Do you find yourself smiling and talking less in an effort to conceal your teeth? Is your smile making you less likely to engage with others? Then you might have what they call crowded teeth or dental crowding – a condition that causes your teeth not to fit neatly into your jawline. If your teeth are severely overcrowded, you may find it difficult to brush and floss your teeth, contributing to poor hygiene and deteriorated dental health.
There is, fortunately, a way to correct teeth with deformities, and the cost of treating crowded teeth is affordable. Dental orthodontics can treat dental problems such as overcrowded lower teeth by realigning the teeth and the jaw.
Teeth crowding treatment includes fixed braces and removable aligners.
Orthodontics install and remove fixed braces. The patients can install and remove the removable aligner. Both types of procedures can help patients feel more confident about their smiles. This article will help you understand crowded teeth, crowded teeth causes, why they need treatment, and how to correct them.
What does Crowded Teeth Mean?
In dentistry, crowded teeth or dental crowding refer to the condition of not having sufficient space between your teeth and your jaw. A lack of space in the jaw leads to the development of this problem. With overcrowded teeth, the jaw may be too small, or the teeth could be too large. All people have arches for each of their teeth in their mouth.
Each arch has distinct dimensions, so each tooth should fit properly. A large tooth may not fit into these arches, causing lower teeth crowding and misalignment. Overcrowding teeth is the primary cause of misalignment or a condition known as Malocclusion. Both your upper and lower jaw, as well as your teeth, should be in alignment. Properly aligned teeth have the space to grow without crowding in the bottom teeth or leaving gaps.
In order for teeth to rotate properly, they should touch each other without affecting each other. The top teeth should sit just slightly above the bottom teeth so that all the teeth line up comfortably when biting down. Top teeth crowding occurs when some upper teeth push into lower teeth instead of outside. Wearing down or chipping your teeth can result from a crossbite. In addition, top teeth crowding can cause your gums to recede or form little notches above your gum line.
Depending on the jaw size and the number of teeth, overcrowded lower teeth can either be mild, moderate, or severe.
Mild crowding teeth: If one anterior tooth is rotated slightly, it qualifies as mild crowding.
Moderate crowding teeth: This condition occurs when there are two to three overlapping anterior teeth in the upper or lower jaw.
Severe crowding teeth: In this condition, a majority of the teeth in both jaws overlap each other.
Your alignment, anatomy, and dental health all play a role in your sense of self-confidence. Crooked teeth, bad breath, overcrowded teeth, and misalignments can negatively affect your self-esteem.
Symptoms and Signs of Crowded Teeth.
The symptoms of crowding teeth vary from patient to patient. The severity of the condition determines symptoms. For example, severe crowding teeth can change your facial structure, whereas mild crowding teeth to moderate crowding teeth do not. Patients with crowding teeth often experience the following symptoms:
1. Overlapping teeth
2. Teeth twisting
3. Painful chewing
4. Speaking difficulties
5. Bite discomfort
6. Mouth and jaw pain
7. Headaches
If you are unsure, there are a few ways to determine whether your teeth are crowded.
Signs of dental crowding:
-Tooth alignment is an abnormal angle in the mouth
-Crossbite
-Trouble chewing or biting
-Difficulty flossing and brushing
-Bleeding gums
What causes Crowded Teeth?
A variety of factors can cause crowded teeth. A patient’s age can influence the causes and severity of crowding. For example, adults usually have more severe crowding teeth than children because the condition becomes more severe as we age. Therefore, it is imperative to treat dental crowding as soon as a child displays it. Below are a few crowded teeth causes:
A Family History of Tooth Crowded
Genetic is one of the prominent crowded teeth causes. If crowded teeth run in your family, you are more likely to develop them. Some people’s jaws are small, and their teeth are large, resulting in crowding of the teeth as permanent teeth emerge.
Hyperdontia
Crowded teeth causes include Hyperdontia, so an individual has extra teeth. In general, everyone should have a set number of teeth on each jaw. Some people, however, have additional teeth. Extra teeth often erupt near the points where teeth attach to the jaw.
Large teeth
The arch dimension of some people’s teeth is larger than their teeth. As a result, there is insufficient space in the jaw to fit all the teeth. This means some teeth may be in the front or the back.
Jaw size
The size of the jaw is also one the crowded teeth causes. The condition is more common in people with smaller jaws. The jaw should have a dimension that can house all teeth within the jaws. Thus, small jaws cannot accommodate each tooth properly.
Thumb Sucking
Because children are more likely to suck their thumbs, thumb sucking is a common cause. When babies suck their thumb for an extended period, their teeth move from their original position, leading to misalignment. In certain cases, repositioning may involve some twisting because the jaw is small.
Missing Tooth
Losing primary teeth too late or too early is also a top cause of crowded teeth. This loss will cause your teeth to move to fill the space.
Permanent teeth eruption
If a baby’s teeth do not erupt on time, the baby is likely to have difficulty getting permanent teeth. When this occurs, the jaws are loosened, then the gums tighten back, preventing new permanent teeth from erupting.
Trauma Impact
A forceful impact on your jaw can cause them to twist or become misaligned.
Aging
As we age, the lower jaw teeth move, causing crowded teeth.
