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Updated on July 5, 2023
8 min read

Crowded Teeth: Causes, Treatment & Risks

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What is Dental Crowding (Crowded Teeth)?

Crowded teeth happen when there is not enough space in the mouth for permanent teeth to grow in straight. This can also be called "overcrowding" or "dental crowding."

People with this form of malocclusion (misalignment) have crooked teeth that overlap each other.

crowded teeth scaled 1

Overcrowding can be mild, moderate, or severe. The patient’s jaw size and how many teeth they have determines the severity.

  • Mild Crowding — when one anterior tooth in the upper or lower jaw is slightly rotated.
  • Moderate Crowding — when two to three anterior teeth overlap in the upper or lower jaw.
  • Severe Crowding — when most anterior teeth in the upper or lower jaw overlap. 

Summary

Crowded teeth can be mild, moderate, or severe. This form of misalignment occurs when some teeth overlap in the mouth.

Clear aligners can save you thousands of dollars compared to braces. Learn about clear aligners.

What Causes Crowded Teeth?

The cause of dental crowding can be due to a variety of factors, including:

  • If teeth are larger than the jaw (genetics), the teeth do not fit correctly and tend to overlap or twist. 
  • Some people are born with a smaller jaw (genetics), which can result in dental crowding as permanent teeth grow in.
  • If you lose a primary tooth too early, other teeth can move into the empty space.
  • If permanent teeth do not erupt properly due to over-retained baby teeth. This is when teeth loosen but then tighten back into the gums, preventing the eruption of permanent teeth. Not removing them commonly results in dental crowding.

Summary

The primary causes of teeth crowding include teeth larger than the jaw or a jaw that is too small. Losing baby teeth too early can also cause dental crowding.

Do Impacted Wisdom Teeth Cause Front Teeth Crowding?

An impacted tooth is when a tooth is stuck under the gums and blocked by other teeth.

Many people believe this can cause dental crowding. However, no research suggests that impacted wisdom teeth cause crowding.

The force from wisdom teeth is not strong enough to make the front teeth crooked. Over time, everyone's teeth become more crooked, whether they have wisdom teeth or not.

The only way to prevent misalignment after orthodontic treatment is to wear retainers to hold the teeth in place.

Summary

Impacted wisdom teeth do not cause front teeth crowding.

We recommend at-home clear aligners if you have mild teeth misalignment. View our top recommendations.

How to Fix Crowded Teeth

The type of treatment depends on the patient’s age and the type of dental crowding.

How Do Braces Work For Crowded Teeth?

Dental braces are the most common treatment option for overcrowding, especially in children. People get braces for both aesthetic and functional reasons (not only to correct smiles but also to realign the jaws).

There are a few different types of braces to choose from, including:

metal bracesNewMouth

A patient visits their orthodontist every four to eight weeks until they remove the braces. They are left on for 18 months to three years.

Does Invisalign Work For Crowded Teeth?

Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are a type of orthodontic treatment that corrects crowded teeth and other forms of misalignment. They're a virtually invisible alternative to braces.

In-office treatment (Invisalign) costs about the same as braces.

Direct to consumer clear aligners cost less than Invisalign. Read our review of the best teeth straightening kits.

Treatment consists of a series of removable aligners, and you must replace them every two weeks. Patients wear the aligners for about 22 hours each day for about 20 weeks to correct your misalignment.

Types of Clear Aligner Treatments

There are multiple types of clear aligner treatments. These include

  • In-office treatment, such as Invisalign, requires you to visit your orthodontist frequently.
  • Hybrid models, such as Candid, require you to visit an orthodontist at the beginning of treatment, then your treatment is monitored remotely.
  • Fully remote treatment, like Byte's, never requires you to visit an orthodontist. You order an impression kit online, and all of your treatment is done remotely.

Can Veneers Fix Crowded Teeth?

Dental veneers can be used to treat moderate cases of dental crowding in adults. They are thin, customized shells of tooth-colored materials that fit over the front of teeth to improve their appearance.


A dentist bonds the shells to your teeth to change the following in your teeth:

  • Length
  • Size
  • Color
  • Shape
  • Function

Veneers are more expensive than braces and clear aligners but require fewer office visits. In more severe cases, veneers might be placed after orthodontic treatment.

veneer NewMouth

Can a Retainer Fix Crowded Teeth?

Fixed and removable retainers provide the necessary pressure to move slightly crowded teeth. They can't straighten a patient's teeth (only braces and clear aligners can do this).

Orthodontists don't recommend using retainers to fix moderate to severe dental crowding.

Dentofacial Orthopedics For Teeth Crowding

Extreme dental crowding may require dentofacial orthopedics. Orthopedics focuses on guiding facial bone growth and aligning teeth properly in the process.

Common orthopedic appliances include headgear and palatal expanders.

