As we know, protruding teeth, also known as “Buck Teeth”, are a common problem in both children and adults, affecting many patients with an overbite or angled tooth line. The good news is that protruding teeth can often be treated relatively easily, depending on what has caused the protrusion in the first place.
What causes protruding teeth?
Protruding teeth are often caused during childhood through behaviour. However, there are some behaviours that are more likely to affect adults or to develop over time from childhood.
THUMB-SUCKING
When Thumb-sucking continues past the age of 3 or 4 or while the permanent teeth are appearing, the pressure created by the sucking and the finger can cause the permanent teeth to come in at an abnormal angle.
PACIFIER-SUCKING
ucking on a pacifier can cause an overbite the same way that sucking on a thumb can. According to research published in 2016 in the Journal of the American Dental Association, pacifier use was associated with a higher risk of developing malocclusions than finger- or thumb-sucking.
TONGUE-THRUSTING
Protruding teeth can be caused by the tongue pressing too far forward in the mouth. It can be caused by poor swallowing habits in childhood. In adults, stress can also cause it.
GENETICS
Some people are simply born with an uneven jaw, or mismatched sizing of the upper or lower jaw. This is typically treated with orthodontic treatment in childhood and adolescence or orthognathic surgery in rare and extreme cases.
MISSING TEETH, EXTRA TEETH
Spacing or crowding in the mouth can change the alignment of front teeth, potentially causing protruding teeth over time.
GUM (PERIODONTAL) DISEASE AND BONE LOSS
Periodontal disease can also lead to protruding teeth as a result of bone loss and loss of stability. The teeth can become mobile and can also drift and often typically start to protrude and elongate.
MOUTH AND JAW TUMOURS AND CYSTS
Although very rare, growths such as cysts, benign or malignant tumours in the mouth or jaw can also cause teeth to move and protrude.
If left untreated, What can protruding teeth cause?
Tooth protrusion takes place as a result of the upper jaw being thrust ahead of the lower jaw, which results in bite irregularities and uneven pressure on teeth. Protruding teeth stick out further, and they are more likely to get chipped, broken, or knocked out.
Other than affecting your facial structure and the formation of your jaw bone, severe tooth protrusion can also make it difficult to close your lips completely.Tooth protrusion may lead to bone loss in the jaw if it’s left untreated since it often puts too much pressure on teeth that touch each other over a period of time.
Can Braces Fix Protruding Teeth And What Are The Other Correction Option?
You’ll need to see an orthodontist for treatment. Your orthodontist will determine the best treatment plan based on your needs.
BRACES
Traditional wire braces and retainers are the most common treatment for buck teeth. Metal brackets and wires attached to the teeth are manipulated over time to gradually move the teeth for a straighter smile.
.
PALATE EXPANSION
Palate expansion is usually used to treat children or adolescents whose upper jaw is too small to accommodate adult teeth.
INVISALIGN
Invisalign can be used to treat minor malocclusions in teenagers and adults. A series of clear plastic aligners are made from a mold of your teeth and worn over the teeth to gradually change their position.
JAW SURGERY
Orthognathic surgery is used to treat severe issues. It’s also used for people who have stopped growing to correct the relationship between the upper and lower jaws.
