Teeth Straightening
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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.
Overcrowding can be mild, moderate, or severe. The patient’s jaw size and how many teeth they have determines the severity.
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.
The cause of dental crowding can be due to a variety of factors, including:
Summary
The primary causes of teeth crowding include having teeth that are larger than the jaw or a jaw that is too small. Losing baby teeth too early can also cause dental 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, there isn’t any research that suggests 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.
The type of treatment depends on the patient’s age and the type of dental crowding.
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:
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.
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are a type of orthodontic treatment that corrects crowded teeth and other forms of misalignment. They are 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.
There are multiple types of clear aligner treatments. These include
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:
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.
Fixed and removable retainers provide the necessary pressure to move slightly crowded teeth. They are not capable of straightening a patient's teeth (only braces and clear aligners can do this).
Orthodontists do not recommend using retainers to fix moderate to severe dental 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.
It is 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.
Not only do straight teeth improve your appearance and self-esteem, but they also have oral health benefits. Straight teeth are easier to clean, brush, and floss between, which leads to better oral hygiene. Straight teeth are less likely to develop cavities and other oral infections.
If you have moderate to severe teeth crowding, you are more likely to develop tooth decay and gum disease. This is because teeth that overlap are more difficult to clean on a daily basis.
Poor oral hygiene can also lead to general health complications over time, such as a weakened immune system and heart disease (rare).
Summary
Crowded teeth are more prone to decay and gum disease because they are more difficult to brush and floss between.
Interested in straightening your teeth at home? Here are the best clear aligner companies.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about dental crowding:
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.
Mild crowding is when only one tooth is slightly rotated due to overcrowding.
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.
Yes, overcrowded teeth can cause pain in your mouth and jaw. It can also result in headaches.
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.
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.
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.
Byte's exclusive HyperByte® aligner technology accelerates your treatment 2x faster than any other aligner company.
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.
Yes, clear aligners, veneers, palatal expanders, tooth extractions, and orthopedic headgear are all alternatives to braces that can fix crowded teeth.
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.
Braces, clear aligners, veneers, palatal expanders, tooth extractions, and orthopedic headgear are all possible treatments for bottom teeth crowding.
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.
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