At Alaska Premier Dental Group, we provide cutting-edge cosmetic dentistry. That means we correct all types of smile flaws.
Overlapping teeth are fairly common. And while many people don’t mind a slight overlap, others feel self-conscious and would like it repaired.
What causes teeth to overlap?
Genetics or thumbsucking as a toddler can result in overlapping teeth. Of course, some kids have teeth that just came in that way.
The mouth may be too small to fit all the teeth appropriately. Or having upper and lower jaws that don’t fit together can be a factor. In addition, an injury can knock the upper and lower jaw out of alignment. In some cases, missing teeth or extra teeth (such as wisdom teeth) can bring about an overlap.
Unfortunately, overlapping teeth can cause oral problems.
When does it become important to repair overlapping teeth?
- Overlapping teeth causes a lisp, or
- makes chewing or speaking difficult,
- leads to jaw pain,
- triggers tooth grinding or clenching,
- causes the person to bite their inner cheeks.
Certainly, there are benefits to fixing overlapping teeth in addition to cosmetic reasons.
How can you fix overlapping teeth? There are several methods for adjusting overlapping teeth. Each has benefits and drawbacks. Discuss them with your dentist or orthodontist.
Are traditional braces the only way to fix overlapping teeth?
There are a few different types of braces available for fixing overlapping teeth:
- Clear aligners
- InvisalignÂ
- Traditional braces
How long does it take to correct overlapping teeth?
The length of treatment varies depending on the severity of the overlap and other factors. However, in most cases, it can take at least one year to repair overlapping teeth, depending on the treatment.
Are overlapping teeth causing you oral dilemmas?
If overlapping teeth cause complications such as tooth or jaw pain, difficulty speaking clearly, or damaging oral habits, it is smart to consider correcting. Correcting overlapping teeth can help eliminate bad habits like tooth grinding, clenching the teeth, and biting the cheeks.
Another thing to keep in mind is that teeth continue to shift with age. Therefore, if you fix an overlap as a child or teen, you will likely need a retainer to maintain the teeth’s position.
Contact Alaska Premier Dental Group:
6611 DeBarr Rd, Ste 100 and 200
Anchorage, Alaska 99504
Phone: 907-337-0404865 N Seward Meridian Parkway, Suite #201
Wasilla, Alaska 99654
Phone: 907-373-5930
