Definition
Protruding teeth usually refer to the upper central incisors and happens when the upper jaw falls forward from the lower jaw. In very severe cases, the lower lip might hang behind the upper front teeth and cause further problems by pushing the front teeth forward even more. Protruding teeth are not only unattractive. Because they protrude, they are prone to damage and breakage. It can also damage the gingival because the teeth on the bottom push up onto the gingiva on the inside of the top teeth. The teeth become worn unevenly because the bite is off and there is malocclusion.
Causes
Protruding teeth are usually caused by genetic factors. Things like thumb or finger sucking can protrude the front teeth as well. If it is caused by genetic factors, the lower jaw tends to be smaller than it should be so that the lower front teeth fall far behind the upper front teeth. The lower jaw can be proportional to the face but the upper jaw bone (the maxilla) can be enlarged in proportion to the rest of the face.
Symptoms of Protruding Teeth
As mentioned, the upper central incisors are prone to injury and can easily be chipped or cracked. Chewing can be difficult and messy. With abnormal chewing, there can be pain in the joint that controls chewing, the temporomandibular joint. This can lead to degradation or arthritis of the of the TMJ joint. Protruding teeth can lead to abnormal speech, similar to a lisp.
Complications of Protruding Teeth
The biggest complication of protruding includes the development of broken or chipped teeth and the development of temporomandibular joint destruction. Any type abnormal bite or abnormal chewing can put a strain on the TMJ and can begin to wear away the cartilage of the joint itself. This causes pain in the joint and a situation where bone can rub on bone. This can severely hurt and may mean that the joint needs to be replaced with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic.
Prevention of Protruding Teeth
Most protruding teeth are not preventable because it is something you were born to have. In other cases, the parent needs to stop the child from sucking on a pacifier, sucking their thumb or sucking their fingers.
Treatment of Protruding Teeth
Protruding teeth are treatable. The first part of the treatment includes lengthening the lower jaw so it matches better with the upper jaw. This might be done through dental appliances or through surgery that fractures the mandible, lengthens it and uses plates to keep it longer than it originally was. Then the person wears orthodontic devices—braces—in order to align the bite perfectly. This might mean wearing braces for 2-5 years so the lower jaw has a chance to heal and the teeth have a chance to complete a normal bite.