By Dr Erfan Salloum, Specialist Orthodontist | EBO & EBAO Diplomate | British Orthodontic Society Maurice Berman Prize Winner 2026
Originally published: 26 December 2024 | Updated: 22 October 2026
Do your upper front teeth stick out? Are you concerned about a large overbite, protruding teeth, or a Class II bite?
I regularly see children, teenagers and adults in Dublin who have these concerns.
Many patients want to know if braces can move their front teeth back, if they need to bring their lower jaw forward, or if they can fix their bite without removing teeth or having jaw surgery.
The answer depends on what causes the problem.
The position of the teeth, the jaws, or both can cause protruding front teeth. Each problem may need a different treatment.
Orthodontists can treat protruding teeth and a large overjet in several ways. Options include fixed braces, clear aligners, functional appliances, invisible lingual braces, mini-screws and, in some cases, jaw surgery.
In this article, I explain the difference between an overbite and an overjet, why front teeth stick out, and the treatment options for children, teenagers and adults.
Many patients use the word overbite to describe upper front teeth that stick out. However, orthodontists use two different terms to describe these problems.
An overjet measures the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth.
When the upper front teeth stick out too far ahead of the lower teeth, we call this an increased overjet.
Patients often describe this as:
A Class II bite often causes an increased overjet. However, several different dental and jaw problems can lead to a Class II bite.
An overbite measures how much the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth vertically.
When the upper teeth cover too much of the lower teeth, we call this a deep overbite or deep bite.
Some patients have a large overjet, others have a deep overbite, and many have both.
Understanding the difference helps orthodontists choose the right treatment for each patient.
Several factors can cause the upper front teeth to stick out.
One common cause of a Class II bite is a lower jaw that sits too far back compared to the upper jaw.
In these patients, the upper front teeth may look prominent even when they have a normal angle.
Moving the upper teeth backwards may improve the bite. However, it will not fix the underlying jaw problem.
In some patients, the upper front teeth lean too far forwards. Orthodontists call this proclination.
This increases the overjet even when the upper and lower jaws have a normal relationship.
Treatment may involve creating enough space to move the upper front teeth back into a better position.
Many patients have both a lower jaw that sits too far back and upper front teeth that lean forwards.
These cases need careful planning. Orthodontists must consider the patient’s facial shape, tooth position, available space and the difference between the upper and lower jaws.
Long-term thumb sucking and certain oral habits can also cause the upper front teeth to stick out, especially in children.
Genetics and facial growth patterns also affect how the teeth and jaws develop.
The position and function of the lips and tongue may also influence the bite.
A Class II malocclusion often causes the upper front teeth to stick out, but several different factors can contribute to this problem.
Some patients have a dental problem, others have a skeletal discrepancy, and many have a combination of both.
For a more detailed explanation of the different types of Class II malocclusion, their causes and how they affect the bite, read my related article:
Why Do My Front Teeth Stick Out? Class 2 Malocclusion Explained
Understanding the cause is the first step towards choosing the most appropriate orthodontic treatment.
Children and teenagers have treatment options that adults may not benefit from in the same way.
While children are still growing, orthodontists can use functional appliances to improve how the upper and lower teeth fit together.
The timing of treatment matters, especially when we want to guide lower jaw growth.
The Twin Block is a removable appliance that helps correct Class II bites in growing children and teenagers.
It has two parts, one for the upper teeth and one for the lower teeth. Together, they hold the lower jaw in a forward position.
The Twin Block helps reduce the overjet and improve how the upper and lower teeth meet. In some patients, it can also improve facial balance.
Although the appliance can influence jaw growth, tooth movement accounts for much of the correction.
Twin Block treatment usually works best during the pubertal growth spurt, when the child still has enough growth remaining.
After this stage, patients may need fixed braces or clear aligners to straighten their teeth and complete the bite correction.
The Herbst is a fixed functional appliance that holds the lower jaw forward.
Unlike removable appliances, patients do not need to remember to wear it. This makes it a useful option for teenagers who may struggle to wear a removable appliance regularly.
Orthodontists can combine the Herbst with fixed braces to correct the Class II bite and straighten the teeth.
