At OKC Smiles, we provide advanced cosmetic dentistry. That means we repair all types of smile shortcomings.
Overlapping teeth are fairly common. And while many individuals 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 bring about overlapping teeth. Of course, some children 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 lead to overlap.
Unfortunately, overlapping teeth can cause oral issues.
When does it become important to fix overlapping teeth?
- Overlapping teeth cause a lisp,
- make chewing or speaking difficult,
- creates jaw pain,
- trigger tooth grinding or clenching,
- and cause 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 adjusting overlapping teeth:
- Clear aligners
- Invisalign
- Traditional braces
How long does it take to fix 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 correct overlapping teeth, depending on the method.
Are overlapping teeth causing you oral problems?
If overlapping teeth cause complications such as tooth or jaw pain, difficulty speaking clearly, or damaging oral habits, it is wise 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 correct an overlap as a child or teen, you will likely need a retainer to maintain the teeth’s position.
Contact OKC Smiles:
405-634-7303
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
13900 S Western Ave, Suite 300
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
73170
