It can be frustrating to look in the mirror and notice that your front teeth are starting to overlap. In addition to making you feel self-conscious, overlapping teeth can make tough for you to thoroughly clean your teeth and increase your risk of cavities as a result. They can also cause chewing challenges.
What is the most common cause of overlapping teeth? Dental crowding. If there is not enough room for your back teeth, they may push your front teeth together. When this happens, your front teeth may overlap. Often times, traditional metal braces and Invisalign can resolve this problem. In some cases, a tooth extraction may be needed to make room.
While orthodontics is typically the best way to resolve overlapping teeth, there are also a few cosmetic dental procedures that can do the trick. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are designed to cover the front surface of your teeth to improve their look. They are bonded to the front of your teeth and can improve your overlapping teeth.
Another option is dental sculpting. If your teeth simply need a bit of reshaping, dental sculpting is the way to go. It involves your dentist using a drill or laser to reduce the overlap and make more room for your teeth. Since this process can weaken your teeth, it’s not always the best choice.
If you do undergo braces or Invisalign to resolve overlapping teeth, it’s important to wear your prescribed retainer once you’ve completed treatment. In the event you do not, your teeth may eventually return to their overlapping positions and you’ll need orthodontic treatment once again. Our Raleigh female dentist friend Anna Gladwell has seen these types of situations often and offers Invisalign treatment.
Schedule an Appointment at River Run Dental
If you are bothered by overlapping front teeth and longing for a solution, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at our spa-like Richmond, VA dental office. Call us at 804-262-1060 today. We look forward to hearing from you!