Crooked, misaligned teeth are really typical. Lots of kids and adults have them. If your teeth are crooked, you shouldn’t feel like you need to straighten them. Teeth that aren’t perfectly lined up are distinct to you and can add personality and charm to your smile. However, if you’re dissatisfied with the method your teeth look, or if they’re causing health or speech issues, you can have them realigned.
What Causes Crooked Teeth?
Both baby teeth and permanent teeth can come in crooked, or they can become crooked. Baby teeth in some cases move into crooked positions due to the fact that they’re too small to fill the quantity of gum area allocated to them.
Prolonged habits, such as drawing on a pacifier or thumb, can also cause baby teeth to become pushed out or crooked. Heredity and genetics may likewise contribute.
Having crooked baby teeth doesn’t mean your child will have crooked permanent teeth. However, if baby teeth grow in crowded together, the permanent teeth might be crowded too.
If injury to the mouth or tooth decay causes several baby teeth to fall out faster than they would naturally, the permanent teeth that follow might grow out of the gums slanted rather than straight.
Other issues impacting baby teeth that can likewise impact permanent teeth consist of:
Jaw Size
The modern diet plan of soft, processed food that lots of people take in needs less chewing than the foods consumed by our early ancestors.
This change has changed our cumulative jaw size, making it smaller. Researchers believe that our evolved, shorter jaw might be accountable for crowded, crooked, and misaligned teeth.
Poor Myofunctional Habits
Myofunctional habits are repeated behaviors that impact the muscles or functions of the mouth or face. They consist of:
- thumb sucking
- pacifier or bottle use
- tongue thrusting
- mouth breathing
Malocclusion (misaligned jaw)
Your upper teeth are meant to fit slightly over your lower teeth, with the points of your upper molars fitting into the grooves of your lower molars. When this alignment doesn’t take place, malocclusion results.
Common misalignments consist of overbite and underbite. If you have an overbite, your upper front teeth protrude out further than your lower front teeth.
If you have an underbite, your lower front teeth jut out farther than your upper front teeth. Poor myofunctional habits can cause a malocclusion to take place.
Genetics and Heredity
If one or both of your parents had crowded or crooked teeth, it’s possible that you will, too. You may also acquire an overbite or underbite from your parents.
Poor Dental Care
Not having your teeth checked at least every year by a dentist can sometimes suggest that issues, such as gum disease and cavities, go untreated. This can cause crooked teeth and other dental health problems.
Poor Nutrition
Poor nutrition, particularly in children, can cause tooth decay and poor dental development, which are prospective precursors to crooked teeth.
Facial Injury
A hit to the face or mouth can knock teeth out of place, leading to several crooked teeth.
Issues Caused by Crooked Teeth
In some circumstances, crooked teeth can impact your quality of life. For example,.
misaligned teeth might impact your ability to chew, causing you pain every time you consume.
In addition, some people might feel so uncomfortable about their crooked teeth that they stop smiling or avoid social situations.
Other health issues that crooked teeth may cause consist of:
- Periodontal disease. It can be hard to clean in between crooked teeth. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. If left without treatment, gum disease can lead to periodontitis, a more serious infection that can damage bones and teeth.
- Chewing and food digestion. Crooked teeth can likewise interfere with proper chewing, which might cause food digestion issues.
- Excess wear. Crooked teeth can likewise cause excess wear and tear on the teeth, gums, and jaw muscles, leading to split teeth, jaw pressure, temporomandibular joint disorder, and persistent headaches.
- Speech troubles. If your teeth are misaligned, they can impact the way you articulate sound, causing problems with speech.
- Self-esteem. Misery with your physical appearance can lead to a lack of self-esteem and social avoidance.
Is it OK to Have Crooked Teeth?
Crooked teeth can be a cosmetic issue, a functional issue, or both.
If crooked teeth are only a cosmetic issue, it may be OK to leave them if hygiene is adequate and somebody is content with their smile.
If crooked teeth make an individual feel uncomfortable about their smile, they ought to be remedied due to the fact that self-confidence and confidence impact personal and work life.
If crooked teeth are causing issues with dental hygiene, tooth decay, gum problems, or chewing problems, it must be corrected with orthodontics to prevent long-term dental problems.
Leaving crooked teeth can lead to gum issues like bone or tissue loss and tooth decay. This increases the need for dental crowns and prosthetics.
