Buck Teeth: Causes, Problems and Treatment for Proclined Front Teeth

A proclined tooth leans forward from its root. The front teeth should sit at a gentle angle, and when they tilt too far forward the smile looks prominent. It is related to, but not the same as, an increased overjet, where the upper teeth are measured as sitting far in front of the lower; see our guide on overjet teeth.

Thumb or finger sucking, prolonged dummy use and a tongue that pushes against the front teeth all tip them forward over time. Crowding can also push front teeth out, and some people are born with jaw shapes that make forward tilt more likely. A dentist can say which applies.

The problems are practical as well as cosmetic: lips that do not close easily, a dry mouth from breathing through the mouth, and a higher risk of chipping or knocking the teeth. Where proclined teeth are part of general crowding, our guide to crooked teeth explains the wider picture.

Braces or aligners tilt the teeth back towards the jaw. Sometimes room is created first, which can mean removing a tooth on each side, or gently widening the arch. Habits like thumb sucking should stop, or the teeth will move forward again. The plan is described on the braces and orthodontics page.

Veneers cover the surface of a tooth and cannot move its root. To make a forward-tilted tooth look straighter they would have to be cut down heavily, which removes healthy enamel and still leaves the position unchanged. Our guide on veneers vs braces compares the two.