In growing patients, the Herbst can produce both tooth movements and some changes in jaw growth. The results depend on the patient’s age, growth stage and jaw structure.
The Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance (MARA) is another fixed appliance that helps correct Class II bites.
It encourages patients to move their lower jaw forward when they close their mouth.
Like other functional appliances, the MARA mainly moves teeth but may also influence jaw growth in children and teenagers.
Some clear aligner systems include special features that help position the lower jaw forward.
These aligners allow orthodontists to straighten the teeth while improving the bite in growing patients.
Clear aligners may suit teenagers who prefer a less visible treatment.
However, the results depend on the severity of the bite problem, the patient’s growth stage and how consistently they wear the aligners.
Orthodontists can also combine a Herbst appliance with customised lingual braces for patients who want a more discreet treatment.
Lingual braces sit behind the teeth, making them almost invisible when smiling.
The Herbst helps correct the Class II bite, while the lingual braces straighten the teeth and provide precise control over tooth movement.
This combination can work particularly well in complex cases that need careful bite correction and tooth alignment.
Yes. Orthodontists can successfully treat many adults with protruding upper teeth or a Class II bite without jaw surgery.
However, adults need a different approach because their jaws have stopped growing.
Orthodontic appliances cannot predictably make an adult’s lower jaw grow longer. Instead, orthodontists move the teeth to improve the bite and compensate for differences in jaw position.
We call this approach orthodontic camouflage.
Whether this treatment will work depends on the severity of the bite problem, tooth position, supporting jawbone and facial profile.
Several treatment options can help.
Fixed braces offer one of the most effective and flexible ways to correct protruding teeth and Class II bites.
Braces can straighten crowded teeth, correct the angle of the front teeth and improve how the upper and lower teeth meet.
Orthodontists often use elastic bands with braces to help correct the bite.
However, patients must wear their elastics regularly to achieve good results.
Elastics mainly move teeth rather than change the position or size of the jaws. They can also cause unwanted tooth movements if orthodontists do not control the forces carefully.
Clear aligners can also correct protruding front teeth in many adults.
Depending on the problem, treatment may involve:
Clear aligners offer a discreet treatment option, but patients must wear them consistently.
They also require careful planning to control tooth movement.
Patients with severe Class II bites may need other appliances, fixed braces or jaw surgery.
The Carriere Motion appliance helps correct certain Class II bites before patients start braces or clear aligners.
It works with elastic bands to move the upper teeth backwards and improve the bite.
Patients must wear the elastics regularly for the appliance to work.
The Carriere can help correct some dental Class II problems, but it cannot fix a large difference in jaw position.
Orthodontists may also use appliances such as the Herbst, Forsus or MARA in selected adult cases.
However, these appliances work differently in adults compared with growing teenagers.
In adults, fixed functional appliances mainly move teeth rather than stimulate lower jaw growth.
For example, they may move the lower front teeth forwards, move the upper teeth backwards or change the position of the back teeth.
These movements can improve the bite, but they do not make the adult lower jaw longer.
Before choosing this treatment, orthodontists must assess tooth position, gum health, supporting bone and facial appearance.
Lingual braces sit behind the teeth, making them almost completely invisible when smiling.
Customised lingual systems, such as WIN, allow orthodontists to control tooth movements with high precision.
They can straighten teeth, close spaces, correct tooth angles and improve the bite.
Orthodontists can also combine lingual braces with elastics, functional appliances or orthodontic mini-screws.
This makes lingual braces an attractive option for adults who want comprehensive orthodontic treatment without visible braces.
However, the choice between lingual braces, conventional braces and clear aligners should depend on the treatment needs, not just appearance.
Some patients have upper front teeth that lean too far forward, with little or no space to move them back.
In these cases, orthodontists may recommend removing selected premolars to create space.
We can then use this space to move the upper front teeth backwards, improve their angle and reduce the overjet.
However, not every patient with protruding teeth needs extractions.
The decision depends on several factors, including crowding, tooth position, lip support, facial shape and the amount of supporting bone.
Our goal is not to move the upper teeth as far backwards as possible. Instead, we aim to place them in a healthy position within the supporting bone while maintaining facial balance.
