5 Ways to Fix a Snaggle Tooth

Key Takeaways

• A snaggle tooth is a single misaligned tooth that stands out of place when compared to your other teeth
• It can be a troublesome cosmetic issue
• It can also obstruct brushing and flossing
• You can realign a snaggle tooth with braces, clear aligners, and other treatments
• If you’re concerned about a misaligned tooth, talk to your dentist

What is a Snaggle Tooth?

A snaggle tooth is an irregular or out-of-alignment tooth that stands out from the rest of your teeth. Depending on the shape and angle of a snaggle tooth, brushing and flossing in the area may be difficult.

However, even if these teeth aren’t posing any oral health concerns, you may consider them a cosmetic flaw. If most of your teeth are well-aligned and a few are out of place, you have some options for aligning them, such as braces and clear aligners.

What Issues Can Snaggle Teeth Cause?

A snaggle tooth may be nothing more than a cosmetic issue. But depending on the shape, angle, and location of the tooth, it could cause more serious problems if left untreated.

When a snaggle tooth overlaps with another tooth, it can be difficult to keep it clean and healthy with brushing and flossing. Bacteria builds up in the area, forming plaque and contributing to tooth decay or gum disease.

If your snaggle tooth results from overcrowding or a gap from a missing tooth, the tooth could continue to drift over time. Your other teeth could begin to move out of place as well. If you have trouble cleaning the area around a misaligned tooth or have any concerns, you should see your dentist for an evaluation.

Common Causes of a Snaggle Tooth

Several issues can cause a snaggle tooth, such as:

• Overcrowded teeth, which may or may not result from impacted wisdom teeth
• Thumb sucking during childhood
• Early loss of a baby tooth, which alters the eruption of the underlying permanent tooth
• Poor or changing tongue posture, which can change the alignment of teeth
• Bruxism (teeth grinding), which can push teeth out of place over time

Depending on the cause, the snaggle tooth itself may not be the only abnormality that needs to be corrected. In other cases, it is a mild deviation that can be treated on its own.

5 Ways to Fix a Snaggle Tooth

1. Braces

Braces work by putting pressure on your teeth with brackets and wires to bring out-of-place teeth into proper alignment.

Braces may need to be worn for only a few months or over two years, depending on a person’s needs. After the braces are removed, you’ll need to wear a retainer indefinitely to help stabilize your teeth.

Cost

Braces can cost anywhere from $4,000 to over $10,000, depending on the type of braces, your needs, and where you live. Lingual braces, which run along the back of your teeth, are likely to cost more than traditional braces.

The cost of braces may also vary depending on the type of braces. These include:

Types of Braces	Cost
Traditional metal braces	$3,000 to $7,000
Ceramic braces	$4,000 to $8,000
Lingual braces	$5,000 to $10,000
Self-ligating braces	$3,000 to $7,000

Dental insurance may partially or fully cover braces if they’re considered medically necessary.

2. Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are transparent plastic trays fitted to your teeth. They’re a common alternative to braces when the misalignment isn’t as severe. There are several brands of clear aligners, and they vary in quality.

Cost

Depending on the brand and your location, clear aligners can cost between $1,000 to $8,000. It’s possible that this cost may be paid in part or in full by your insurance.

3. Veneers

A dental veneer is a layer of porcelain or composite resin placed over a tooth. It can help protect a tooth and give it a more esthetic color and shape.

Cost

One veneer can cost as little as $500 or several thousand dollars, depending on the type of veneer you’re getting. These include

Type of Veneer	Cost
Porcelain Veneers	$925 to $2,500 per tooth
Composite Veneers	$250 to $1,500 per tooth
Lumineers	$800 to $2,000 per tooth
Removable Veneers (Temporary Veneers)	300 or more (per arch)

Insurance isn’t likely to cover veneers.

4. Tooth Contouring

Tooth contouring involves shaving a small amount of enamel off the tooth. If your snaggle tooth only protrudes a little bit, tooth contouring may be an option.

Cost

Tooth contouring could cost anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars. Insurance may cover it in cases of injury where it’s considered a necessary procedure.

5. Tooth Extraction

Only very severe cases of single misaligned teeth will require extraction and replacement.

This may require replacing the extracted tooth with a single-tooth denture or dental implant.

Cost

Tooth extraction on its own may cost between $65 to $370 dollars. A single-tooth denture may be an additional several hundred dollars.

On the other hand, an implant to replace one tooth can cost between $3,000 to $4,000. Insurance may cover a single-tooth denture but isn’t likely to cover the full cost of an implant.