Correcting Protruding Teeth

Front teeth that stick out can look unsightly and may cause a lack of confidence in some people

Where the top teeth at the front of the mouth protrude, this is usually referred to by dentists as an ‘overjet’, but also more commonly by the general public as ‘buck teeth’. Whatever you call them, there is little doubt that teeth that stick out in this manner will inevitably detract from your smile. It may well also cause a loss of confidence in some people.

Overjets can be caused by a number of possible factors including genetics, overcrowding of teeth, and even when the patient regularly pushes against the teeth with their tongue. Whatever the cause though, our team at Alexandra Dental Care in Swadlincote near Burton, can help to correct this problem.

Fixing ‘buck teeth’

Whatever the cause of this problem, the priority for most of our Burton and Ashby patients is to correct this and to provide them with a greatly improved smile. There is no ‘simple fix’ to this problem that can be done in one visit but there are ways that we can help with this in a convenient manner.

The first thing that needs to be done is for our dentist to thoroughly examine the problem. This is a complex area and it is possible in more extreme cases that more severe protrusion could require surgery to correct it, should you decide that you want your smile fixed enough to have that done.

In most cases, and especially the milder ones, there is every chance that we will be able to help you reposition the teeth so that you have a natural smile again. In the majority of cases, this will require orthodontic treatment, braces, over a period of time.

Which dental braces?

The type of dental brace that we use to fix this problem will depend on what the consultation and examination reveals. We will always try to offer the most discreet teeth straightening option that we can, but it may be necessary to use the more traditional form of brace in some situations. Even then, we may be able to use less visible materials such as tooth coloured wiring and brackets rather than the traditional and more visible metal ones.

The most popular type of orthodontic that we might use to correct this issue is Invisalign. This method doesn’t use the traditional ‘wire and brackets’ system that has been widely used for a very long time. This very popular system requires the patient to wear a series of transparent ‘trays’ that fit directly on the teeth and applies gentle pressure to move the teeth to their desired position. Each tray is worn for a short period of time before being replaced by the next which will continue to gently straighten the teeth. The number of trays may vary depending on the amount of movement that is required.

Each tray is made from a medical grade transparent plastic and will enable our Burton and Ashby patients to have their teeth straightened in a discreet manner. You can also remove the trays for eating meals and cleaning your teeth, making both your enjoyment and food and your overall dental hygiene much easier to maintain.

It should be noted that where overcrowded teeth is the initial cause of the overjet, it may be necessary to extract some teeth before the actual straightening treatment starts. We will also, of course, ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy before we start the treatment too.

If you have crooked teeth, whether they protrude from the mouth or just spoil your overall smile, our friendly team can help you! To find out more, please contact us to arrange an initial consultation where we can examine your teeth and discuss the way forward with you by calling Alexandra Dental Care on 01283 216347.

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