Orthodontic info
My child's front teeth stick out. When should we see an orthodontist?
Front teeth that stick out are a reason to see an orthodontist when you first notice them, since the American Association of Orthodontists recommends, in an FAQ entry dated October 2026, a first check-up when a problem is first recognized and no later than age 7.
On this page
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) calls the pattern overjet, and its glossary describes it this way: "The upper front teeth protrude in front of the bottom front teeth when back teeth are closed. Sometimes called buck teeth." Carvalho & Roth Orthodontics describes the same pattern on its page about common bite problems, as upper teeth "protruding at an angle which extends out past the lower jaw."
Before the check-up: what the teeth can signal
Protruding front teeth can point to the jaws as well as the teeth. The AAO says protrusive front teeth "may be the outward sign of a problem with the positions of the jaws, or positions of the teeth, even if your child has baby teeth." The AAO also names a practical risk: "Protrusive upper front teeth are more likely to be broken at play or in an accident." It says teeth protrusion often develops from tongue-thrusting, periodontal disease, missing or damaged teeth or genetics, and that prolonged sucking may push teeth forward, a habit with its own answer under thumb sucking, pacifiers and the bite. If you see the teeth sticking out, note any sucking habit and schedule a check-up; the AAO says parents can contact an orthodontist directly, without waiting for a referral.
During the check-up: jaws, teeth and the room ahead
A check-up looks at how the mouth is developing, not only how the teeth look. In the AAO's words, an early evaluation lets the orthodontist "assess jaw growth, permanent tooth development, eruption patterns, and the bite." Room matters too: the AAO notes that for most people, after "the permanent (12 year) molars" come in, there is even less space for the front teeth, which can lead to protruding or crooked teeth. Digital photos and X-rays are part of the initial examination the practice describes for a first consultation.
After the check-up: now, later or not at all
Being seen is not the same as starting treatment: the AAO says the early visit is there to "evaluate development and determine whether treatment is needed now, later, or not at all." By the AAO's account, the orthodontist may find that no treatment is expected to be necessary, that treatment may be beneficial later and growth should be monitored, or that a developing problem may benefit from early treatment. When early treatment is recommended, what it can involve is set out under early orthodontic treatment, and the post One Phase or Two? covers how a later phase can follow. Because the AAO says protrusive upper front teeth are more likely to be broken, keep the practice's emergency information handy; it sets out which problems count as true emergencies and what to do when one happens. Ask at the exam which course fits your child.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Are front teeth that stick out the same as a deep bite?
No. The AAO separates the two: overjet is upper front teeth that extend forward at an angle, while a deep bite is upper front teeth that vertically cover the lower front teeth. The AAO says deep bites typically do not resolve on their own, so either pattern is worth showing an orthodontist.
Is it too early to check front teeth that stick out while my child still has baby teeth?
No. The AAO says protrusive front teeth may signal a problem with the positions of the jaws or the teeth even while a child has baby teeth, and in an FAQ entry dated October 2026 it says a parent who notices a concern before age 7 can schedule an earlier visit.
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