Protruding teeth are also called “buck teeth.” It is a dental condition in which the upper front teeth extend significantly forward compared to adjacent teeth and to the lower front teeth. This results in an imbalanced bite, an unaesthetic appearance, and functional issues.
This can cause several issues, including biting and chewing difficulties, discomfort of the jaw, and speech difficulties. In cases where the lower teeth overlap with the protruding upper teeth, the pressure from the lower teeth on the back of the upper teeth can lead to spacing, crowding, and further protrusion of the upper teeth.
In this blog, we will discuss the causes and effects of protruding teeth along with problems associated with protrusion, treatment modalities, and the cost associated with treating such dental conditions.
Proclined teeth can occur due to a variety of factors, which may be caused by a single issue or a combination of multiple factors acting simultaneously. Let’s explore the potential causes:
Protruded teeth and overbites run in families. If parents or siblings have protruded teeth, it is likely for the patient to have a genetic predilection to protrusion. In such cases, there are not many preventive measures that can be taken, except early identification and undertaking management behaviors in the formative years.
Thumb sucking, or sucking of fingers, is a normal infant behavior. This is normal behavior; however, if this continues beyond the age of 3 to 4 years, pressure is applied on the upper jaw and the erupting teeth, causing them to protrude forward out of the mouth. This can also cause misalignment of teeth.
Thrusting the tongue against the palate and the front teeth while swallowing causes pressure on the upper front teeth, forcing them to protrude and also creating an overbite.
Similar to digit sucking, sucking on a pacifier also creates pressure on the upper jaw and erupting teeth, leading to protrusion and overbite. Pacifiers should also be stopped before the ages of 3 to 4 years to prevent these deleterious effects.
Protrusion of teeth causes many problems; some of them are listed here:
There are multiple treatment options for protruding teeth. Different treatment options may be used for different patients, depending on their needs.
Protruding teeth can be effectively corrected with braces, whether metal, ceramic, or clear aligners like Invisalign, depending on the severity of the case. When a skeletal issue is identified, myofunctional appliances may be used to address jaw discrepancies, either in conjunction with braces or independently. In some cases, headgear may also be recommended as part of the treatment plan to help align the jaw and improve overall dental function.
For severe cases of skeletal protrusion, orthognathic surgery may be used to reposition upper and lower jaws into correct positions to achieve proper bite alignment.This is mostly considered in adult orthodontic therapy.
Smile design treatment is one of the most common corrective measures for mild cases of anterior protrusion. It involves treatments like veneers and crowns to correct the alignment of teeth and give a bold and confident look to patients.
Protrusion can be corrected using clear aligners like Invisalign or with smile designing treatment as mentioned above.
Clear aligners are comparatively more comfortable, less painful, and less cumbersome when compared to braces. It can, however, be only used in mild cases of protruded teeth.
For mild cases of protrusion, smile designing can give beautiful results. It aligns teeth in the correct position, increasing functional efficiency and giving esthetic results.
As the treatment of protruded teeth varies, the cost of the treatment will also vary. Correcting mild proclination early not only saves a person from difficulty in chewing and speaking, it also reduces the cost of the treatment drastically.
Dhriti Dental offers personalized consultations and treatments for protruded teeth problems. Visit the best dental clinic in Hyderabad for expert care! Book your appointment now!
The time duration for fixing protrusion varies with the severity, and the choice of treatment also. Smile designing takes between 10-14 days, whereas braces, aligners, and functional appliances may take up to 18 months or more in severe cases.
For mild to moderate cases of protruded teeth, aligners work as well as braces. Severe protrusion may require braces.
We ensure that all treatment is as painless as it can be. Braces and aligners may cause slight discomfort.