What Can Cause Crooked Teeth and How Can I Straighten Them?
Crooked teeth, also known as malocclusion, refer to a misalignment of the teeth or jaw. This condition can cause a number of dental and health problems, from difficulty chewing and speaking, increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease, up to jaw pain and headaches.
Crooked teeth can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, injury, or even thumb-sucking. Some people are simply born with a smaller jaw, which can result in crowding of the teeth and misalignment.
Crowded or overlapping teeth can make it difficult to clean between the teeth, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Crowded teeth can lead to tooth wear and breakage, as well as jaw pain and headaches.
Crooked teeth can also affect one’s appearance and self-esteem, making them self-conscious about smiling or speaking in public. In some cases, crooked teeth can also affect speech.
You may be wondering how to straighten your teeth.
We provide a variety of crooked teeth treatments and preventative options such as:
- Orthodontics to straighten the teeth and align the jaw. These include traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, lingual braces (which are placed behind the teeth), and clear aligners such as Invisalign.
The length of treatment can vary, depending on the severity of the misalignment and the age of the patient. Children and adolescents typically respond faster to orthodontic treatment than adults, as the jaw is still growing and more receptive to change.
In addition, there are other options for straightening crooked teeth including:
Tooth reshaping and veneers
- Tooth reshaping involves removing small amounts of tooth enamel to alter the shape of the teeth.
- Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or resin that are bonded to the front of the teeth.
