Oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide. Keeping up to date with your dental health is crucial if you want a happy and healthy life. Dental issues like teeth overlap need to be treated just as quickly as you would an impacted tooth.
Overlapping teeth can be extremely uncomfortable. While a bit of overlap is normal and might not cause any issues, if the overlap is severe, it will need orthodontic treatment.
If overlapped teeth are left untreated, you can end up with other oral health issues. Not only can overlapped teeth appear esthetically unappealing, but they can also be difficult to bite and chew.
Keep reading to find out more about the different causes and treatments for overlapped teeth.
What Are the Causes of Overlapping Teeth?
There are generally two main causes for overlapping teeth:
- Overlapping caused by genetics
- Overlapping due to habits
These main causes then get broken up into various scenarios that fit into either genetics or habits.
A common genetic reason for overlapping teeth is if the mouth is too small to accommodate all the teeth. This causes crowding and shifting of teeth as the teeth try to fit into the mall space.
Some people also have extra teeth, which puts pressure on their front teeth. This pressure causes the teeth to overlap.
You can also encounter teeth overlapping if the upper and lower jaw isn’t the same size. It can also result in an underbite or overbite.
Missing teeth, along with poor dental restoration, are also leading causes of teeth overlap.
Habits such as extensive bottle use or thumb sucking can also lead to overlapping or misaligned teeth.
Another common cause of overlapping teeth is jaw injuries and oral health problems.
All of these causes showcase why routine dental checkups are crucial to ensure your oral health stays in top form. When it comes to children, preventative treatment is important if you want to help them build good dental habits.
Why Is This a Problem?
If overlapped teeth are left untreated, they can cause a whole host of health issues along the line. Some of these issues include:
- Teeth wear out quicker compared to straight teeth
- Chewing and speaking can become more difficult
- Your tongue forms new habits that need to be unlearned
- Jaw pain
- Frequent headaches
- It can become difficult to clean your teeth properly
- Higher chance of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease
- Your face shape can change
- You can develop speech problems
- It can promote tooth grinding and clenching
Overlapping teeth may seem like a trivial concern at first, but the longer it is left untreated, the more health and oral issues will start popping up. These issues can have some serious repercussions on your health if left untreated, and it can become more expensive to get fix the teeth overlap if it is left for a long time.
What Are the Treatments for Overlapping Teeth?
Your dentist will recommend a solution based on your specific situation, but there are a few common solutions when it comes to fixing overlapping teeth.
One of the most common and effective ways to fix overlapping teeth is through braces. Braces come in a variety of types and make these days, including:
- Metal braces
- Lingual braces
- Ceramic braces
- Self-ligating braces
The type you pick will depend on your situation, budget, and aesthetic preferences. You might also find some braces are more comfortable than others, and some even attach to the back of your teeth instead of the front.
Clear aligners like Invisalign are another option when it comes to fixing misaligned teeth. Clear aligners are sometimes chosen over braces due to the fact that they are easy to customize to ensure they fit your teeth perfectly. These clear aligners are not only easy to remove, but they are comfortable and nearly invisible.
While clear aligners like Invisalign are more expensive than normal braces, the fact that they give you an unobstructed view of your teeth makes up for it.
Veneers are a thin mold that covers your teeth and can be used as a teeth straightening method. They are custom-made to match the shade of your teeth and sculpted depending on their need. Veneers are a costly form of restorative dentistry, but they can be used to correct a host of orthodontic issues.
Sculpting can also be used to treat teeth overlap if it is mild. A drill or laser is used to reduce the amount of overlap. This gives the teeth space to settle into their position, but it can weaken the teeth in the process.
Each form of treatment will take time, and the severity of the misalignment will be the deciding factor when it comes to choosing a treatment plan. In most cases, it can take up to a year to fix overlapping teeth, but this will also depend on the severity of the overlap and the treatment method.
Treat Overlapping Teeth Before a Problem Occurs
Dealing with overlapping teeth is not only important to keep your smile healthy, but also to avoid any pain caused by the overlapped teeth. Dental services can help you fix the issue before it becomes a more serious problem through restorative dentistry. Don’t wait until you or your child start to feel pain; seek out dental services at the first sign of teeth overlap.
Feel free to contact Grow Pediatric Dentistry to schedule your appointment today! At Grow Pediatric Dentistry, our mission is to deliver compassionate and expert pediatric dental care to the Lakeway and the greater Austin area.
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