All about bucked teeth

What are bucked teeth? To understand bucked teeth we should know the position of the upper and the lower teeth in relation to each other. In normal conditions, the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth vertically as well as horizontally. The vertical overlap is called overbite and the horizontal overlap is called an overjet. In normal occlusion, the overbite and the overjet are 2mm. When the overjet is more, then the upper front teeth are protruded out and become very prominent. These teeth are then called ‘bucked teeth.’ They are also known as ‘rabbit teeth,’ as like the teeth of the rabbit the front two teeth are very prominent.{{more}}

CAUSES

There are many causes of bucked teeth. It can be because of some habit like thumb sucking or digit sucking. Thumb sucking is the main cause of bucked teeth. When a child sucks the thumb, the upper front teeth are pushed out and the lower front teeth are pushed in. Frequency and duration is of importance, as they both intensify the effect. The thumb sucking habit in the initial years of life is considered normal, but when the temporary teeth are being replaced by the permanent ones, if the thumb sucking habit persists, then it causes bucked teeth. Prolonged use of pacifiers is also a causative factor. Bucked teeth can be hereditary as well.

EFFECTS

Bucked teeth look very unaesthetic. The child loses confidence. It can have an adverse psychological effect. Their personality is badly affected as well. There are adverse facial structure implications as well. The child is not able to close the mouth properly. Sometimes the upper teeth rest on the lower teeth

TREATMENT

Treatment is very simple. If the habit is treated at the right age, that is, before the baby teeth are replaced by the adult ones, then chances of adult teeth becoming bucked is much less. If the teeth are bucked, then braces solve the problem. The braces align the teeth in proper occlusion, but before braces, if the patient has any causative habits, then these must first be corrected.

Dr Keith John

email:drkeithjohn@gmail.com

Clinic: SVG Dental Corporation

Telephone: 784-456-2220

Cell: 784-526-0752