Overjet and Buck Teeth Treatment in Seoul
Quick answer
Buck teeth are upper front teeth that sit too far ahead of the lower teeth, measured clinically as increased overjet. It can come from tipped teeth, a forward upper jaw or a lower jaw that is set back. At Isu Yonsei Baro Orthodontics, Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee uses CBCT and 3D face scans to find the cause before recommending braces, aligners, growth treatment or surgery.
What overjet and buck teeth are
Overjet is the horizontal distance between the front surface of the lower incisors and the edge of the upper incisors. A small overjet of a couple of millimeters is normal. When it is much larger, people describe the upper teeth as buck teeth or as sticking out. Overjet is often confused with overbite, which is the vertical overlap; both are measured separately.
Common causes
- Upper incisors that are flared forward, sometimes with spacing
- A lower jaw that is small or positioned back (skeletal Class II)
- An upper jaw that is ahead of the lower jaw
- Thumb or finger sucking past early childhood, or a lower lip that rests behind the upper teeth
- Inherited jaw and tooth size patterns
Why it matters
Studies suggest children with a large overjet have a higher chance of injuring their front teeth in falls or contact sports. Prominent teeth can also make it hard to close the lips comfortably at rest, and the lower lip may get trapped behind the upper teeth, which can push them further forward. For many adults the main concern is the appearance of the smile and profile.
How it is diagnosed
The exam separates a dental problem from a skeletal one, because treatment differs. A RAY Quantum 5D CT (CBCT) scan shows the position of the jaws and the roots of the incisors, and how much bone surrounds them. The RAY Face 3D facial scanner records lip position and chin projection so changes in profile can be discussed. Intraoral digital scans replace impression trays. For young patients, a growth-plate and skeletal maturity analysis indicates whether a growth spurt is still ahead.
Treatment options
- Growing children and teens: early orthodontics or teen orthodontics may use functional appliances or elastics to encourage favorable jaw growth.
- Dental overjet in adults: braces or Invisalign can retract the front teeth, using space from crowding resolution, molar distalization with temporary anchorage devices or, in some cases, premolar extractions.
- Severe skeletal Class II: orthodontics combined with jaw surgery may be discussed.
Dr. Lee has published research on stability after surgery in Class II cases and on using temporary anchorage devices for non-extraction molar distalization, both relevant when weighing these options.
Typical timeline
Comprehensive treatment often takes roughly 12–30 months; growth-phase treatment in children may be split into two phases. Surgical cases follow a longer combined plan. Individual results and side effects vary; treatment is decided after examination.
What to expect at Isu Yonsei Baro
Your first visit takes about 60 minutes, with digital scans, X-rays or CT and photos, followed by a discussion in English and a written estimate. In Dr. Lee's practice, the goal for overjet is judged by lip comfort and profile balance, not only by a millimeter target on the teeth. She treats each patient personally through retention.
At a glance
- Clinical term: increased overjet, often part of a Class II malocclusion
- Protruding front teeth may be more vulnerable to chipping in falls or sports
- Children: growth-stage treatment can help in suitable cases
- Typical comprehensive treatment: roughly 12–30 months (not a promise)
- Explained in English with a written estimate after the exam
Your orthodontist
Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee, DDS, PhD
- MOHW-certified orthodontic specialist
- PhD in Orthodontics, Yonsei University; Severance Hospital residency
- Member, Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists
- 2026 AJO-DO peer reviewer
- Consults in fluent English and treats you herself, start to finish
Isu Station Exit 2 · 1-minute walk
Mon & Thu until 9 PM · Sat 9 AM–2 PM
+82 2-592-2080
Frequently asked questions
Can buck teeth be fixed without surgery?
Most cases where the teeth themselves are tipped forward can be corrected with braces or aligners alone. In growing children, appliances may help guide jaw growth. Surgery is usually considered only for adults with a large skeletal difference between the jaws. CBCT and facial scans help show which category you fall into.
What age should a child with protruding front teeth be seen?
An orthodontic check around age 7 is commonly recommended. For a large overjet, earlier treatment may reduce the risk of trauma to the front teeth, while correction of the jaw relationship is often timed with the pubertal growth spurt. A skeletal maturity analysis helps decide when to start.
Will fixing overjet change my face?
Pulling protruding front teeth back can reduce lip prominence and help the lips close more easily. How much the profile changes depends on lip thickness, nose and chin. A 3D face scan helps preview likely changes, but individual results vary and are discussed honestly at the consultation.
Do I need extractions to correct buck teeth?
Not always. Space to pull the front teeth back can sometimes come from resolving crowding, moving molars back with temporary anchorage devices or minor enamel reshaping. When protrusion is large and lips are full, premolar extractions may give a more balanced result. The decision follows your exam.
Related reading
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Individual results and side effects vary; treatment is decided after an in-person examination. See our editorial and medical review policy .
Talk to Dr. Lee in English
Send your concern and preferred dates. You'll get an examination, your options, a timeline and a written estimate before you decide anything.