Should Crooked Teeth be Straightened?
The choice to straighten crooked teeth is a personal one. For numerous, an absence of funds or dental health insurance might impact a choice to straighten teeth. Health issues may also factor into a decision.
If your crooked teeth make you feel uneasy, that may also be a reason to straighten them. But remember, imperfect teeth can be memorable and distinct.
Lots of models effectively flaunt their not-so-perfect teeth. In Japan, somewhat crooked canine teeth (yaeba) are a desired attribute believed to improve beauty, specifically in ladies.
What Are My Options for Straightening my Teeth?
If you’ve chosen that straightening your teeth is the ideal option for you, there are numerous alternatives you can talk about with a dentist or orthodontist.
Braces are a terrific option for people of any age, offered that their teeth and gums are strong enough to hold them. Braces might be an especially good choice for kids, who still have malleable, flexible gums and bone tissues.
Treatment can take anywhere between 2 to 3 years depending upon the kind of braces you choose, and what you need to have done. Teeth-straightening surgery is another option to consider, and generally takes less time to achieve desired results.
Keep reading to learn more about the various kinds of braces you can select from, along with surgical options.
Metal Braces
Repaired metal braces are connected to the teeth with brackets, bands, and flexible wire. These braces might be a much better option for somebody with more complex dental alignment issues.
Often, headgear is needed in addition to repaired braces. Headgear is normally only worn during the night.
Metal braces have come a long way considering that their early days. They now use smaller sized brackets and less metal. They’re likewise more comfortable than they utilized to be. They even feature multicolored rubber bands that you can choose to match your character.
According to Authority Dental, metal braces generally cost between $3,000 and $7,500 depending on the amount of work you need done, where you live, and whether you have an insurance coverage strategy that will assist cover costs.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces and the archwires that link them are clear or tooth-colored so they don’t stick out as much as metal brackets.
The straightening procedure is the same as metal brackets, although ceramic brackets are prone to staining and break easily. They also cost a bit more — between $3,500 and $8,000 — depending on your place, the work needed, and your insurance coverage.
Invisible Braces
Invisible braces, such as Invisalign, are nearly invisible. They’re implied to be worn by teenagers and adults only.
The clear plastic aligners are customized to fit your mouth. They fit over each tooth like a mouth guard, and are removed and replaced twice monthly. This option isn’t recommended for extreme tooth positioning correction.
Invisible braces may likewise take longer to straighten teeth than conventional braces. They cost between $3,500 and $8,500, depending upon what requires to be done, your place, and your insurance protection.
Numerous companies of this treatment permit regular monthly payment plan options. The Invisalign product is also eligible to be acquired with tax-free health-savings account dollars.
Lingual Braces
The lingual surface area is the side of your teeth that faces your tongue. Lingual braces are another kind of invisible braces. They’re similar to conventional metal braces other than that they connect to the back sides of your teeth.
Lingual braces aren’t for everyone. They’re expensive, costing between $5,000 and $13,000, and tough to tidy. They’re also not usually suggested for seriously misaligned or crooked teeth. These kinds of braces may take longer to work, and be more difficult to get utilized to wearing.
Teeth-straightening Surgery
Surgery for straightening teeth are another option. They may be a way to decrease the quantity of time you require to use braces.
Your orthodontist might suggest a minor surgery created to reposition the bones and gums that assist hold your teeth in place.
They might also suggest a more involved procedure developed to realign your jaw. This is called orthognathic surgery. This kind of surgical treatment might be suggested if your teeth have impacted your speech or chewing ability.
Your out-of-pocket expense for these treatment will be identified by the kind of surgical treatment you have, your area, and your health insurance.
What Should I Expect When I See a Dentist or Orthodontist?
Your dentist might advise that you see a specialist, called an orthodontist. Your mouth, teeth, and jaw will be analyzed and your bite evaluated.
Your orthodontist will want to know about your symptoms, consisting of any popping sounds that you hear when opening or closing your mouth, and any physical discomfort you have while chewing or at other times.
X-rays of your mouth will be taken, and a mold of your teeth will be made.
If you require braces, they will be personalized for you and place on at a later consultation.
Takeaway
Crooked teeth are a typical problem experienced by numerous kids, teens, and adults. They don’t need treatment unless they’re causing health problems or self-esteem issues. The decision to remedy crooked teeth is an individual one.
