1. Vampire Teeth
The cuspids are those teeth on each side that are the third down from the two front teeth. These teeth are in the same place where a dog's fangs are located. Vampires have sharpened cuspids with which to bite their victims. Cuspids are very important for every person to bite into tough food, such as steak and apples.
2. Birth Defects
Children born with a cleft palate may have impacted cuspids that require surgical remediation. Other birth defects or congenital problems can also be addressed with surgery. The cuspid is removed by the root and a bridge or implant is set back in place. Sometimes jaw surgery to reshape the bone is necessary when the disease has farther-reaching implications to the jaw movement and the appearance of the patient.
3. Braces may be Needed
Since the cuspids are often the longest teeth in the mouth, they are more pronounced when the front teeth are crooked and pushing them back or forward. Braces can help to straighten the cuspids, along with the rest of the teeth. Following the removal of the braces, the cuspids may be especially elongated and need to be filed down to a more range. Filing also can be done on cuspids that have grown so long that they hang over a person's lips. A resin composite or a ceramic cap can be put on top of the shaved tooth to help it fit in with the look of the other teeth and to cover any exposed nerves from the filing procedure.
4. Grinding in the Night
Many people show the stress they are under by grinding their teeth in their sleep. This habit can have a debilitating affect on the cuspids, making eating and biting more difficult as well as weakening the teeth. Breakage occurs when eating something relatively soft if grinding has loosened the cuspids. Get fitted with a mouthpiece for sleeping or seek counseling to deal with your stress. Practice meditation or other calming tactics before going to bed, and you may not need any treatment.
5. Got You Covered
Although they are not as important to survival as they once were when we ate all our food raw or fresh off the bone, losing a cuspid requires bridge or cap work since they are so dominant in your smile. The bicuspids sit beside the first cuspid. Since the cuspid and bicuspid teeth are so important to overall health, a dentist often can justify cosmetic work to an insurance company based on healthy eating patterns.
