Treatment Options for Overlapping Teeth
When teeth overlap, your smile can face serious problems. Whether it's the result of an overbite or issues with adjacent teeth crowding together, the appearance of your smile and your dental health are negatively impacted. Thankfully the team at our Fountain Valley dental care center can use advanced cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and orthodontic procedures to help improve the alignment of your smile.
Let's take a moment to consider the dangers of overlapping teeth and what we can do to improve the appearance and health of your smile.
Cosmetic Problems Caused by Overlapping Teeth
Overlapping teeth can cause a number of aesthetic problems that impact your smile. The primary issue is a feeling a self-consciousness. If you have teeth that overlap considerably, you may feel reluctant to laugh, speak, and smile around other people, including loved ones you have known for many years. People who work in fields that involve lots of public interaction may experienced poorer job performance simply because of the alignment of their teeth.
Dental Health Issues Caused by Overlapping Teeth
If you have teeth that overlap, this can lead to a number of dental health problems. For once, biting and chewing with overlapping teeth can lead to pain and discomfort. In addition, overlapping teeth can result in issues with teeth grinding (bruxism), which can lead to tooth damage, gum recession, and jaw joint issues such as a TMJ disorder (TMD).
Treatment with Porcelain Veneers and Dental Crowns
When the overlapping is very minor and does not impact your dental health, it may be possible to address the issues using cosmetic or restorative dentistry. Porcelain veneers will help conceal the problem tooth or teeth from view, improving the overall appearance of your dental alignment; dental crowns can be used to cap a tooth that protrudes, improving alignment in the process.
Orthodontic Treatment Options
For most patients with overlapping teeth, orthodontic care tends to be the best option. Braces, palatal spacers, headgear, and other appliances can assist with overlaps, whether they are the result of an overbite or problems with the position of adjacent teeth. If possible, it's ideal to initiate orthodontic care during a person's teens. At an earlier age, treatments tend to go quicker, though good results can come from adult orthodontics.
Oral Surgery and Advanced Dental Therapies
When orthodontic care is not sufficient to address the issues that a patient faces, oral surgery and advanced dental therapy are the ideal treatment options to pursue. The oral surgery will help adjust the bone and other hard tissues in the mouth that cannot be corrected through orthodontic care alone. Following the dental surgery, orthodontic care or restorative procedures may be used to achieve the final results of treatment.
Developing a Custom Treatment Plan for You
As you can see, there are many approaches to treating teeth that overlap. The best way to learn more about all of these options and which may be most ideal for you is to visit our practice for a consultation. We can discuss all of these procedures with you in greater detail and provide insight with regard to the risks and benefits involved.
Learn More About Advanced Dental Care
If you would like to learn more about treating teeth that overlap and improving the alignment of your smile, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic and restorative dentist today. The team at our practice looks forward to your visit and helping you smile with improved health.