Moving the teeth too far back may reduce lip support and affect facial appearance.
Some studies have also explored whether extensive retraction of the upper front teeth may reduce certain airway dimensions. However, current evidence does not show that routine orthodontic extractions cause obstructive sleep apnoea.
For these reasons, orthodontists must assess each patient carefully rather than always recommending or avoiding extractions.
Orthodontic mini-screws, also called temporary anchorage devices (TADs), help orthodontists move teeth with greater control.
We can use these small screws to move the upper teeth backwards without relying as much on elastic bands or other teeth for support.
Orthodontists call this movement maxillary distalisation.
This approach may help patients who need to move their upper front teeth backwards but want to avoid premolar extractions.
In some cases, we can move the upper back teeth into available space further back in the jaw.
We may also need to remove wisdom teeth to create enough space.
However, several factors limit how far we can move the teeth. These include available bone, tooth roots, surrounding anatomy and the severity of the bite problem.
Mini-screws provide better control, but they cannot overcome the natural limits of tooth movement.
Some patients have a large difference between the position of their upper and lower jaws.
For example, the lower jaw may sit much further back than the upper jaw, even when the teeth have a normal angle.
In these cases, moving the teeth alone may not provide the best result.
Jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, can correct the underlying jaw problem.
Depending on the diagnosis, the surgeon may move the lower jaw forward, reposition the upper jaw or move both jaws.
This can improve the bite, facial balance and jaw relationship.
For selected patients with a retruded jaw and diagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea, moving both jaws forward may also improve the airway.
However, not everyone with a large overjet needs jaw surgery.
Patients with breathing or sleep concerns should also see an ENT specialist or sleep physician for a proper assessment.
Many patients ask whether correcting their protruding teeth will change their facial appearance.
The answer depends on the cause of the problem and the treatment we choose.
For example, moving upper front teeth backwards can change the position and support of the upper lip.
Functional appliances may improve facial balance in growing patients, although the amount of skeletal change varies.
Jaw surgery can create larger facial changes because it moves the jaws themselves.
Before treatment, orthodontists should assess the teeth, lips, facial profile and jaw relationship.
The aim is to improve the bite while maintaining or improving facial balance.
In many cases, yes.
Orthodontists can often correct a large overjet without extractions using braces, clear aligners, elastics, functional appliances or mini-screws.
However, avoiding extractions does not always lead to the best result.
For example, if the upper front teeth already lean too far forward and there is not enough space to move them back, non-extraction treatment may leave them in a poor position.
Similarly, pushing teeth too far outwards during dental expansion can move them beyond the limits of their supporting bone.
Orthodontists must consider tooth position, gum health, facial appearance and long-term stability before deciding whether extractions are necessary.
Treatment time depends on the severity of the problem and the type of treatment.
Mild cases may take less time, while complex Class II bites often need longer treatment.
Most comprehensive orthodontic treatments take around 24 months, although some patients finish sooner and others need more time.
Children and teenagers may need a functional appliance first, followed by braces or clear aligners.
Patient cooperation, oral hygiene, missed appointments and broken appliances can also affect treatment time.
Yes. Braces can correct many cases of protruding front teeth by straightening the teeth, improving their angle and correcting the bite. Patients with severe jaw problems may also need other appliances or jaw surgery.
Yes. Clear aligners can correct many cases of increased overjet. However, severe Class II bites may require additional appliances, fixed braces or jaw surgery.
No. Adults can have orthodontic treatment at almost any age if their teeth, gums and supporting bone are healthy enough. However, adult treatment cannot rely on natural jaw growth.
No. Many patients can correct protruding teeth without extractions. However, orthodontists may recommend removing teeth when severe crowding, excessive tooth inclination or limited space makes it necessary.
Yes. Children with prominent upper front teeth face a higher risk of dental injuries, especially during falls or sports. An early orthodontic assessment can help identify children who may benefit from treatment.
Children should usually have their first orthodontic assessment around age seven.
However, this does not mean every child needs treatment at that age.
For many Class II problems, functional appliances work best around the age of 8-12.
I recommend and prescribe orthodontic treatments to my patients as if they were my own family and I value meaningful relationships based on communication, confidence and trust.
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