Although individual cases may vary, most cases of crowded teeth tend to worsen with age and lead to a wide variety of oral health issues. As a result, patients at Victory Plaza Dental Group in North Hollywood are encouraged to have their overcrowded lower teeth corrected if needed.
How to fix crowded teeth?
The benefits of straight teeth go beyond improving your appearance and self-esteem to improving your oral health as well. Straight teeth, for example, are easier to brush and floss between, so they can improve oral hygiene. By doing this, you can avoid getting cavities and other oral infections. Teeth crowding treatment is important to prevent poor dental health. There are several crowded teeth treatment options for crowding in bottom teeth.
Sometimes, it may be necessary to have one or more teeth removed. However, it is rare for orthodontics to recommend removal. Crowded teeth are most often treated with braces. Some other lower teeth crowding treatment alternatives include clear aligners, veneers, and tooth extractions.
Braces
Braces are a popular orthodontic treatment for crowded teeth. The device is well-known for correcting crooked teeth and other dental problems, such as under-bite, overbite, and jaw position. However, the device can also be highly effective as lower teeth crowding treatment.
A brace comprises wires, brackets, and elastic bands. Materials such as these are key to correcting crowded teeth. Collectively, they continuously press on the teeth.
Metal braces are fixed and must be installed and removed by your orthodontist. It is necessary to wear braces for at least 18 months or up to 36 months before removal. Depending on how severe the condition is, the exact time varies. During that time, patients need to see an orthodontist four to eight times a year.
How Do Braces Work on Crowded Teeth?
Among children, dental braces are the most common treatment option for crowding in the bottom teeth. People wear braces for aesthetic and functional reasons, not just to align the teeth but also to correct their smiles. There are a few crowded teeth treatment options for braces, such as traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear braces.
Metal Braces: Metal braces are a popular means of correcting severe crowding in bottom teeth. It is the most robust material for correcting severe crowding. Dental cement joins each bracket to a tooth in dentistry, and elastic ties connect metal wires and brackets to each tooth. These wires, inserted between brackets, exert constant pressure on the teeth to push them into their proper position.
Ceramic Braces: If you dislike the appearance of metal braces, ceramic braces may be an option for you. Since the brackets and wires are the same color as the tooth, ceramic braces are less noticeable, making them ideal for teens.
Invisalign
As an alternative to fixed braces, clear aligners may be an option. One of the most popular brands is Invisalign. This type of orthodontic treatment corrects crowded teeth and other forms of misalignment. It is also effective for lower crowding treatment. They are virtually invisible, cost about the same, and are a great alternative to braces. Every two weeks, you must change your aligners as part of the treatment. However, only mild or moderate crowding works best with this method and the cost of treating crowded teeth with Invisalign can be expensive.
How long does Invisalign take for crowded teeth?
Depending on the level of crowding, it may take as long as three years.
Does Invisalign Work For Crowded Teeth?
Yes. Like metal braces, Invisalign aligners use clear plastic aligners to move teeth. As Invisalign gradually puts pressure on the teeth, they will gradually move into the correct position. Your orthodontic specialist will take a cast of your jaw and make aligners. Unfortunately, aligners are not effective beyond a specific point. With age, your teeth and jaw change. Wearing aligners for 20 hours a day is required for best results.
Veneers
Veneers are another method of correcting overcrowded teeth. Adding veneers to teeth can help maintain a healthy spacing, but children may not be a suitable candidate for this procedure. When there is mild crowding, veneers can mask twisted teeth. You may need orthodontic treatment before installing veneers so that your teeth are better aligned, which will make it easier for the veneers to do their job.
In cases of overcrowding caused by misaligned jaws, surgery is necessary to correct the problem. The next step in aligning the teeth is to install braces.
Can Veneer Fix Crowded Teeth?
Veneers are thin, tooth-colored coverings that fit over the front surface of the teeth to give them a more attractive appearance. Patients with moderately crowded teeth can benefit from these procedures. Dentists can bond shells to teeth to change their length, size, color, shape, and function. Veneers cost more than braces or clear aligners, but they require fewer office visits.
Extraction
Is your crowding severe, and do extra teeth contribute to it? If yes, consider this option. An oral surgeon can advise extraction of teeth that emerge outside the arch. Following extraction, you can use any of the other three options to straighten the alignment.
Crowded teeth before and after
Consider looking at crowded teeth before and after pictures when learning more about crowded teeth and treatment options.
What is the best treatment option for crowded teeth?
Answering this question will depend on the level of crowding and your current financial situation. Because of its safety and effectiveness, orthodontic treatment, which includes braces, aligners, veneers, and tooth extraction, is usually the best option. Furthermore, many patients can afford them, and they are highly effective.
Conclusion
At Victory Plaza Dental Group in North Hollywood, we focus on transforming each patient’s smiles. Besides treating crowded teeth, we also offer orthodontic treatment. Our dentists explain crowded teeth to patients and discuss treatment options with them.
Upon completion of your treatment, we ensure that you are satisfied with the results. Each individual should have confidence in their smile. By seeking treatment for overcrowded teeth as early as possible, you can reduce the length of the treatment and gain confidence more quickly.