Having Buck Teeth: Dentistry That Can Help

Buck teeth, better known as protruding teeth, can be a cosmetic concern for many dental patients. The most common complaint about this common condition is when the upper front teeth protrude more than the rest of the teeth, giving them a prominent appearance that can make a person self-conscious. When the front teeth stick out, they can cause the upper lip to pull up and can make the condition even more noticeable. If this is how you feel about your own teeth, then you may be wondering what you can do about the condition to improve your smile and feel better about your looks. Here are some dentistry techniques you can talk about with your dentist to get the cosmetically beautiful grin you've always wanted.

Braces

You can wear lingual braces or a retainer to pull your teeth back and correct your bite, making your exposed teeth far less noticeable and more aesthetically pleasing. Lingual braces are fitted behind the teeth to give you a more transparent correction that isn't easily noticed by others. Over time the braces pull your teeth inward so they match the rest of your teeth more evenly. A retainer is often worn as well to correct the upper part of your mouth that contributes to your teeth's condition, allowing for more permanent alignment when you are done with this cosmetic treatment.

Veneers

Veneers can greatly improve your smile and make your buck teeth less prominent in your mouth. Using a special tool to 'shave' down your existing teeth, your dentist will then place a cap, or veneer, made of porcelain over the existing tooth. The veneer is then shaped to be more rounded and less severe than your original tooth to match the rest of the teeth in your mouth. This procedure can be done in a single day and can give you the results you desire to improve your grin almost immediately.

Dental implants

If your buck teeth are very severe and correction does not seem like it would fix the condition, your dentist may want to pull the teeth entirely and put in dental implants. Implants are teeth that are embedded into your jawbone for permanent placement in your mouth. They are made of porcelain and can be customized in shape and color to perfectly match the rest of your mouth. Your dentist will want to take X-rays of your jawbone and teeth structure to see if dental implants are your best option.