Do you have crooked teeth? You're not alone! Crooked teeth are a common orthodontic problem that people struggle with worldwide. While many people live with their teeth as they are, others find that they negatively impact their self-esteem and, in some cases, the overall function of their teeth. If you struggle with crooked teeth, the good news is that you don't have to live with them. Several successful orthodontic treatments can correct crooked teeth and provide you with the smile you've always dreamed of.
Today, we'll discuss why and how crooked teeth develop, the risks they pose, and how you can deal with them and get them fixed.
Crooked teeth are a prevalent condition. Also known as malocclusion, crooked teeth are misaligned teeth that often don't fit well on the jawbone, causing a number of issues. Crooked teeth misalign in different ways, with some twisting, overlapping, or not aligning with the dental arch. Here are some of the most common ways teeth misalign:
Overlapping teeth either push up against each other, forcing one forward and overlapping the other. Or, the position of one tooth on the jawbone is more forward than another, causing them to overlap
Crooked teeth sometimes rotate or twist, causing them to change direction, leading to an uneven appearance
Crowding teeth refers to when there isn't enough space on the jawbone for the teeth, forcing them together
The space between teeth can also contribute to crookedness, as some teeth might shift to fill the open space
There are a number of reasons why people develop crooked teeth. Both baby and adult teeth can come out crooked or become crooked with time. One of the reasons why baby teeth shift is that the tooth is too small for the space it's in. Thankfully, when the adult teeth come through, this may be corrected. Habits like sucking a pacifier can also cause baby teeth to shift.
For adult teeth, trauma and tooth decay are among the common reasons why teeth shift. That, and some hereditary or genetic issues, also play a role. Usually, crooked teeth start from a young age when the teeth are still coming through and are impressionable. Here are some causes of crooked teeth:
Sometimes dental issues are simply unavoidable because of your genetics. It's the same reason why some people get fillings more often than others while practising the same good oral hygiene. Their genetics play a role in their teeth's strength, position, size, and development.
Jaw size can also be a significant contributing factor to crooked teeth. If your jaw is too small, you may struggle with crowded teeth because of the limited space. This means the teeth may push up against each other or even overlap. On the other hand, if your teeth are too small for your mouth, the excess space could also allow them to shift because they have more space to move.
If your wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning they are growing anyway but straight up, they could also cause your teeth to become crooked. This is particularly for horizontally impacted wisdom teeth, which are when your wisdom teeth are being pushed towards your back teeth from one or both sides. As they continue to push, they could force your other teeth together. The best solution for this is simply to have your wisdom teeth removed.
If you're in an accident that results in trauma to your face, which knocks your jaw out of alignment, this could cause your teeth to grow incorrectly, resulting in them becoming crooked.
What you put into your mouth significantly influences the health and development of your teeth, especially from a young age. Malnutrition can cause general health problems and issues with your oral health, which could interfere with the development of your teeth and potentially cause crooked teeth.
Baby teeth hold the place for your adult teeth before they come out. Unfortunately, if your baby teeth fall out prematurely, the underlying teeth could push through to fill the leftover space too soon, causing them to shift and become crooked.
Oral hygiene is about more than making your breath smell good. A good oral hygiene routine keeps the mouth free from bacteria that could cause plaque and tartar buildup, which over time can weaken your teeth, causing cavities and other issues like tooth decay. As your teeth decay, they could leave gaps for other teeth to move into, causing crooked teeth.
Many people live with crooked teeth and are unfazed by them. At the same time, others find that their teeth can impact their self-esteem and make it difficult for them to chew certain foods. Here are some of the risks of leaving crooked teeth untreated:
Crooked teeth, especially those that overlap, can be difficult to clean, putting you at the risk of developing periodontal disease, a gum disease that could damage both your teeth and jawbone
Crooked teeth can make chewing difficult
When your teeth are crooked, they could increase the wear and tear on your teeth, gums, and jaw muscles. This could cause your teeth to crack, chip, or your jaw to strain
In some cases, crooked teeth could be so misaligned that they affect the way you say certain words, having a direct impact on your speech
This is completely up to you. If your teeth are slightly crooked, then wearing something like Invisalign might help realign them easily without a more extensive treatment. However, if you're happy with your teeth, then live as you have been. On the other hand, if your teeth are crooked to the point where they put you at risk of some of the issues above, you might want to get them sorted.
So, what are your options? There are orthodontic treatment options that can be used to correct crooked or misaligned teeth. Braces are a good option for most people if their teeth and gums are strong enough to hold them. For children, braces are usually recommended because their teeth are still malleable, meaning they can easily be guided into alignment. But, there are also a number of other promising treatments for crooked teeth, such as:
Fixed metal braces that are attached to the jaw with an archwire and elastic are a good option as they guide the teeth back into alignment over time. While they may not be the fastest solution, with the treatment process being around 2 to 3 years, braces are one of the most successful treatments used for misaligned teeth. They are expensive,e and they do require consistent tuning as the treatment progresses to ensure that it's effective.
Learn more about braces treatment options at our Melbourne clinic.
Invisalign uses the same concept as braces, but it's less invasive and more convenient to use. Where braces need to be physically attached to your jaw and are permanently on for the course of the treatment, Invisaligns aren't. Invisalign treatment uses invisible aligners designed to fit your jaw perfectly and around your teeth for each step of the treatment. Made from a composite resin, these aligners would gently guide your teeth into the right position, with a new aligner for each phase of the treatment.
Learn more about Invisalign treatment options at our Melbourne clinic.
If you want a bit of a quicker alternative, then you may want to consider veneers. A veneer is a thin layer of either porcelain or a composite resin that's laid over the front or back of your tooth, reshaping it and hiding any flaws. Porcelain veneers can make your misaligned teeth appear straight. When veneers are put in, the dentist has to grind off a bit of enamel to provide a surface for the adhesive to stick.
Veneers are also durable and stain-resistant. You can expect them to last you over ten years easily with good oral hygiene.
Learn more about veneer treatment options at our Melbourne clinic.
Crowns are a step up from veneers. They are usually made from the same material and even follow a similar treatment process. Their main difference, however, is that they cover the whole tooth like a cap. To get the tooth to an ideal shape and size for the cap to be placed on, the dentist may need to file down the tooth slightly. Like veneers, caps also last a long time, and they don't stain very easily, making them a decent treatment to consider for crooked teeth.
Learn more about dental crown treatment options at our Melbourne clinic.
Bonding is also a quick option. Dental bonding involves using a resin to build up or reshape your crooked teeth, making them appear straighter. The resin is designed to mimic the colour of your natural teeth, and what's better, you could be in and out of there within an hour, depending on how many teeth need bonding.
Learn more about dental bonding treatment options at our Melbourne clinic.
If you've spent much of your life with crooked teeth and you notice that their condition is getting worse, then don't allow the situation to progress. Consult a dentist as soon as possible to get advice on what your options are and how you can fix your crooked teeth. Learn more about how to fix crooked teeth at our Melbourne CBD clinic today!
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