San Francisco and Marin CA
Crowded and overlapping teeth are not only an aesthetic issue — they can also cause significant oral health issues. Fortunately, a solution is as close as your friendly San Francisco cosmetic dentist’s office. Whether you’re experiencing discomfort or difficulty cleaning your teeth properly or you simply want a straighter smile, our Bay Area dental treatments can help.
Let’s take a look in today’s Glen Park Dental blog at why teeth overlap and what our practice can do to correct it.
Understanding overlapping teeth
Overlapping teeth, also known as dental crowding, can occur for several reasons, including:
- Genetics — If your parents had crowded teeth, you might have inherited a smaller jaw or misaligned bite, leading to overcrowded teeth of your own.
- Premature tooth loss — Losing baby teeth too soon can cause permanent teeth to shift into incorrect positions.
- Jaw size — Some people have smaller jawbones, meaning room isn’t sufficient for teeth to align properly.
- Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use — If children suck their thumb or a pacifier beyond their toddler years, it can impact tooth alignment.
- Wisdom teeth growth — Emerging wisdom teeth can push against other teeth, causing them to shift and overlap.
So what’s the big deal?
If cosmetic issues with crowded, overlapping teeth aren’t necessarily important to you, our San Francisco dentist still has reasons that dental overcrowding should be addressed, including:
- Oral hygiene — Crowded teeth create tight spaces between teeth that are hard for a toothbrush and floss to reach. This increases your risk of developing cavities and gum disease.
- Dental wear and tear — Misaligned teeth create uneven pressure on your bite, leading to premature wear and jaw pain.
- Speech issues — In some cases, overlapping teeth can impact speech clarity.
- Damage risk — Protruding or crowded teeth are more prone to chipping, cracking or injury.
How can overcrowding be corrected?
Our cosmetic dentist in Marin offers customized solutions to straighten your teeth and improve your oral health, including:
- Traditional metal braces — Effective for severe crowding and misalignment.
- Invisalign — Using a series of discreet, comfortable aligners, Invisalign is a modern orthodontic solution that can straighten crooked teeth, usually in about half the time of traditional braces. Because the aligners are clear, Invisalign is a popular option for adults and teens.
- Dental bonding — In cases of minor misalignment, reshaping teeth with shapable composite resin can create a more uniform appearance.
- Veneers — These wafer-thin shells made of durable porcelain or composite resin can be placed over overlapping teeth, making them appear straighter.
Correct dental crowding in the Bay Area
Overlapping teeth can negatively impact your self-confidence, but they can also hurt your dental health. Our experienced team at Glen Park Dental can help give you the happy, healthy smile you want and deserve. Call us at (415) 799-3900, or reach out to us online today.
