Simply put, if there’s not enough room in your gums for your teeth, they can grow crooked, overlapped, and may not be able to reach their correct position.
This is one of the most common issues we see, but even minor crowding can lead to long term issues such as decay, discolouration, and gum disease due to the fact that it’s harder to properly clean your teeth.
Why do I have crooked/crowded teeth?
If you have crowded teeth then it’s probably because of the size and shape of the jaw you inherited, but there are some additional factors that can cause or exaggerate the problem:
- Thumb sucking when younger
- Tongue thrusting
- Cleft lip/palate
- Injury
How do you correct crooked/crowded teeth?
Children and Adolescents
Braces are a great solution in most cases, gently guiding the teeth into the correct position as they grow. Modern braces are much more comfortable than when your parents were your age, and there are also fun choices such as coloured braces to personalise them.
If the issue is related to the shape or size of the jaw, then a different solution may be required such as a palate expander.
Adults
In less common, more severe cases, tooth extraction may be required, but for the majority discreet solutions such as invisible braces or clear aligners will be able to guide your teeth into the correct position.
What now?
With a range of options available, it’s crucial to have your teeth looked at by a fully trained Orthodontist, who will then run through these options, with their pros and cons in detail with you.
We can also take you through the treatment plan step by step so that you know exactly what’s involved, how long it will last, and how it will give you the smile you deserve.
All orthodontic treatments require regular supervision to make sure the chosen plan is working, and to adjust any alignment device you’re using, whether that’s braces or clear aligners or any other system.
Be wary of mail-order products, as these don’t provide the same level of care as seeing your orthodontist in person, and they can lead to a poor end result, longer treatment times, and in some cases damage or loosening of the teeth.