A Complete Guide to Fixing Buck Teeth with Zenyum Invisible Braces in Singapore (2026)
November 27, 2025
Protruding teeth (also known as buck teeth) is one of the six teeth conditions that Zenyum Invisible Braces can help fix. But have you wondered what it really means?
There may be a couple of reasons why you may have protruding teeth - from genetics to habits you may have developed as a child. This article will cover possible causes, symptoms, potential issues and treatment for buck teeth.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your treating dentist for medical advice specific to your condition. Zenyum does not provide medical advice and our systems are doctor-directed treatments.
You'll know you have buck teeth if you find that your upper front teeth protrude outwards over your lower teeth. In dental terms, this is called an "overjet," and it's one of the most common reasons people in Singapore seek teeth straightening. This condition can range from a mild, barely noticeable overlap to a more significant protrusion. It's not just about how your smile looks; a noticeable overjet can sometimes affect how you chew and speak.
Causes of buck teeth
There's a few reasons why you may end up having buck teeth. Let's find out why!
1. Thumb sucking
Sometimes, the habits we had as children can affect how our teeth develop. Thumb sucking actually applies pressure to your front teeth, pushing them outwards. As such, their natural position is shifted and this may lead to protrusions.
2. Tongue-thrusting
One more thing that could cause buck teeth is tongue-thrusting. This happens when your tongue presses too far forward in your mouth. While children normally do this, it is a habit that can carry on into adulthood.
3. Missing or extra teeth
If you've got a missing tooth, or additional teeth, this can affect your teeth alignment and result in you having buck teeth. Not having sufficient space for your teeth to move can also lead to alignment issues.
4. Genetics
In many cases, protruding or buck teeth are due to the underdevelopment of the lower jaw causing it to be shorter than the upper jaw. Having missing, extra, or impacted teeth may even change the development of your jaw since your remaining teeth begin to shift; affecting the position of your front teeth, and leading to protrusions.
Symptoms of buck teeth
Having buck teeth can be unsightly and may make you feel self-conscious about showing your smile. Here are a few symptoms you may experience that may urge you to get your buck teeth fixed:
Your teeth won't be aligned if you have buck teeth. As a result, you may need to chew with more effort, which can add unnecessary strain to your jaw.
Because you're chewing with more effort, this may cause your teeth to become thinner and weak. Nasty bacteria may also grow more easily too.
Experiencing discomfort or strange clicking sounds when you move your jaw? These are symptoms of buck teeth, which can be a hindrance to your daily life.
Find yourself having to repeat sentences over and over again? When you have buck teeth, you may speak more with your tongue, and can't speak clearly or pronounce certain vowels. In more severe cases, you may develop a lisp.
Potential problems associated with buck teeth
A straight smile can boost your confidence. However, not everyone has naturally well aligned teeth. With buck teeth, you may experience several issues and problems like these:
Difficulty chewing or eating
Teeth grinding
Problems with speaking
Tooth fractures
Low self-esteem
Poor oral health
How to fix buck teeth
Fortunately, buck teeth are treatable by a dentist or orthodontist. The most common solution is braces, either traditional metal brackets and wires or clear aligners, like what Zenyum provides. These gradually shift the teeth into proper alignment over time.
For severe misalignment or jaw issues, surgery might be necessary to reposition the jawbone itself, as advised by your dentist. Early intervention is ideal, particularly for growing children, but adults can also achieve a straighter smile by wearing clear aligners.
1. Invisible Braces
Invisible braces is one of the ways that can help correct protruding teeth. As they apply pressure on your teeth to move them into new positions, your treating dentist may advise you to do Interproximal Reduction (IPR) to create space for your teeth to move.
Here are some pros and cons:
Pros
Scallop-trim cut that ensures a comfortable fit
Discreet and barely noticeable
Easy to remove
Suits your lifestyle
Cons
Must be removed before you eat or drink
Need to be cleaned often to avoid discolouration of your aligners
Requires consistent wear time
Take our FREE Smile Check below and let us guide you on whether Zenyum Invisible Braces is the right choice for you!
2. Traditional metal braces
Here's another way to get straighter teeth, and one that you may have heard of. Traditional metal braces have been around for some time as the go-to solution before clear aligners were available as a treatment options.
Of course, it might be more noticeable compared to clear aligners (as you'll end up with a mouth full of metal!) but traditional braces do have their fair share of benefits.
Pros
Corrects a wide range of teeth conditions
They're durable as the wires are made from high-quality stainless steel
Metal braces are fixed to your teeth, and don't require you to remove them before meals
Cons
Prone to irritation in the mouth, due to metal wires rubbing against your cheek, lips and tongue.
You may feel more self-conscious due to the highly visible metal wires
May be more challenging to clean due to the fixed wires and brackets
3. Veneers and dental bonding
Other ways to correct buck teeth would be veneers and dental bonding.
