Overjet measures how far forward the upper incisors sit relative to the lower ones with the back teeth together. Two to four millimetres is typical. When the upper incisors sit well ahead of the lowers, whether because they flare forwards, because the upper jaw is ahead of the lower, or because the lower jaw is set back, the teeth are said to be proud, prominent or, in everyday language, sticking out. It is one of the most frequent reasons adults and teenagers seek orthodontic treatment, and the motivation is usually appearance. There are practical reasons too. Prominent incisors are more likely to be chipped or knocked out in a fall or a sporting collision, the lips may not close comfortably over them, and the lower lip can become trapped behind them, which pushes them further forward. In some people the lower incisors bite into the palate behind the uppers. How far the teeth can be brought back depends on whether the problem is the teeth, the jaws or both, and our Wimpole Street assessment establishes that before any plan is offered.
Upper front teeth clearly ahead of the lower teeth in profile
Visible when you look at the side of your face with the teeth together.
Lips that do not meet without effort
The upper lip rests on the teeth rather than closing against the lower lip.
The lower lip tucked behind the upper teeth
A lip trap that adds a forward push on every swallow and at rest.
Chipped or fractured incisor edges
Protruding teeth take the first impact in any fall or knock.
Gaps opening between the upper front teeth
As the incisors flare, spaces appear between them.
A gummy or strained smile
The lip lifts higher to clear teeth that are further forward.
The most common skeletal reason. The lower jaw is smaller or positioned further back than the upper, so even well-aligned upper teeth appear prominent. In growing patients this can be influenced with functional appliances; in adults it is camouflaged with tooth movement or corrected surgically.
The teeth themselves tip forwards from the bone, often because of thumb sucking, a lip trap or a forward tongue posture during childhood. This dental type responds well to orthodontics alone.
Where there is too little room in the arch, front teeth can be squeezed forwards rather than overlapping. Creating space lets them settle back.
Digit sucking, dummy use into school age and a tongue thrust all apply a steady forward force on the upper front teeth during the years the jaws are shaping, and their effects persist into the adult dentition.
When periodontitis has reduced the bone around the front teeth, the pressure of the lips and tongue can drift them forward and open gaps, creating a new overjet in someone who never had one. This must be stabilised before any tooth movement.
These are holding measures, not a substitute for an examination. Use any pain relief exactly as directed on the pack and check with a pharmacist if you take other medicines.
We measure the overjet, take a digital scan, photographs and a side X-ray of the skull, and work out how much is dental and how much is skeletal, since that determines which methods can realistically bring the teeth back.
About this treatmentFor flared incisors and mild to moderate overjets, aligners retract the front teeth into available space, often with elastics to the lower arch. Discreet and well suited to adults.
About this treatmentLarger overjets, or those needing extractions or anchorage screws to create the room to retract, are more predictably handled with brackets and wires.
About this treatmentWhere gum disease has drifted the teeth forward, pockets are treated and the disease controlled before orthodontics, otherwise moving the teeth risks accelerating bone loss.
About this treatmentEdges damaged by knocks are rebuilt with composite bonding, ideally once the teeth are in a less exposed position so the repairs last.
About this treatmentA bonded retainer behind the upper incisors plus a removable retainer at night, because the lips and tongue continue to push forward after treatment and retracted teeth will otherwise drift.
About this treatmentAn orthodontic consultation at Wimpole Street with scan, photographs and X-rays is expected to be £95. Clear aligner treatment for an overjet is indicative from £2,950; cases requiring elastics, extractions or a longer treatment time are quoted after planning. Retainers are included in aligner plans.
Composite bonding to repair chipped edges is from £395 per tooth. Where periodontal treatment is needed before tooth movement, a course is from £850. Cases where the jaw relationship is the main issue may need combined orthodontics and surgery; we refer these and quote the orthodontic component once the surgical plan is agreed.
Figures are indicative prices for Wimpole Street and are confirmed in a written plan once a dentist has examined you. Fees match our South Kensington and St Paul's clinics.
Leave your details and we will be in touch when the Marylebone diary opens. If the problem cannot wait, the same clinicians are already seeing patients in South Kensington and at St Paul's.
Related conditions
Opening 1 October 2026
Wimpole Street is not yet seeing patients. Until then, please book or call our South Kensington clinic on 020 7183 2362 or our St Paul's clinic on 020 7183 3709. Questions about the new clinic: wimpolestreet@md.co.uk.
The same clinical team already works from two other Medical & Dental clinics. Book at either one now and, if you prefer, move your ongoing care to Wimpole Street once the doors open.
