A snaggletooth is a tooth that has grown out of alignment, resulting in an uneven and jagged appearance. It often can be found next to the front incisors, although it can occur anywhere in the mouth.
How to fix a snaggletooth? A snaggletooth does not always require medical treatment but often its aesthetics are the primary concern for people who wish to adjust it. Nevertheless, snaggletooth does have an impact on one’s oral health and may lead to misalignment in other teeth if left untreated.
What Causes Snaggletooth?
Overcrowding
Overcrowding in the mouth, caused by a variety of factors such as tooth misalignment or extra teeth, is one of the leading causes of snaggletooth.
This can be especially true early in life when adult teeth are pushing against the overcrowded baby teeth in a competition for space.
Overly Large Teeth for the Jawbone
When the size of the teeth exceeds the size of the jawbone, it can cause a snaggletooth.
This condition is often accompanied by gaps in between each tooth that is difficult to clean and floss, resulting in an increased risk of decay.
Primary Teeth are Lost too Early
Primary teeth are incredibly important as they lay the foundation for permanent teeth to develop in later years.
Unfortunately, when primary teeth are lost too early due to issues such as dental caries, trauma or genetic conditions, this can have serious long-term consequences and can cause snaggletooth.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is an uncontrollable, unconscious habit that can cause a variety of dental issues, including snaggleteeth.
Excessive teeth grinding can wear away the enamel from the corners of teeth and leaves them weaker and prone to misalignment.
Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is a common habit for many children, but it can cause a lifetime of dental consequences.
Long-term thumb sucking can cause changes to both the shape and growth rate of baby teeth and adult teeth coming in which can lead to overcrowding and eventually misalignment.
Can Snaggletooth Cause Oral Health Issues?
If left untreated some of the common problems associated with snaggletooth include gum recession due to misalignment, a periodontal disease caused by difficult-to-clean areas between teeth and gums, difficulty speaking clearly, and discomfort in the jaw and teeth area.
Patients with the condition may also experience speech deficits associated with nerve damage and chronic pain from the misaligned jaw joint.
In addition to these physical consequences of snaggletooth, there can be psychological issues such as low self-esteem and decreased confidence associated with this condition which affects overall well-being.
See our article: Snaggle Tooth Before and After.
How to Fix a Snaggletooth?
There are several ways that snaggletooth can be treated and with a proper care plan from your dentist, the issue can be fully resolved.
Braces
Braces can be an effective way to improve the appearance of snaggletooth.
Braces work by shifting teeth into a better alignment. Braces put pressure on your teeth, shifting them into the proper position.
Depending on the severity of the issue, visiting an orthodontist may be needed to properly assess whether the use of braces is an appropriate course of action for correcting it.
Aligners
Aligners are an excellent solution for individuals seeking to fix their snaggletooth. They are discreet and efficient in solving dental issues. Using a careful combination of clear custom-fit aligners, and gradual shifts to reposition the teeth, snaggletooth can be fixed quickly and easily without any extensive dental procedures.
Depending on the severity of the issue at hand, it is possible to treat the issue with aligners in as little as three months or even more quickly for basic cases.
This treatment has become more popular due to its convenience and minimal discomfort, as well as being a more cost-effective alternative to surgical orthodontic treatment.
See our reviews of the best invisible aligners
Byte Review – The top pick this aligner is the most affordable and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Included in each purchase is a free HyperBite and retainer.
NewSmile Review – This low-cost option has premium aesthetics and comes with a free teeth whitening kit and retainer.
SmileDirectClub Review – The most popular option that has a lifetime guarantee and a free one-time replacement policy.
Candid Review – Very similar to Invisalign aligners and offering a hybrid in-office care procedure this product has received a lot of positive reviews.
ALIGNERCO – Lowest in price and a zero deposit monthly payment plan. A seasonal discount package is available for only $945.
Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a great way to fix misaligned teeth without needing surgery or invasive treatments.
Veneers are thin shells that are custom-made for each patient and applied to cover up the snaggletooth, creating a natural-looking smile that restores confidence.
Veneers also provide excellent protection against bacteria, plaque, and staining, which means having them installed will also help maintain good oral health.
See our article: Cheaper Option to Veneers.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces use titanium brackets bonded directly to the back of each tooth and are used to move them into their correct position. While it can take longer than traditional braces since they are harder to adjust, in most cases, lingual braces perform just as effectively as traditional options, if not better.
Also, because of their positioning, lingual braces limit food traps that can result from conventional treatments with wires and brackets on the front of your teeth.
Related post: Quickest Way to Straighten Teeth.
Implants
Implants are titanium posts surgically placed into the jaw bone to support a prosthetic crown, which will fill the space left by your missing tooth.
To prepare for an implant, your dentist will first examine your mouth and consider other factors such as whether you have jawbone disease or gum disease before counseling you on the best treatment option for your unique situation.
Implants are normally a two-step process with the first being surgery to attach the implant and the second a consultation once healing has occurred to attach an artificial tooth.
Tooth Contouring
This is a minimally invasive, cost-effective, and safe way to correct minor aesthetic issues with the teeth including snaggletooth.
This procedure involves using a fine drill and laser to gently remove small amounts of enamel from the tooth surface. Trained cosmetic dentists carefully remove tiny portions of the affected tooth or teeth until they come in line with the desired shape and look of your smile line.
Dental Arch Adjustment
An orthodontist will reshape a patient’s arches so that the teeth become properly aligned and avoid pressing against one another, resulting in gaps and other irregularities of their bite. With this adjustment, your teeth will again begin to fit snugly together and your snaggle tooth will no longer be visible.
An arch adjustment is an effective way to alter the shape of your jaw and teeth so that the gap from a snaggletooth is eliminated without extracting any permanent teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you Fix Snaggletooth at home?
An article on Byte.com explains that the best way to fix snaggletooth at home is to use doctor-monitored at-home aligners which is the most affordable option to correct minor to moderate snaggletooth.
How can you Fix Snaggletooth Without Braces?
Alternative treatments for wearing braces to resolve snaggletooth issues include invisible aligners, enamel reshaping, bonding, veneers, or bridges.
All of these can help to restructure the tooth architecture and improve its aesthetic look.
How Long Does it Take to Fix Snaggletooth?
It all depends on the severity of the snaggletooth. Generally speaking, if the issue is minor and only affects one tooth a simple procedure such as bonding or veneers can be done in one office visit.
If the snaggletooth is more severe or affects multiple teeth, additional treatments may need to be completed over multiple appointments, such as braces, aligners or other orthodontic treatments such as crowns or bridges.
