How to Fix Crooked Teeth

What Causes Crooked Teeth?

Crooked teeth are not uncommon, but can make you feel self-conscious. You may have crooked teeth for a variety of reasons:

• Genetic predisposition
• Premature loss of baby teeth 
• Childhood habits like thumb sucking or using a pacifier
• Facial or oral injuries
• Poor dental hygiene

Teeth misalignment can occur at any age. When detected early, these issues can be easily resolved with treatments like braces, headgear, or clear aligners. Waiting to fix crooked teeth can lead to oral health issues like gum disease or cavities (because misaligned teeth are more difficult to clean).

Jaw pain, headaches, and other problems can also occur if your teeth are severely misaligned.

Fortunately, if you have crooked teeth, there are many ways to fix and enhance your smile. And you don’t necessarily need braces to do it.

How to Fix Crooked Teeth With Braces (& Types)

Braces are one of the most well-known ways to fix crooked teeth — and there are three types of braces to choose from:

1. Traditional metal braces — traditional braces are made of high-grade stainless steel. The metal brackets attach to each tooth using an orthodontic glue. The brackets are attached together with a thin archwire that has tiny elastic ligatures. This structure puts pressure on your teeth, slowly moving them into the correct position.
2. Ceramic braces — ceramic braces are clear braces, also known as esthetic or porcelain braces. They’re the same shape and size as metal braces and work in the same way. The key difference is that they blend in with your natural tooth color, so they’re less noticeable. The main disadvantage is that they tend to be slightly more brittle than traditional metal braces.
3. Lingual braces — lingual braces attach to the back of your teeth (where your tongue hits when you speak). Traditional braces use a wire that is bent into a horseshoe form. However, the wire on lingual braces can be custom fixed to the contours of your mouth. This process can potentially shorten treatment time. You may have a temporary lisp or speech interference when you first start treatment.

Can You Straighten Teeth Without Braces (5 Ways)?

Yes, as long as your teeth aren't severely misaligned. Here are some alternative options:

Clear Aligners (Invisible Braces)

Clear aligners, also known as invisible braces (e.g., Invisalign, Byte, Candid, and SmileDirectClub), are removable plastic trays that fit over your teeth.

The clear trays are custom-made to gradually shift your teeth. Unlike traditional and ceramic braces that need to be tightened as your teeth move, these trays are replaced every one to two weeks.

While clear aligners are not necessarily as strong as traditional or ceramic braces, they are more aesthetically appealing to many people who don’t like the look of braces.

Another advantage of clear aligners is that they are removable and easy to clean (unlike brace). For best results, you have to wear the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours per day. 

At-Home Aligners vs. In-Office Aligners

There are two types of clear aligner options:

1. In-office aligners (like Invisalign) are the most well-known option because they have been around the longest. You have to visit a licensed Invisalign doctor to receive these aligners, and the treatment process is more extensive. These aligners are recommended for patients who have complex cases of teeth misalignment. 
2. At-home aligners, also called direct-to-consumer aligners, are significantly cheaper than in-office aligners. Treatment is completed 100% remotely and you will not visit a dentist or orthodontist for in-person checkups. Treatment is also not monitored as closely, so there is a slightly higher risk for error. 

Best Clear Aligner Brands

Invisalign is the most established in-office aligner brand. These FDA-approved aligners stand out in the industry because they are made of a patented thermoplastic material (called SmartTrack®). Invisalign claims this material is more comfortable, accurate, and discreet. 

Invisalign treatment is monitored in person. Your dental office acts as the ‘middleman,’ which means you’ll receive a higher standard of care. However, this also means the aligners will be more expensive than at-home options. 

Byte® is a popular at-home aligner brand that offers quick teeth straightening at an affordable price. Every byte customer receives a HyperByte®, which is an FDA-cleared dental movement acceleration device that safely straightens teeth faster with HFV (high-frequency vibration). You only have to wear it for 5 minutes a day (10 minutes a day for night aligners). Byte aligners cost under $2,000.

Candid Co is another well-known brand of remote aligners. This brand works exclusively with orthodontists who have at least 20 years of experience in the industry. This ensures you receive high-quality care from a professional.

Candid is also the most expensive at-home aligner brand ($2,400). However, they have excellent customer service and a detailed onboarding process. The digital check-ins are also more comprehensive than other at-home aligners.

Cosmetic Dentistry Options

Veneers, dental bonds, and crowns are three cosmetic dentistry options for mildly crooked teeth.

While these options don’t actually fix crooked teeth, they can enhance their appearance by making them look straight.

Veneers

Veneers are a simple aesthetic solution for crooked teeth. These composite or porcelain shells cover the front surface of teeth to make them look straight. Most types of veneers are expensive and permanent.

Dental Bonds

Veneers cover the entire front surface of a tooth, while bonds only cover a portion of a tooth. Bonding requires one office visit and is cost-effective, while veneers take two or more appointments. Bonds are also reversible.

Crowns

This procedure involves tooth restructuring, which is then followed by placing a porcelain or metal crown over the top of the tooth. Dental crowns are typically only used for restorative reasons (rarely for cosmetic purposes). 

Removable Veneers

Clip-on veneers are cheap, custom-made removable veneers. Snap-on Smile and Alpha Veneers are two of the most popular brands.

The Snap-On Smile process takes place at a dental office and typically costs $1,000 to $3,500 per arch. Some dentists may charge as low as $500 per arch.

'Occasional Wear Alpha Veneers' cost $299 for a single arch and $499 for both. 'Regular Wear Alpha Veneers' cost $549 for a single arch and $749 for a dual arch.

Alpha Veneers cost less because they are a direct-to-consumer company. Their treatment model is similar to that of at-home clear aligners like byte, Candid Co, and ALIGNERCO.

The first step is to order an impression kit online. After you take the impressions at home, you'll send them back to the company. Then your impression is sent to a dental lab, where technicians will create a custom-made set of veneers. These veneers are mailed back to you within a few weeks.

How Much Does it Cost to Fix Crooked Teeth?

The cost of fixing a crooked smile varies depending on the structure of your teeth and jawline, your dental health, and the orthodontic treatment you choose.

Your orthodontist can help decide which option is best for you:

• Braces — $2,500-$8,000
• Clear aligners and Retainers — $3,500-$8,000
• Porcelain Veneers — $925-$2,500 (per tooth)
• Composite Veneers — $250-$1,500 (per tooth)
• Removable Veneers — $470-$600 (for both upper and lower teeth impressions)
• Lumineers — $800-$2,000 (per tooth)
• Direct Composite Dental Bonding — $300-$600 (per tooth)
• Direct Composite Veneer Bonding — $250-$1,500 (per tooth)
• Indirect Dental Bonding (Inlays) — $650-$1,200 (per tooth)
• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns — $875-$1,400 (per tooth)
• Ceramic (Porcelain) Crowns — $800-$3,000 (per tooth)
• Metal and Gold Crowns — $800-$1,400 (per tooth)
• Stainless Steel Crowns — $300-$500 (per tooth)
• All-Resin Crowns — $600-$1,300 (per tooth)

Crooked Teeth: Common Questions & Answers

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about crooked teeth: