Crooked teeth, or malocclusion, is where teeth are misaligned resulting in an uneven bite. It’s a very common dental issue and one Aesthetic Family Dentistry can address quickly and easily. If crowded teeth are affecting your smile, this post is for you!
What causes crowded teeth?
There are a number of causes for crowded teeth. They include having too many teeth for the size of mouth, different size of shape upper and lower jaw, early loss of baby teeth, poor quality dental restorations or just genetics. We can inherit crowded teeth just as we inherit eye or hair color. Sometimes it is just that simple.
Other causes of crowded teeth can include gingivitis (the second stage of gum disease), bruxism (jaw clenching), tumors, injury and even thumb sucking or extensive pacifier use as a child.
Problems caused by crowded teeth
Ignoring the aesthetic for a moment, crowded teeth can have an effect on dental health. Crooked teeth can make effective brushing or flossing difficult. They can make chewing food hard work, crowded teeth can even strain the teeth, jaw and muscles if they produce an irregular bite.
A misalignment of the jaw can cause overbite or underbite, which can be uncomfortable and make eating and chewing difficult. It can also lead to TMJ.
Back to the aesthetics, crowded teeth can severely impact one’s self confidence. Being self-conscious about your smile can affect your daily life, even your career. A smile is the primary indicator of happiness or acceptance, which has a very important role to play in everyday interactions.
Fortunately, there are a range of effective treatments for crowded teeth and Aesthetic Family Dentistry offers the very best of them.
Treatment of crowded teeth
As with any dental treatment at Aesthetic Family Dentistry, we begin by discussing the issue, a dental examination and by studying your medical history. Often, the cause is straightforward and we can move straight on to treatment.
Occasionally, diagnosis takes more time and needs a few more tests. Our dentists may take x-rays or photographs to help with the diagnosis. It’s something we will discuss with you at the time.
There are a range of non-invasive treatments for crowded teeth such as braces or aligners. These orthodontic appliances are designed specifically to fit into your mouth and slowly align your teeth into a regular pattern. They involve no surgery and can be very effective. Other surgical procedures are open to us if these treatments are ineffective. It’s something else we would discuss with you at the time.
If you have crowded teeth or want to revolutionize your smile, you’re in the right place. Schedule a consultation with Aesthetic Family Dentistry today and we can get started right away!
