? Significant overjet — particularly above 6mm with lip incompetence — commonly qualifies for NHS orthodontic treatment in under-18s at IOTN Grade 4 or 5. Severe skeletal cases may be referred for hospital-based combined orthodontic-surgical assessment on the NHS. Waiting lists for NHS standard orthodontics in England vary widely by region – around six months in lower-demand areas, but four years or more in many. Is overjet treatment only cosmetic? Not only cosmetic — increased overjet is associated with higher dental trauma risk (front teeth more exposed to impacts), functional bite concerns, and in severe cases speech and lip posture effects. These clinical factors support treatment in significant cases alongside aesthetic improvement. Can overjet correction affect my facial profile? Reducing a large overjet — whether by moving the upper teeth back, the lower teeth forward, or both — can subtly change the profile appearance. For patients with a very large overjet where the upper lip is pushed forward or the lower jaw appears receded, successful overjet reduction often improves both facial balance and the profile. These changes are most noticeable in skeletal overjet cases, particularly those also involving the lower jaw. Explore your options Quick links Not sure where to start? Use these quick links to explore orthodontic treatments, typical costs, and helpful guides that explain what different options involve. Whether you're researching braces or clear aligners, comparing pricing, or just getting a feel for what comes next, you can browse at your own pace and come back when you're ready to request a quote. 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Upload guided photos and get a tailored recommendation for your teeth and bite. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Find an Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) Citation details Title Overjet Treatment Options UK | Protruding Front Teeth (2026) Publisher Virtual Consultant Online Published 2024-06-01 Updated 2026-10-15 URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/problems/overjet-treatment-options](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/problems/overjet-treatment-options)