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Crooked Teeth - Methods to Address Problems with Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth can be a significant problem for both children and adults. Our smile is one of the features that people notice when they meet us for the first time. Crooked teeth can make that first meeting difficult and in extreme cases, result in insecurity about meeting others.

Causes of Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth can be the result of a mouth with too many adult teeth . Often, as children grow and adult teeth begin to emerge, there is not enough room in the mouth for the new teeth. The result is that teeth shift and move into misalignment and become crooked.

Another reason teeth can become crooked is the result of wisdom teeth emerging in early adulthood. If the wisdom teeth come in sideways or the wrong direction, existing teeth can shift. Also, often there is not enough room in the mouth for the emerging wisdom teeth.

Finally, teeth can become misaligned and crooked as the result of trauma or injury.

Braces and Orthodontic Treatments

For severe cases, the problems with crooked teeth may be resolved by consulting with an orthodontist and getting treatment with braces. Braces may need to be worn for a period of months or years, depending on the severity of the alignment problem. There are several different types of braces available.

Full Metal Braces - these are the most inexpensive type of braces available and consist of metal bands that surround the tooth.

Brackets - brackets are made of ceramic or metal and are glued to the front of the tooth. Ligatures that are used to attach the wires are able to have different colors, which can make them fun for children.

Lingual Braces - these are braces that are attached to the back of the teeth, making them difficult to see.

Invisible Braces - the most popular brand of invisible braces is Invisalign , which are a series of clear plastic trays that are changed every few weeks, slowly shifting the teeth into position.

Veneers, Contouring & Reshaping

For relatively small problems with crooked or misaligned teeth, another option is to reshape or resurface the teeth.

Reshaping and contouring can be done in a cosmetic dentist office, usually in one visit. After taking a photograph, the dentist carefully reshapes the tooth or teeth, shaving off small amounts of tooth enamel and adding small amounts of tooth-colored material to make the teeth uniform and straight in appearance.

Another method of addressing crooked teeth is to use veneers . Often veneers are used in conjunction with reshaping and contouring of teeth. Veneers are thin slices of plastic of porcelain that are attached to the front surface of the teeth and sanded and finished to a high polish, creating a beautiful and even smile, while at the same time eliminating gaps or surface irregularities.

Summary

Crooked teeth can be a substantial problem for both children and adults. In its most severe form, crooked teeth can result in dental problems with decay and cavities , can interfere with social interactions and even cause speech and eating problems. Alignment problems can be addressed by using the services of an orthodontist and braces, or through cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers or reshaping and contouring of teeth.