What Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments Can Get Rid Of Prominent Buck Teeth?

27 December 2022
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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When your top two front teeth protrude over your bottom teeth, it's often referred to as having buck teeth. This is a dental condition called an overjet, and it happens when your jaw isn't aligned correctly. Your lower jaw may be too far back, or your upper jaw may be too far forwards. Either condition can lead to your top two front teeth becoming too prominent.

In addition to being a cosmetic issue, buck teeth can also cause oral health problems. Buck teeth can make it difficult for you to chew properly. If you're constantly pressing up on your buck teeth while you're chewing, then you may bring the rest of your teeth out of alignment, leading to worse problems with your bite and the appearance of your smile.

It's important to treat your buck teeth in order to stop them from becoming worse or affecting the alignment of your other teeth. To learn what cosmetic dentistry options are available for getting rid of your buck teeth and correcting your smile, read on.

Braces

Braces are the preferred treatment for buck teeth. Braces work by gently pulling on your teeth in order to shift their position. When you make an appointment with a dentist to have your buck teeth corrected, they'll take X-rays of your jaw to determine what type of jaw misalignment is causing them. An orthodontist can attach braces to your teeth and gradually tighten and adjust them over the course of a few months to correct the issue.

Braces will slowly shift all of your teeth back into their normal anatomical positions, including your buck teeth. Your buck teeth will no longer be visible when you smile, and they'll no longer affect your ability to chew.

Veneers

Veneers are another potential treatment for buck teeth, and they're a quicker treatment option than braces. Dental veneers are small pieces of porcelain that act as a replacement for the front of your tooth, and they're often used to make teeth appear whiter or to hide minor imperfections like chips or jagged areas of your teeth. When you get veneers, a small layer of enamel will be removed from the front of your tooth and the veneer will be attached to the surface using a very strong resin.

Veneers can correct minor cases of buck teeth by reducing their length and making them less prominent. They can also be used to slightly elongate your bottom front teeth, which can help them better match your buck teeth.

While veneers can be used to get rid of the appearance of your buck teeth, they aren't able to correct the jaw misalignment that led to your buck teeth appearing in the first place. Your buck teeth may continue to worsen, and you may still have problems chewing food. However, they can be a good option if you're looking for the fastest way to get rid of your buck teeth, such as if you need to hide their appearance for an upcoming wedding.

Overall, braces are considered the best way to fix buck teeth because they'll correct the underlying jaw misalignment that caused them. Veneers, however, can be used as a temporary solution when you need to hide them quickly. If you have buck teeth and want to get rid of them, schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentistry clinic in your area and have them take X-rays of your teeth and jaw. They'll help you decide which method of correcting your buck teeth will be the best fit for you. Contact a cosmetic dentist like Scott Nickels, DDS to learn more.