Veneers
Pros
Covers up dental flaws like cracks, chips and stains
Cons
It's a cosmetic dental procedure, and won't correct any underlying dental problems
Need to be replaced every few years
Dental Bonding
Pros
Helps close gaps between teeth
Used to change the shape of your teeth and cover up dental flaws
Cons
A cosmetic dental procedure that won't correct any underlying dental problems
Requires regular maintenance and needs to be replaced every few years
Treatment Option
How It Works
Pros
Cons
Best For
Invisible Braces (e.g., ZenyumClear™)
Uses a series of clear, removable aligners that apply gentle pressure to move teeth into better alignment. May include Interproximal Reduction (IPR) to create space for movement.
• Nearly invisible, discreet look
• Comfortable, scallop-trim design
• Removable for eating and brushing
• Fits easily into daily routines
• Must be removed before eating or drinking
• Requires frequent cleaning
• Needs consistent wear (20–22 hours/day)
Mild to moderate buck teeth cases where tooth movement—not jaw surgery—is required
Traditional Metal Braces
Uses fixed metal brackets and wires to apply continuous pressure to teeth for alignment and bite correction.
• Corrects a wider range of alignment and bite issues
• Very durable and effective
• Doesn’t rely on patient discipline for wear time
• Highly visible
• Can cause mouth irritation
• Harder to clean due to wires and brackets
Moderate to severe cases, or when more complex bite correction is needed
Veneers and Dental Bonding
Cosmetic procedures that reshape or cover the front surface of teeth to improve appearance. They do not move or realign teeth.
Veneers: Cover cracks, chips, and mild protrusion visually Bonding: Closes small gaps or alters tooth shape
• Provides instant aesthetic improvement
• Cosmetic only—won’t correct alignment
• May require replacement every few years
• Needs ongoing maintenance
People seeking a quick cosmetic fix for minor aesthetic buck teeth appearance, not structural correction
Editor’s Tip: When choosing a treatment, think about your lifestyle. If you have a busy job or don't want the look of traditional braces, clear aligners are often the perfect fit. You can still enjoy your favourite foods like laksa or chili crab without worry!
ZenyumClear™ Options for Buch Teeth
If you’re exploring aligners for buck teeth treatment, Zenyum offers different levels of solutions depending on how complex your case is. Each option is designed to balance effectiveness with convenience, so you can choose what best fits your needs.
ZenyumClear™: ZenyumClear™ is best suited for mild buck teeth cases that involve only slight forward tilting of the front teeth. It focuses on gentle, aesthetic adjustments to bring minor protrusion back into better alignment, ideal for those seeking a subtle improvement in their smile’s balance without extensive treatment.
While primarily cosmetic, this entry-level option still uses precise digital planning to ensure predictable, controlled movement of the front teeth. If greater correction or bite adjustment is required, your Zenyum-partnered dentist may recommend upgrading to ZenyumClear™ Plus or Extra for a more comprehensive result, all while keeping your aligner journey nearly invisible.
ZenyumClear™ Plus: ZenyumClear™ Plus provides enhanced movement control for moderate buck teeth cases where the front teeth protrude slightly but jaw alignment remains normal. It allows for more extensive front-to-back tooth adjustments compared to the base ZenyumClear™ system, while maintaining a discreet, clear appearance.
This option is often suitable when mild protrusion affects the smile’s balance or lip support but doesn’t require extractions or complex orthodontic mechanics. Through digital planning and periodic dentist reviews, ZenyumClear™ Plus helps guide the upper teeth into a more harmonious position, offering noticeable improvement in profile and alignment without compromising aesthetics or comfort.
ZenyumClear™ Extra: Designed for more involved mild-to-moderate buck teeth cases, ZenyumClear™ Extra offers the most advanced level of aligner treatment within the Zenyum lineup. It provides greater tooth movement control and precision through full-arch adjustments and the use of attachments on multiple teeth when needed.
This option may help reduce the forward protrusion of the upper front teeth, especially when caused by dental misalignment rather than jaw structure. However, for severe or skeletal-related buck teeth, your Zenyum-partnered dentist may recommend other approaches to achieve the best long-term results.
No matter which option you choose, all ZenyumClear™ aligners are removable, easy to clean, and much less noticeable than braces, giving you flexibility and comfort throughout your treatment.
FAQs
Can buck teeth be prevented?
It isn’t really possible to prevent buck teeth, since genetics play a big role in whether you develop them or not. However, there are some best practices that parents and caregivers can instill to lower the risk of buck teeth in children:
Discourage thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
Discourage tongue thrusting
Visit the dentist at an early age for an orthodontic assessment
Schedule regular dental checkups for early detection and intervention
How long does orthodontic treatment take for buck teeth?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how long orthodontic treatment takes for buck teeth — it depends on your individual smile and the treatment your dentist recommends.
ZenyumClear™: designed for mild to moderate cases, usually takes about 7 months to complete.
ZenyumClear™ Extra: for more complex cases, typically takes around 15 months on average.
Before and After: Buck Teeth
Here are the before and after photos of this Zenyum customer's smile transformation! From having buck teeth to a well aligned smile, this customer had a total of 30 aligner sets over 10 months, and only had to visit their dentist 4 times for fitting, mid-treatment check-ins and post-treatment review.
Find out if you’re a candidate for Zenyum
Delaying your clear aligner treatment could lead to more problems down the road. Start now to get your teeth aligned today!
