The term “overlapping teeth” refers to teeth that are in front of or overlap another tooth or teeth on the same dental arch. You may find it challenging to chew or speak if your teeth overlap. Jaw pain is frequently caused by the alignment, and occasionally people may develop the habit of grinding their teeth as a result. Genetics or childhood practices, such as thumbsucking, are the main causes of overlapping teeth. They may also be brought on by jaws that are not the same size in the upper and lower jaws or by a mouth that is too tiny to accommodate all the teeth properly. The upper and lower jaws might become misaligned as a result of facial or jaw trauma. There may occasionally be an overlap due to missing teeth or additional teeth such as wisdom teeth.
What Causes Overlapping Teeth?
There are numerous reasons why teeth can overlap, most of which are beyond your control. When new teeth try to erupt into a mouth that is too tiny for them to fit comfortably, the result might be crowding. They may also result from having too many or too few teeth, which can obstruct the natural process of teeth erupting and resorbing. Teeth can overlap as a result of having different-sized upper and lower jaws, which can also influence your bite and result in an overbite or underbite when one jaw doesn’t line up properly with the other.
During childhood, behaviors like thumb and bottle sucking may have caused teeth to overlap. When practiced frequently, these practices can alter a child’s palate, which has an impact on how their teeth erupt. Last but not least, accidents might result in overlapping teeth. Poorly performed dental restorations and health issues are a couple of these. Teeth can overlap as a result of long-term damage to tooth structures from gum disease and jaw tumors.
Dental Issues Caused By Overlapping Teeth
You may experience some very serious issues depending on how severe your tooth misalignment issue is. Overlapping teeth can be more significant than just being a little unattractive, causing problems with biting, eating, and even having to deal with nasty dental diseases. You may find it difficult to effectively brush or floss your teeth if your teeth overlap. Frequently, the layered sections aren’t cleaned properly enough, which raises the risk of degradation. This inability to adequately maintain some teeth’s cleanliness can potentially result in gingivitis and even periodontitis. Severely overlapping teeth can lead to migraines, jaw pain, undesired decay, gum disease, difficulty chewing, and even the development of an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite.
Treatment Options
It is recommended that you visit the best orthodontist in Kochi if you are unhappy with the way your teeth look or believe your dental health may be suffering as a result of the problem. The good news is that the issue can be solved in a number of different ways. Selecting a treatment approach should be your next step after deciding to receive treatment for overlapping teeth. The following are some of the typical methods used to treat overlapping teeth:
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Braces
One of the most often used methods of teeth alignment therapy is braces. They have given millions of people around the world teeth alignment treatments and have demonstrated their effectiveness for several decades. The most popular kind of braces is metal ones, which are fitted tightly over the teeth and straightened by forcing them in the correct direction. Many people may find wearing braces to be uncomfortable and subject to a number of limitations. Because of this, more people are switching to invisible braces or aligners.
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Aligners
The standard treatment for all tooth alignment issues is aligners or invisible braces. The fact that aligners are manufactured specifically for each patient’s teeth and treatment needs is one of their main benefits. They add to the aesthetic value because they are adaptable, painless, and almost undetectable. Aligners are plastic molds that are placed on teeth to press them in the appropriate direction and provide alignment. The ability to remove invisible aligners whenever you like is another benefit. Other treatment approaches do not offer this characteristic. Because they are easily removable, patients won’t have to follow any dietary restrictions and can easily clean and maintain them.
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Sculpting
Sometimes, sculpting can be used to fix minor occurrences of overlapping bottom teeth or front teeth. The orthodontist uses a drill or laser to reduce overlapping and provide adequate space for the troublesome teeth. This process may weaken the teeth.
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Veneers
Veneers are very thin molds used to cover the visible portion of teeth. They are fitted onto the damaged teeth after being appropriately sculpted and are manufactured to match the color of your original teeth. They are a little pricey and are used to treat a variety of orthodontic problems.
Conclusion
Having teeth that overlap is a relatively common dental problem. Dental professionals typically do not recommend treatments for minor overlap. However, it is strongly advised to see the best dental clinic in Kochi to go through your treatment options if they negatively impact both your oral and general health.
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