You’ve probably heard of the term “buck teeth,” but what are buck teeth? Most people with buck teeth actually have an overbite, which can cause problems with biting and chewing if not corrected. How do you fix buck teeth? Can you use braces or Invisalign on buck teeth?
Smiles by the Bay offers braces treatment for buck teeth and Invisalign treatment. Buck teeth give the appearance that you have big front teeth, but we have ways of correcting even a severe overbite and giving you a smile you can be proud to show off!
What Causes Buck Teeth?
Can you get buck teeth from thumbsucking? Do pacifiers cause buck teeth? It’s not unusual for a parent to worry about their child getting a buck-toothed smile. In some cases, an overbite is genetic. In other cases, there are things parents can do to prevent buck teeth.
Thumbsucking and pacifiers can cause overbites if used for a prolonged period. We strongly recommend you make sure your child stops using pacifiers or sucking their thumb by age 2. Otherwise, the thumb or pacifier can alter the shape of your child’s mouth as it’s developing.
Here are the ways your child could get an overbite:
- Genetics
- Thumb-sucking
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Pacifier use
- Teeth crowding
- TMJ dysfunction
Why Should I Fix My Buck Teeth?
Why should you fix buck teeth? There are plenty of people with big teeth, right? An overbite is about more than just appearance, though. A malocclusion, or bad bite, can cause a range of health problems, from excessive tooth wear to digestive issues.
Here are some of the health issues that can result from a bad bite:
- Headaches
- Neck aches
- Jaw pain
- Jaw fatigue
- Tooth decay
- Excessive tooth wear
- Difficulty chewing
- Digestive problems (indigestion)
- Facial structure changes
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
These problems can worsen over time, so the sooner dental issues are addressed, the better off your child will be. Fixing an overbite can reduce or eliminate these problems. We’ve seen many transformations before and after buck teeth, and our patients often feel better physically and gain self-confidence!
How to Get Rid of Buck Teeth
The easiest way to fix protruding teeth is with braces treatment or Invisalign treatment. Smiles by the Bay has several options to repair your child’s buck teeth and give them a healthy smile that can last their lifetime.
Braces for Buck Teeth
The most tried-and-true method for fixing an overbite is with braces. Braces can repair an overbite within months, improve oral health, and rebuild self-confidence with a straight, beautiful smile.
Smiles by the Bay uses self-ligating braces, the next step from the traditional metal braces you may remember. Self-ligating braces don’t use traditional elastics to hold the archwire to the brackets. This allows for less friction and more precise movement. It makes the braces more comfortable to wear.
Braces can fix your overbite, but they can fix more than that.
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Deep bite
- Open bite
- Crossbite
- Gap teeth
- Crowded teeth
How long will your child have to wear braces? That depends on the number of orthodontic problems and the severity of those issues. Treatment times for self-ligating braces are shorter than with traditional braces. On average, treatment can last about 12-24 months.
Invisalign for Buck Teeth
Can you use Invisalign or Invisalign Teen for buck teeth? Yes, in many cases. However, Invisalign or Invisalign Teen may not be the best choice for the most severe dental cases. We will evaluate your child to determine whether Invisalign will work best for their dental treatment.
You may be wondering, what is the difference between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen for overbites? Both offer amazing results, but Invisalign Teen offers a few features that make them easier for children to use.
Invisalign clear aligners are custom-molded to your child’s teeth and are designed to move their teeth in increments. The aligners are switched out every 1-2 weeks with new aligners that move the teeth further.
Now, we must admit teenagers may not be the most vigilant when it comes to schedules. That’s why the biggest difference between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen is the indicator dot. This blue spot fades over two weeks. Once it’s gone, it’s time to change out the aligners.
Invisalign Teen also makes room for teeth that may still erupt or baby teeth that may not have fallen out yet. That means your child can begin their treatment for buck teeth with Invisalign as early as possible.
Whether your child’s treatment plan includes braces or clear aligners, we can fix your child’s overbite and other dental problems and reduce the appearance of the “buck teeth” smile.
What to Expect After Braces for Buck Teeth
How will braces or Invisalign change your teenager? Without dental issues, their oral health should improve, which will improve their overall health. It may also improve your child’s self-esteem.
Straight teeth are easier to keep clean than crooked teeth, so braces treatment reduces your child’s chances of tooth decay and gum disease. Straight teeth also bite and chew food properly, improving their digestion and nutrition because the food will be processed properly.
A repaired bite means your child’s teeth fit together the way they should. A bad bite puts excess pressure on the teeth and jaws, causing excessive tooth wear, headaches, and jaw pain. Braces treatment reduces or eliminates these issues.
How does all this help your child’s self-esteem? An overbite can give your child’s face the appearance of a small chin, a protruding upper jaw, and large front teeth. Straight teeth will return your child’s face to the features they were meant to have. This will give them more self-confidence.
Buck Teeth Treatment in Annapolis, MD
Does your child need braces for an overbite? Would they prefer Invisalign for their buck teeth? Smiles by the Bay offers these orthodontic treatments to patients in Annapolis, MD, Kent Island, MD, and Denton, MD. Schedule an orthodontic consult with us to see what treatment options we can offer you.
