Ideally, each of the teeth should stand right next to each other to form a beautifully straight smile, but for many people, a few can actually crisscross. Overlapping teeth are extremely common, and we see them all the time here at Shirck Orthodontics. This issue can negatively affect both the appearance as well as the health of the smile, but fortunately, your orthodontist in Westerville can offer a proven solution. What causes the teeth to overlap in the first place? How can they be treated? Read on to find the answers to these questions and more.
Why Teeth Can Become Overlapped
The teeth are meant to be straight, so why do they become overlapped so often? The primary reason is that one of a person’s jaws is likely slightly underdeveloped or undersized, which means that the teeth don’t have enough room to come in properly. As a result, a tooth may erupt at an odd angle or in front or behind the others to fit within the dental arch.
The path of incoming adult teeth can also be thrown off by crooked baby teeth. The baby teeth serve a lot of purposes, and a big one is that they essentially clear the path for the adult teeth to come in. If a baby tooth is misaligned, it may guide an adult tooth in a way that causes it to overlap with its neighbor.
The Risks of Overlapping Teeth
Overlapping teeth can cause a wide variety of problems, including:
- Self-esteem issues because a person feels unconfident about their smile.
- Increased risk of cavities and gum disease because the teeth are difficult to brush and floss properly.
- Higher chance of the teeth becoming damaged or chipped because they are exposed and experience excess bite pressure.
- Chronic jaw and head pain because a misaligned bite can strain the jaw muscles.
What Can be Done About Overlapping Teeth?
Fortunately, whether you or your child has overlapping teeth, the solution is simple: contact your orthodontist in Westerville! At Shirck Orthodontics, we can use various types of braces as well as Invisalign to create more room in the dental arch and then move any overlapping teeth into their proper positions. In some cases, a tooth may need to be removed by a general dentist or oral surgeon first to create enough room in the mouth for the teeth to shift, but the end result will be the same: a perfectly straight smile where all of the teeth can be clearly seen!
Thanks to modern-day orthodontic care, no one has to live with overlapping teeth anymore. If you’re ready to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted, or if your child could benefit from treatment, then we invite you to schedule a FREE consultation at Shirck Orthodontics today!
About the Author
Dr. Jeffrey Shirck is an award-winning orthodontist based in Westerville. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Dr. Shirck has dedicated himself to completing advanced training every year in order to improve his care, and he and his team strive to provide fully personalized treatments for every patient. An Elite Invisalign Provider since 2017, he’s proud to serve the Westerville community and looks forward to meeting you soon.