Is it Possible to Fix Crowded Teeth at Home?

It's not possible to fix crowded teeth at home on your own. You must invest in treatment, such as braces, clear aligners, or veneers to fix your teeth safely and effectively.

If you decide to get clear aligners, you will receive a new set of aligners every few weeks. This treatment is completed at home, and you will visit your orthodontist (in-office or virtually) for regular check-ups throughout the treatment process.

Read how to straighten your teeth at home without braces.

Summary

You can fix crowded teeth with braces, Invisalign, or at-home aligners (minor cases). Retainers, dentofacial orthopedics, and veneers can also correct some cases of dental crowding.

Interested in straightening your teeth at home? Here are the best clear aligner companies.

How to Prevent Dental Crowding

While dental crowding usually results from genetic factors, it can still be prevented. You can prevent crowded teeth by:

  • Regular check-ups — Regular visits to the dentist will help prevent dental crowding. Your dentist can identify early signs of crowding or misalignment and provide appropriate guidance.
  • Avoid unusual pressure — Unusual pressure on the teeth (such as thumbsucking and pacifier use in babies) can result in dental crowding. It's best to avoid these prevent crowded teeth.
  • Address dental trauma — If you or your child experiences dental trauma, seek immediate dental care. These injuries may result in crowded teeth if not addressed immediately.
  • Retainers — People who have completed orthodontic treatment must wear their retainers to prevent their teeth from shifting and becoming crowded again.

Risk Factors of Untreated Dental Crowding

Ignoring dental crowding can invite multiple risks. Straight teeth do more than enhance your smile; they make it easier to maintain oral hygiene.

It's also easier to clean, brush, and floss between straight teeth, which leads to better oral hygiene. As such, straight teeth are less likely to develop cavities and other oral infections.

Here are some of the risks associated with moderate to severe teeth crowding:

  • Increased risk of tooth decay and cavities
  • Gum disease
  • Jaw pain
  • Difficulty speaking and eating
  • Changes in facial appearance
  • Increased risk of traumatic injury to the teeth or gums 

Summary

Aside from aesthetics, straight teeth have various health advantages. They're easier to clean, so finding ways to fix crowded teeth is best.

Crowded Teeth FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions about dental crowding:

What causes overcrowding of teeth?

Genetics are a common cause of overcrowded teeth. If you have large teeth or a small jaw, it can result in crowding of the teeth. Losing primary teeth too early or too late are also top causes of crowded teeth.

What is mild crowding?

Mild crowding is when only one tooth is slightly rotated due to overcrowding.

Is it okay to have slightly crooked teeth?

Many people live a happy and healthy life with mild crowding. However, in addition to improving your appearance and self-esteem, straight teeth have many oral health benefits and make it less likely for you to develop cavities and other oral health conditions.

Can overcrowded teeth cause pain?

Yes, overcrowded teeth can cause pain in your mouth and jaw. It can also result in headaches.

Do crowded teeth get worse?

In most cases yes, crowded teeth get worse with age. Though it varies from patient to patient, nearly all cases of crowded teeth get worse with age and can lead to more oral health complications as you get older.

Can overcrowding teeth be fixed?

Yes, in fact you should seek treatment as early as possible. Clear aligners, braces, veneers, palatal expanders, and orthopedic headgear are all common treatment options.

How do you treat crowded teeth?

It depends on the patient's age and the severity of their case, but tooth extractions, clear aligners, braces, veneers, palatal expanders, and orthopedic headgear are all common treatment options.

What type of braces work the fastest?

Byte's exclusive HyperByte® aligner technology accelerates your treatment 2x faster than any other aligner company.

What is the cheapest you can get braces for?

Clear aligners are typically cheaper and just as safe and effective as braces. Many cost less than $2,000 for full treatment and some are covered by your health care plan.

Can crowded teeth be fixed without braces?

Yes, clear aligners, veneers, palatal expanders, tooth extractions, and orthopedic headgear are all alternatives to braces that can fix crowded teeth.

How long do you need braces for crowding?

It depends on the severity of your condition as well as the type of braces used. For clear aligners, results typically take 6 to 18 months. For metal braces, treatment usually takes 18 to 24 months.

How do I fix my bottom teeth crowding?

Braces, clear aligners, veneers, palatal expanders, tooth extractions, and orthopedic headgear are all possible treatments for bottom teeth crowding.

Will removing teeth help with overcrowding?

Sometimes removing teeth will help with overcrowding. It depends on the severity of your crowding, as well as the size and shape of your teeth and jaw.

What’s Next?

The most popular at-home clear aligner kits can be found right here:

Learn about the different brands and what they offer.

Last updated on July 5, 2023
6 Sources Cited
Last updated on July 5, 2023
All NewMouth content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to ensure the information is factual, current, and relevant.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
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