Teeth that jut out from the gums at an unnatural angle, sometimes called "buck teeth," can distort your face's profile and leave you feeling self-conscious every time you smile. Thankfully, there are a number of cosmetic dentistry procedures available to fix this condition, and your dentist can help you choose the right one for your mouth. In some cases, the teeth simply grow outwards rather than straight down as they develop, pushing them up against your lips, or you may suffer from a skeletal misalignment that results in an overbite. No matter what the cause, your dentist will likely recommend that you follow one of these three corrective procedures.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics such as braces or veneers are a popular option for mild cases of protruding teeth, particularly if you also have gaps in your smile. The extra space left by gaps makes it easy to realign and shape teeth into a more natural position, giving you an appealing grin in as little as a month. Of course, it can take longer, depending on the severity of your problem, and results will be less noticeable if your mouth is already crowded. Orthodontics are an easy and non-invasive procedure, making them by far the most popular procedure to fix buck teeth.
Tooth Extraction
In situations where your teeth are too close together for orthodontics to be effective, your dentist may determine that you need a tooth extracted on each side of your jaw to make room. Although this may sound intimidating, the surgery is a relatively easy outpatient procedure, and you should only require a few days to recover. Afterward, you will then be able to wear orthodontics with much better results. Dentists typically choose to remove bicuspids, or the teeth found just ahead of your molars, and you probably will not even notice that they are gone. If you are uncertain about tooth extractions, be honest with your dentist and don't hesitate to seek a second opinion.
Jaw Surgery
Finally, in very pronounced cases such as a serious overbite, you may need to undergo full dental surgery to alter the position of your jaw and bring your teeth back into alignment. This surgery is more involved than a tooth extraction, and you will in all likelihood face a longer recovery period as a result. This is usually a last resort, but it can have a drastic effect on your profile and future dental health. Since any irregularities in your bite have been shown to lead to an increased risk for cavities, gum disease, broken teeth, headaches and sore jaw muscles on top of lower self-esteem, contact your dentist to discover your options and improve your quality of life as soon as possible.
Share30 January 2015
If you are someone who hesitates to open your mouth when you smile because you are embarrassed about your teeth, you should know that there are a number of cosmetic techniques that can give you a beautiful smile you will be proud to show to the world. As a cosmetic dentist, I have seen many clients transform their lives simply by fixing their smiles. This blog is meant to encourage people to find out about the possibilities in cosmetic dentistry so they can feel good about their smiles. A beautiful, confident smile really can change your life. I would love to show you how.
