Overlapping Teeth – Causes, Issues and Treatment Options

A dental alignment disorder where teeth extend over one another is called overlapping teeth, sometimes known as crooked teeth. Many people ignore certain people's slightly overlapping teeth. However having many overlapping teeth as a result of dental crowding can be a significant dental problem that requires quick attention. Overlapping can seriously impair the ability to do fundamental tasks like biting and eating in addition to being unattractive and leading to a crooked smile. Let's examine the causes, effects, and treatment options for overlapped teeth in more detail.

Causes of Overlapping Teeth

Crowding, or the occurrence of teeth that are in close proximity to one another, is a frequent dental issue that has many potential causes. The most typical reasons of overlapping teeth include the following:

Genetics: Genetics is one of the main contributors of overlapping teeth. Your likelihood of experiencing this issue may increase if your parents experienced it.

Insufficient space in the jaw: When the jaw is too small to fit all of the teeth, overlapping teeth can also happen. This may cause teeth to erupt at obtuse angles or overlap one another.

Thumb Sucking: Overcrowding teeth can also result from frequent thumb sucking. As a result, the teeth may become misaligned due to the thumb's continual pressure.

Tongue Thrusting: Constant tongue pressure, like thumb sucking, can cause teeth to move out of alignment.

Gum Disease: Teeth that have advanced gum disease may become loose and shift, causing them to overlap.

Early loss of baby Teeth: Early tooth loss can cause crowding if the remaining teeth move out of alignment.

Trauma: Teeth can move or become misaligned as a result of trauma to the mouth or jaw, which can result in overlapping teeth.

Malocclusion: Malocclusion is a condition in which the teeth do not fit together properly. This can cause some teeth to overlap or become crooked.

Oral Habits: Certain oral habits, such as tongue thrusting, teeth grinding, or clenching, can put pressure on the teeth and cause them to shift out of position.

If you are experiencing overlapping teeth, it is important to see a dentist or orthodontist to determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan.  

Issues caused by overlapping teeth

Biting and chewing food can be extremely difficult when teeth overlap. They may also cause additional misalignment issues such overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. In addition to making brushing and flossing difficult, crooked teeth can make it very difficult to maintain healthy teeth. It is possible for gum disorders like gingivitis, which cause inflamed, bleeding, and infected gums, to develop as a result of poor oral hygiene.

Together with migraines, overlapping teeth can result in excruciating gum and tooth discomfort. Even while the physical effects of overlapping teeth are frequently explored in great detail, they can also have an effect on a person's confidence and mental health. Front teeth that overlap frequently make it difficult for people to fully express themselves through smiling.

Overlapping Teeth Treatment

Decide which treatment approach to use after making the decision to have treatment for overlapping teeth. Several of the typical methods of treating overlapping teeth include:

Veneers

When teeth are slightly out of alignment, dental veneers are a common solution. In general, these are not advised for overlapping teeth that are moderate to severe. Veneers are thin, personalized shells that cover your teeth and offer alignment. Your teeth or jaw are not straightened with veneers. They are merely applied to your teeth to boost appearance. Only patients with slightly misaligned teeth are advised to get veneers due to their limited effectiveness.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a cosmetic technique that includes coating the surface of the teeth with tooth-colored resin to enhance aesthetics and minimize overlapping.

Braces

One of the most often used methods of teeth alignment therapy is braces. They have given millions of people around the world teeth alignment treatments and have demonstrated their effectiveness for several decades. The most popular kind of braces are metal ones, which are fitted tightly over the teeth and straighten them by forcing them in the correct direction. Many people may find wearing braces to be uncomfortable and subject to a number of limitations. Because of this, more people are switching to invisible braces or aligners.

Aligners

All teeth alignment methods are increasingly relying on aligners or invisible braces. The fact that aligners are manufactured specifically for each patient's teeth and treatment needs is one of their main benefits. The aesthetic value is increased by their adaptability, painlessness, and near-invisibility. By pressing teeth in the desired direction, aligners are plastic moulds that are placed on teeth to promote alignment. The ability to remove invisible aligners whenever you want is another benefit. Other forms of treatment do not have this feature. Because they are easily removable, patients won't face any food limitations and can easily clean and maintain them.

Dental Crowns: Dental crowns are caps that resemble teeth and are positioned over the teeth to improve their aesthetics and address any overlapping.

In conclusion, overlapping teeth are a frequent dental issue that can be resolved with a number of different treatments. It's crucial to speak with a dentist if your teeth overlap in order to come up with the ideal treatment strategy for you. You can have a straighter, healthier, and more attractive smile with the appropriate treatment.