1. What is severe buck teeth?
Severe buck teeth is a condition in which the teeth or upper jaw protrudes excessively compared to the lower jaw, creating a clear imbalance in the face. Unlike mild buck teeth that can only be recognized with close observation, severe buck teeth are easily recognized even with the naked eye.
In severe cases of buck teeth, not only the teeth but also the entire jaw protrudes outward. The distance between the upper and lower incisors often exceeds 4mm. This not only affects facial aesthetics but also causes many problems with chewing and pronunciation functions.
2. Causes of severe buck teeth
There are many causes of severe buck teeth:
- a. Genetics: Genetic factors play an important role in the formation of jawbone and teeth structure. If parents or relatives have buck teeth, children are likely to have the same condition.
- b. Unbalanced jawbone development: When the upper jawbone grows too much compared to the lower jaw, it can lead to severe buck teeth.
- c. Bad habits from childhood: Habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and prolonged use of pacifiers can affect the development of teeth and jawbones, leading to buck teeth.
- d. Early loss of baby teeth: When baby teeth are lost early, other teeth can shift, creating gaps and causing buck teeth when permanent teeth come in.
- e. Trauma: Maxillofacial injuries can affect the development of the jawbone and teeth, leading to severe buck teeth.
- f. Jaw bone disease: Some diseases can cause abnormal development of the jaw bone, leading to severe buck teeth.
3. Signs of severe buck teeth
Severe buck teeth have easily recognizable signs:
- a. Protruding upper front teeth: When viewed from the side, you will see the upper front teeth protrude clearly compared to the lips and chin.
- b. Difficulty closing lips: People with severe buck teeth often have difficulty trying to close their lips completely.
- c. Gummy smile: When smiling, a lot of the upper gums are exposed.
- d. Concave face: The mid-face appears concave due to excessive protrusion of the upper jaw.
- e. Receding chin: The chin appears to be set back relative to the rest of the face.
- f. Difficulty biting and chewing: People with severely buck teeth often have difficulty biting and chewing food.
- g. Incorrect pronunciation: Abnormal tooth position can cause difficulty in pronouncing certain sounds.
4. Harmful effects of severe buck teeth
Severe buck teeth not only affect aesthetics but also cause many health problems:
- a. Psychological impact: People with severe buck teeth often feel self-conscious about their appearance, which affects their social life and work.
- b. Difficulty chewing: Severe buck teeth can cause difficulty in biting and chewing food, affecting the digestive process.
- c. Speech problems: Abnormal tooth position can cause difficulty in pronouncing certain sounds, especially tongue and labial sounds.
- d. Increased risk of dental trauma: Protruding front teeth are vulnerable to injury in the event of an impact.
- e. Uneven tooth wear: Due to an improper bite, some teeth may wear out faster than normal.
- f. Temporomandibular joint problems: Severe overbite can cause temporomandibular joint problems, leading to headaches and jaw pain.
- g. Difficulty in oral hygiene: Severely protruding teeth create many gaps and corners that are difficult to clean, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gingivitis.
5. Treatment methods for severe buck teeth
Treating severe buck teeth requires specialized intervention from dentists. Here are some common methods:
a. Braces:
- Suitable for cases of buck teeth due to crooked teeth.
- Use braces or clear aligners to adjust the position of teeth.
- Treatment time usually lasts from 18 to 36 months.
b. Orthognathic surgery:
- Applicable for severe buck teeth due to jaw bone.
- The doctor will cut and adjust the jawbone position to create balance.
- Often combined with post-surgical braces for optimal results.
c. Combining braces and surgery:
- This method is applied to severe cases of buck teeth caused by both teeth and jaw bones.
- Braces are done first to prepare for surgery.
- After surgery, continue braces to complete the results.
d. Porcelain crowns:
- Only applicable for mild buck teeth cases.
- The dentist will grind a thin layer of enamel and attach a porcelain crown to create a new shape for the tooth.
- This method is quick but not suitable for severe buck teeth.
e. Early orthodontic treatment in children:
- Applicable to children in the development stage.
- Use orthodontic appliances to guide the development of jawbones and teeth.
- Helps prevent severe buck teeth in adulthood.
According to a study (2018) in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, orthodontic jaw surgery combined with braces can bring optimal results.
6. Prevent severe buck teeth
While it is not possible to completely prevent severe buck teeth, especially in cases of genetics, there are some measures that can help reduce the risk and severity:
a. Monitoring dental development in children:
- Take your child to the dentist regularly from the time their baby teeth appear.
- Early detection and intervention of dental and jaw problems.
b. Limit bad habits:
- Prevent thumb sucking and tongue thrusting habits in young children.
- Limit pacifier use after 2 years old.
c. Baby teeth care:
- Keep baby teeth healthy to ensure normal development of permanent teeth.
- Timely treatment of baby teeth problems such as tooth decay and early tooth loss.
d. Maintain good oral hygiene habits:
- Brush your teeth properly, at least twice a day.
- Use dental floss daily.
e. Balanced diet:
- Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D for bone and teeth development.
- Limit hard and sticky foods that can affect tooth position.
f. Early orthodontic treatment if necessary:
- If there are signs of buck teeth, you should consult an orthodontist for a suitable treatment plan.
7. Conclusion
Severe buck teeth are a serious dental problem that affects both aesthetics and function. However, with the development of modern dentistry, there are many effective treatment methods. Early detection and timely intervention are the keys to achieving the best results in treating severe buck teeth.
If you or a loved one is experiencing severe buck teeth problems, do not hesitate to seek advice from a professional dentist. They will assess the specific condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment method.
If you have any questions about severe buck teeth or other dental problems, do not hesitate to send your questions via the 'ASK A QUESTION' section on our website. Our experts will be ready to answer all your questions.
You can also test your dental knowledge by taking the 'DENTAL QUIZ' game on the website. It's a fun way to learn more about dental health and find out things you might not know.
