Litchfield, AZ, Orthodontist Explains Protruding Teeth

Teeth protrusion, or “buck teeth”, is a common dental problem that causes the teeth to stick out further than they should. This condition can result from multiple causes, some starting with childhood habits, and can cause speech difficulties in some people. Thankfully, the condition is easily fixed with modern treatments! Our Litchfield, AZ, orthodontist explains more below. 

Causes of Protruding Teeth

Protruding teeth can have multiple causes, but thumb-sucking in childhood is a common one. As a child’s first set of teeth grow in, this habit can cause the teeth to come in at an angle, setting the mouth up for an overbite, misalignment, or protruding bite in the future. In addition to thumb-sucking, other causes include:

• Face and jaw shape; a lower jaw can push the teeth forward
• Untreated overbite
• Misalignment, crowded teeth, or supernumerary (extra) teeth

No matter the cause of protruding teeth, treatment will result in a beautiful, straight smile, as well as help the patient avoid possible complications.

Complications

While most people have their protruding teeth fixed for cosmetic reasons and to achieve a straighter smile, functional problems can also result from this condition. Issues caused by protruding teeth include:

• Difficulty biting and chewing
• Speech difficulties
• Higher risk of damaging teeth that stick out

Taking care of this issue can relieve problems related to chewing, speaking, and reduce the risk of damaging the teeth.

Treatments

The most common and effective treatment for protruding teeth is metal braces. Depending on the severity of the protrusion, it may be possible to use clear aligners in place of traditional metal braces. In more severe cases, surgery may be recommended to correct the structure of the jaw.

Contact Our Litchfield, AZ, Orthodontist To Find Out More!

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to orthodontics, feel free to contact Surprise Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontist office near Litchfield, AZ, by clicking here or by calling 480.725.8209.